Small and medium sized companies in Europe : environmental performance, competitiveness, and management : international EU case studies

1. 1 Aims and Objectives The major aim of this research is to identify and weigh the importance of factors that promote and constrain, the adoption of environmental initiatives by small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The objective is to inform how policy can overcome obstacles so as to promote the adoption of cleaner technology (includ­ ing environmentally sensitive products (Oosterhuis et al. 1996)) by industry. Cen­ tral to the research is the testing of a set of hypotheses, which, inter alia, relate the adoption of cleaner technologies to competitiveness, management culture and the importance of the provision of information. The manufacturing sectors consid­ ered are those dominated by SMEs where product and process environmental re­ sponse by the firm is important. Of these sectors, furniture, textile finishing, and fruit and vegetable processing were chosen. More specifically the focus is on European SMEs i. e. those employing less than 250 employees. ' Variations within the EU with respect to environmental regulation are exemplified by a study of firms (and plants) across four member states: Germany, North-east Italy, Republic of Ireland and the United Kingdom. The adoption of clean technologies has been slow and uneven and action has mainly involved good housekeeping. Major changes involving large capital spend­ ing, or material substitution, process redesign or reformulation have been rela­ tively rare (OECD 1985, 1995; Ashford 1993). The problem is particularly acute amongst SMEs (and the majority of enterprises are SMEs; e. g. The environmental performance of SMEs (Small and Medium Sized Enterprises) is an area of major policy concern. Environmental Performance in Small and Medium Sized Companies reports on factors influencing the environmental performance of SMEs across four European countries: the UK, Ireland, Germany and Italy. While there are a range of factors that are expected to influence the implementation of clean technology, this book focuses on three key hypotheses, namely firm competitiveness, culture and the use and availability of information and advice. In addition, a range of other factors likely to promote or constrain the adoption of clean technology is considered. The report is remarkably realistic because it is based on in-depth interviews in 300 SMEs and an additional postal survey with more than 800 replies. The EU firms surveyed span wide variations in environmental policy stringency, firm capability and markets served

The environmental performance of SMEs (Small and Medium sized Enterprises) is an area of major policy concern. SMEs in Europe reports on factors influencing the environmental performance of SMEs across four European countries: the UK, Ireland, Germany and Italy. While there are a range of factors which are expected to influence the take up of clean technology, this book focuses on three key hypotheses, namely firm competitiveness, culture and use and availability of information and advice. The book is unique as it is based on in-depths interviews conducted in 300 SMEs and an additional postal survey with more than 800 replies.

Front Matter....Pages I-XIII Study Background....Pages 1-10 Method....Pages 11-23 Industrial Sectors Considered....Pages 25-35 Furniture Industry....Pages 37-73 Textile Finishing Industry....Pages 75-115 Fruit & Vegetable Processing Industry....Pages 117-159 Sources of Advice (SOA)....Pages 161-184 Cultural Attitudes....Pages 185-204 Summary and Conclusions....Pages 205-225 Back Matter....Pages 227-237