TY - JOUR

T1 - The Role of Top Managers in Implementing Corporate Sustainability - A Systematic Literature Review on Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

AU - Kutzschbach, Jannika

AU - Tanikulova, Parvina

AU - Lueg, Rainer

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.

PY - 2021/6

Y1 - 2021/6

N2 - This systematic literature review investigates whether corporate sustainability (CS), according to the tribble bottom line concept (TBL), is implemented in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and further identifies associated drivers. Building on upper echelon theory (UET) and the Schwartz value system (SVS) this study aims to analyze and contextualize extant empirical research. We developed a PRISMA-based framework to select relevant studies systematically. Based on an initial sample of 1249 articles between 2000 and 2020, we provide critical analysis of 31 best practice, peer-reviewed journal articles. Our findings suggest seven specifications of CS in SMEs that are driven by either internal or external motivations. Our review reveals that, overwhelmingly, SMEs engage in CS but fail to report it (“green blushing”). Furthermore, we find that the top managers of SMEs are a huge driver of CS. Oftentimes, they are even pioneers of good social and environmental practices. Finally, we identify four value dimensions (benevolence, achievement, power, and conformity values) according to the dimensions of the SVS that drive SMEs’ top managers’ engagement in CS. We contribute to the current state of research by conducting the first literature review that exclusively investigates how SMEs’ executives influence the enterprise’s commitment towards CS, based on the UET and the SVS. Thereby, we discuss implications and provide valuable recommendations for researchers, practitioners, and regulators alike.

AB - This systematic literature review investigates whether corporate sustainability (CS), according to the tribble bottom line concept (TBL), is implemented in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and further identifies associated drivers. Building on upper echelon theory (UET) and the Schwartz value system (SVS) this study aims to analyze and contextualize extant empirical research. We developed a PRISMA-based framework to select relevant studies systematically. Based on an initial sample of 1249 articles between 2000 and 2020, we provide critical analysis of 31 best practice, peer-reviewed journal articles. Our findings suggest seven specifications of CS in SMEs that are driven by either internal or external motivations. Our review reveals that, overwhelmingly, SMEs engage in CS but fail to report it (“green blushing”). Furthermore, we find that the top managers of SMEs are a huge driver of CS. Oftentimes, they are even pioneers of good social and environmental practices. Finally, we identify four value dimensions (benevolence, achievement, power, and conformity values) according to the dimensions of the SVS that drive SMEs’ top managers’ engagement in CS. We contribute to the current state of research by conducting the first literature review that exclusively investigates how SMEs’ executives influence the enterprise’s commitment towards CS, based on the UET and the SVS. Thereby, we discuss implications and provide valuable recommendations for researchers, practitioners, and regulators alike.

KW - SMEs top manager

KW - corporate sustainability

KW - small business

KW - social responsibility

KW - upper echelon theory

KW - Schwartz Value System

KW - adoption

KW - diffusion theory

KW - entrepreneurship

KW - greenblushing

KW - Management studies

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85117225010&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/6ed2781c-6d7b-3f88-a5c5-8fd3fbd1a8ec/

U2 - 10.3390/admsci11020044

DO - 10.3390/admsci11020044

M3 - Scientific review articles

VL - 11

JO - Administrative Sciences

JF - Administrative Sciences

SN - 2076-3387

IS - 2

M1 - 44

ER -