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Sustainability and Small to Medium Sized Enterprises - How to Engage Them

Sustainability and Small to Medium Sized Enterprises - How to Engage Them AbstractSmall and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) have a major advantage over larger organisations in regard to addressing sustainability issues – their size means they are able to react very quickly to changes in the business environment. They are disadvantaged, however, by lack of information on marketplace changes that make sustainability an opportunity to innovate, and to inspire employees. While some SMEs are leaders in sustainable practices, others lack the sort of strategic mindset which views changes in the business environment as opportunities – seeing the tasks which require more change as an additional burden, rather than a source of potential advantage.The National Centre for Sustainability has worked with a group of SMEs (with sponsorship through a Research Agreement with Sensis) in a series of workshop environments. Through this work a set of indicators was developed to measure their progress towards more sustainable practices. Key members of industry associations and government agencies were engaged in an advisory capacity to ensure that the work undertaken was relevant and innovative.In addition, a comprehensive industry research study was undertaken to determine the key priorities for business and government relating to sustainability. This work provided insight into the needs and trends in sustainable practices in various sectors including manufacturing, service industry, education and government. The outcomes of the research have determined the need to develop flexible, adult centric and work-based learning models to educate for sustainability and create organisational change.This paper explores the value of innovative and engaging educational practices to create an environment which is most conducive to facilitating the implementation of economic, environmental and social aspects ofwork practices. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Australian Journal of Environmental Education Cambridge University Press

Sustainability and Small to Medium Sized Enterprises - How to Engage Them

Australian Journal of Environmental Education , Volume 20 (1): 11 – Jun 23, 2015
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Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2004
ISSN
2049-775X
eISSN
0814-0626
DOI
10.1017/S0814062600002305
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

AbstractSmall and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) have a major advantage over larger organisations in regard to addressing sustainability issues – their size means they are able to react very quickly to changes in the business environment. They are disadvantaged, however, by lack of information on marketplace changes that make sustainability an opportunity to innovate, and to inspire employees. While some SMEs are leaders in sustainable practices, others lack the sort of strategic mindset which views changes in the business environment as opportunities – seeing the tasks which require more change as an additional burden, rather than a source of potential advantage.The National Centre for Sustainability has worked with a group of SMEs (with sponsorship through a Research Agreement with Sensis) in a series of workshop environments. Through this work a set of indicators was developed to measure their progress towards more sustainable practices. Key members of industry associations and government agencies were engaged in an advisory capacity to ensure that the work undertaken was relevant and innovative.In addition, a comprehensive industry research study was undertaken to determine the key priorities for business and government relating to sustainability. This work provided insight into the needs and trends in sustainable practices in various sectors including manufacturing, service industry, education and government. The outcomes of the research have determined the need to develop flexible, adult centric and work-based learning models to educate for sustainability and create organisational change.This paper explores the value of innovative and engaging educational practices to create an environment which is most conducive to facilitating the implementation of economic, environmental and social aspects ofwork practices.

Journal

Australian Journal of Environmental Education – Cambridge University Press

Published: Jun 23, 2015

Keywords: Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs); sustainability; environment; education; business; research; adult learning principles; action based research; sustainable practices; work-based learning models; change management; social marketing.

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