The role of environmental incentives in greening the small and medium-sized enterprises: a developing economy perspective
Management of Environmental Quality
ISSN: 1477-7835
Article publication date: 8 April 2022
Issue publication date: 6 July 2022
Abstract
Purpose
The utilisation of market-based approaches (MBAs) than command-control approaches (CCAs) is still at the embryonic stage to stimulate the green behaviour of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing economies. The study aims to elucidate the association between environmental incentives (EIs), green responsiveness (GR) and environmental performance (EP).
Design/methodology/approach
A quantitative dominant research design is adopted with qualitative support. The study model is developed by integrating legitimacy theory (LT) and the natural resource-based view (NRBV). The cross-sectional data were gathered from the upper echelon of 395 SMEs in Sri Lanka, and 10 subsequent interviews were conducted. The partial least squares approach of structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was used to evaluate the hypothesised relationships.
Findings
The results found evidence to demonstrate that EIs positively link with GR and EP and GR mediates this association. Further, the study revealed that although MBAs are established, the SME sector is less aware of EIs such as tax concessions, tax reliefs, low interest, soft loans and discounts on eco-materials.
Practical implications
The results provide valuable insights to enhance environmental sustainability. The owners of SMEs should strategically use environmental inducements to overcome resource poverty to engage in green practices. The regulators and policymakers should develop the incentive policies and provide the mechanisms to disseminate the required skills and technologies to SMEs.
Originality/value
According to the authors' best knowledge, this is one of the pioneering empirical studies on EIs, GR and EP with mediating effects in Sri Lanka.
Keywords
Citation
Rajapakse, R.M.D.A.P., Azam, S.M.F. and Khatibi, A. (2022), "The role of environmental incentives in greening the small and medium-sized enterprises: a developing economy perspective", Management of Environmental Quality, Vol. 33 No. 5, pp. 1167-1186. https://doi.org/10.1108/MEQ-10-2021-0239
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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