Sustainability of small and medium-sized enterprises in Hong Kong : drivers and the moderating role of social network

Abstract

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are major economic actors and employers; they play a vital role in societies all over the world. Their participation and involvement are thus essential to the pursuit of sustainability. Over the past decade, academic and policy analysts have explored how to persuade or incentivize SMEs to join the sustainability bandwagon. Understanding what motivates them to pursue sustainability has important policy implications. This study advances this strand of research by identifying internal and external drivers of SMEs' sustainability practices—particularly whether (and how) their social networks might condition the impact of these drivers on the enterprises' sustainability practices. This study is conducted in Hong Kong, an important financial center in Asia; its conclusions have valuable insights for other countries in the region.