TY - JOUR

T1 - Can B Corp certification anchor sustainability in SMEs?

AU - Carvalho, Bruna

AU - Wiek, Arnim

AU - Ness, Barry

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2021 The Authors. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management published by ERP Environment and John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

PY - 2022/1/1

Y1 - 2022/1/1

N2 - B Corp certification is considered a viable instrument to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in adopting sustainable practices. However, there is a lack of evidence to what extent this instrument can anchor sustainability at the core of SMEs. This study investigates the B Corp certification process of a SME, a craft brewery in southern Sweden, regarding the extent to which it helped infusing sustainability into the business’ mission, practices, corporate form, certificates, and capacities. Results show that the B Impact Assessment, as part of the certification process, positively influenced the business’ mission, practices, and capacities. Limited influence on social commitment and adoption of a sustainable corporate form can be explained through regulatory context and time required for deep organizational change. To enhance the effectiveness of B Corp certification, we recommend making it even more adaptable to different geographical and social contexts and increase focus on impact business models.

AB - B Corp certification is considered a viable instrument to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in adopting sustainable practices. However, there is a lack of evidence to what extent this instrument can anchor sustainability at the core of SMEs. This study investigates the B Corp certification process of a SME, a craft brewery in southern Sweden, regarding the extent to which it helped infusing sustainability into the business’ mission, practices, corporate form, certificates, and capacities. Results show that the B Impact Assessment, as part of the certification process, positively influenced the business’ mission, practices, and capacities. Limited influence on social commitment and adoption of a sustainable corporate form can be explained through regulatory context and time required for deep organizational change. To enhance the effectiveness of B Corp certification, we recommend making it even more adaptable to different geographical and social contexts and increase focus on impact business models.

KW - business sustainability

KW - capacity building for sustainability

KW - impact business models

KW - sustainability certification

KW - Sustainability Science

KW - Transdisciplinary studies

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85112384239&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - https://www.mendeley.com/catalogue/bc84e697-a274-3890-81ef-9d7b6747ba3b/

U2 - 10.1002/csr.2192

DO - 10.1002/csr.2192

M3 - Journal articles

AN - SCOPUS:85112384239

VL - 29

SP - 293

EP - 304

JO - Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management

JF - Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management

SN - 1535-3958

IS - 1

ER -