The combination of contextual, organizational and individual factors as a determinant of SMEs sensitivity to sustainable development
Research concerning SMEs and sustainable development (SD) has witness a lot of papers during the past 10 years. These works have clarified some key-concepts and has generated new facts about barriers to SMEs commitment and the benefits related to it. Despite this volume of work, our knowledge about factors that favor this commitment is still limited. Considering that, it becomes interesting and pertinent to find out whether there are some other factors influencing SMEs’ commitment ? This research question is legitimate by government and support agencies needs to better support SMEs as far as SD implementation is concerned, and by the fact that SMEs involvement is necessary for a more effective SD agenda. Our survey of 314 SMEs’ owner-managers in Québec reveals that SMEs sensitivity to SD is influenced by a combination of contextual, organizational and individual factors. Thus, effective support to SMEs in this area requires actions on the contexts in which they operate, namely regional bodies operating where they are located, on their organizational capacities, particularly those related to innovation, and on the owner-manager’s values. However, these actions should be adjusted to SMEs’ size, which is a key contingency factor.