Evaluating the small and medium sized enterprises motivating factors and influencing barriers about adoption of green practices

Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) play a vital role in the an country’s economic growth. Several developed nations have adopted environment friendly practices in their enterprises recently and due to rise in CO2 emission and increase in temperature immediate environment friendly practices are needed to be implemented globally. SMEs in developing countries are still in struggle for green practices adoption. SMEs in developing country like Pakistan need to implement green practices for a number of reasons. In order to fill the existing research gap, this research study aims to explore the key drivers motivating SMEs (especially food industry) to adopt green practices, further our research study is aiming at identify the major barriers hinder green practices implementation. Based on the extensive review of existing literature and experts’ opinions and by utilizing Delphi method, a total 13 key drivers that motivate green practices implementation and 25 major barriers hindering adoption of green practices were identified. By the experts’ recommendations, all the key drivers and major barriers influencing green practices adoption were ranked. Findings of our study showed that among the key drivers “Financial assistance/support from government” was the highest ranked key driver motivating SMEs to adopt green/environment-friendly practices followed by “Organizational commitment”, “Promotion of green practices” and “Proper training about green practices”. Results of our study further revealed that “Limited financial resources” was the highest ranked barrier hindering SMEs green practices adoption among 25 barriers followed by “Lack of HR capabilities”, “Loose organizational structure” and “Lack of resources”, respectively. Based on our research study findings, we propose a number of green/environment-friendly practices that overcome the barriers currently SMEs sector is facing. Our this study findings are anticipated to benefit authorities and enterprises to focus on the implementation of green/environment-friendly practices and formulate the necessary solutions to overwhelmed barriers hindering SMEs growth and adoption of green practices.