Innovative Business Model for SMEs Sustainability

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, there has been a surge of interest in novel business models for the long-term viability of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Academic research has focused on the role of business sustainability and innovation in SMEs (Bos-Brouwers, 2009; Yang and Jang, 2020), the impact of organizational values and business model innovation on financial performance (Yang and Jang, 2020), the adoption of technological innovation for sustainable growth (Bahador and Ibrahim, 2021), the impact of organizational culture on sustainable growth (Nimfa, 2021), and the mediating effect of organizational culture on sustainable growth (Nimfa, 2021), 2021; Rodhiah and Hidayah, 2022).

Collaboration between SMEs, government agencies, and other stakeholders has also been identified as a crucial factor in creating sustainable business practices (Sholihah et al., 2023).

In addition, research has examined the dimensions and elements that influence the innovative activities of agricultural SMEs toward sustainable development (Korau et al., 2020), the readiness of SMEs for eco-innovation and industrial symbiosis (Pigosso et al., 2018), and the role of entrepreneurs' emotional intelligence in the long-term business success of SMEs (Karia, 2020).

This Special Issue seeks to explore the creative business models that small businesses can develop and implement to enhance their competitive advantage, operational efficiency, financial success, and long-term profitability.

It further explores how small businesses can integrate sustainability into their business plans to balance social equity, environmental protection, and economic growth.

To this end, innovative methods such as circular economy models, the application of renewable energy sources, waste management, and social entrepreneurship are explored.

The aim of this Special Issue is to present novel business strategies and models that may be employed by small businesses to become more sustainable. In this way, we aim to explore and identify the challenges that SMEs face regarding the implementation innovative and sustainable business strategies. The submission of original papers and reviews to this Special Issue is welcome.

Research areas that address innovative business models for SMEs include technological, financial, regulatory, market dynamics, corporate culture, and other factors.

The scope of this Special Issue includes the following topics:

- Sustainability-oriented innovation in SMEs;

- Digitalization and sustainability in SMEs;

- Circular economy models in SMEs;

- Resilience and adaptability of SMEs;

- Sustainable supply chain management in SMEs;

- Social impact of entrepreneurship in SMEs;

- SMEs and localized economies;

- The role of leadership and organizational culture in SME sustainability;

- Building capacity for sustainability in SMEs;

- Further key topics on current issues and future trends in business models for SMEs.

Thank you for your continued cooperation and active participation, and I look forward to your contributions to this upcoming Special Issue.

References:

Bahador, M., Ibrahim, S. (2021). Technology Innovations Toward Sustainable Growth Of Small Medium Enterprise (Smes): Aftermath Covid-19 Pandemic. IJARBSS, 2(11). https://doi.org/10.6007/ijarbss/v11-i2/9199.

Bos-Brouwers, H. (2009). Corporate Sustainability and Innovation In Smes: Evidence Of Themes And Activities In Practice. Bus. Strat. Env., n/a-n/a. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.652.

Hernita, H., Surya, B., Perwira, I., Abubakar, H., Idris, M. (2021). Economic Business Sustainability and Strengthening Human Resource Capacity Based On Increasing The Productivity Of Small And Medium Enterprises (Smes) In Makassar City, Indonesia. Sustainability, 6(13), 3177. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13063177.

Karia, N. (2020). A Comparative Benchmark Model For Smes: Viable Entrepreneur Emotional Intelligence. BIJ, 3(28), 813-829. https://doi.org/10.1108/bij-06-2020-0291.

Korauš, A., Havierniková, K., Gombár, M., Černák, F., Felcan, M. (2020). Dimensions and Their Elements Affecting The Innovative Activities Of Agricultural Smes Toward Their Sustainable Development. JESI, 2(8), 1142-1157. https://doi.org/10.9770/jesi.2020.8.2(68).

Nimfa, D. (2021). Effect Of Organisational Culture On Sustainable Growth Of Smes: Mediating Role Of Innovation Competitive Advantage. JIBM, 1-19. https://doi.org/10.37227/jibm-2021-01-156.

Peter, D., Chin, K., Chin, K. (2021). Sustainable Business Practices In Manufacturing Smes: the Mediating Effect Of Dynamic Capabilities. Int Social Sci J, 243(72), 73-89. https://doi.org/10.1111/issj.12303.

Pigosso, D., Schmiegelow, A., Andersen, M. (2018). Measuring the Readiness Of Smes For Eco-innovation And Industrial Symbiosis: Development Of A Screening Tool. Sustainability, 8(10), 2861. https://doi.org/10.3390/su10082861.

Rodhiah, R., Hidayah, N. (2022). Sustainable Development Innovation “The Effect Of Flexible Hrm Behavior On Sme Innovation”. economit, 4(1), 231-240. https://doi.org/10.33258/economit.v1i4.589.

Sholihah, D., Naufal, M., Ariescy, R. (2023). Innovative Response Cultural Fashion Smes Towards Sustainable Business. TIJAB, 1(7), 59-72. https://doi.org/10.20473/tijab.v7.i1.2023.42210.

Yang, S., Jang, S. (2020). How Does Corporate Sustainability Increase Financial Performance For Small- and Medium-sized Fashion Companies: Roles Of Organizational Values And Business Model Innovation. Sustainability, 24(12), 10322. https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410322.

Dr. Christos Lemonakis
Guest Editor

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• business model innovation
• digital transformation
• sustainable development
• circular economy
• tourism sustainability
• digital transformation
• corporate social responsibility (CSR)
• leadership and organizational culture
• resilience and adaptability