Sustainability of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Hong Kong: Drivers and the Moderating Role of Social Network
Published in Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 2025
Our study examines what drives small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to adopt sustainability practices, and how social networks shape these dynamics. Using survey data from 1,400 SMEs in Hong Kong, we find that internal drivers such as responsibility, commitment, and a clear sustainability mission, and external pressures like regulation and customer demand, significantly influence sustainability efforts. Crucially, our study shows that SMEs with stronger social network engagement benefit more from external drivers, especially in areas like environmental management, innovation, and social contribution. These findings highlight the need for policy approaches that not only provide support but also strengthen SME networks to enhance sustainability outcomes.
Citation as: Ruiyu ZHANG, Lin Nie, and Wai-Fung Lam. (2025). "Sustainability of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Hong Kong: Drivers and the Moderating Role of Social Network." Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.3207. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.3207