Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Sustainable Development: In the Shadows of Large Lead Firms in Global Value Chains

Journal of International Business Policy, 4 (1), 80-101. https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-020-00089-z

The University of Auckland Business School Research Paper

45 Pages Posted: 3 Feb 2021 Last revised: 17 Mar 2021

See all articles by Noemi Sinkovics

Noemi Sinkovics

University of Glasgow - Adam Smith Business School

Rudolf R Sinkovics

University of Glasgow

Jason Archie-Acheampong

Rush Group Limited

Date Written: 2021

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to shed light on the potential contribution of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and derive implications for policy makers based on the insights. Our findings indicate that despite their comparatively smaller size, SMEs can contribute significantly to the achievement of the SDGs. We conclude that both lead firms and policy makers need to take a more differentiated approach in their interactions with SMEs. Instead of universally regarding smaller firms as standard takers, lead firms and policy makers need to acknowledge that they can make a significant contribution to standard-setting and standard-adapting efforts. Consequently, SMEs need to be regarded as an important resource in multi-stakeholder initiatives regarding the SDGs.

Keywords: sustainable development goals (SDGs), global value chains, small-and-medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), multinational enterprises (MNEs), responsible business, flexible pattern matching

Suggested Citation

Sinkovics, Noemi and Sinkovics, Rudolf R and Archie-Acheampong, Jason, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and Sustainable Development: In the Shadows of Large Lead Firms in Global Value Chains (2021). Journal of International Business Policy, 4 (1), 80-101. https://doi.org/10.1057/s42214-020-00089-z , The University of Auckland Business School Research Paper, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3778426

Noemi Sinkovics (Contact Author)

University of Glasgow - Adam Smith Business School ( email )

Glasgow, Scotland
United Kingdom

Rudolf R Sinkovics

University of Glasgow ( email )

Adam Smith Business School
Glasgow, Scotland G12 8QQ
United Kingdom

HOME PAGE: http://https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/business/staff/rudolfsinkovics/

Jason Archie-Acheampong

Rush Group Limited ( email )

13 St. Swithin’s Lane
London, EC4N 8AL
United Kingdom
+4402076456750 (Phone)

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