Promoting Green Practices in Micro-Businesses: A Study of Drivers and Barriers

The importance of implementing green practices in micro-businesses is emphasized, as it can lead to economic success and environmental sustainability. SMEs are advised to focus on the different alternatives of green concepts available and implement them within their firms to obtain the best results. Additionally, it is suggested that further research be conducted on the drivers of green activities within micro-businesses, particularly in large-scale companies. The study highlights the need for entrepreneurs to develop innovative ideas to implement green practices, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable environment.

Research Application in
Global Business

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

Parry, S.(2012): Going Green: the evolution of micro-business environmental practices.
Business Ethics: a European Review. Volume 21 Number 2, April 2012.
INTRODUCTION
In the present research it can be evaluated that undertaking the process through which
micro-businesses 'go green'. However, in general greening is considered as the dynamic process
through which motivations, drivers and support needs can be changed as activities develop. Such
concept helps in understanding the support mechanisms in order to ensure that small and micro
businesses are wholly involved within the green revolution. Further, the green revolution concept
helps in undertaking effectual steps with the aim to minimize total environmental impact and
attain environmental sustainability (Kirkwood and Walton, 2014). Also, businesses are required
to involve changes within firm's products, processes and policies such as minimizing energy
consumption and waste generation. At the end, it can be stated that small businesses are required
to undertake green management practices and become social responsibility.
TASK 1
As per the view of Fassin and et. al., (2015), it can be assessed that proper research is
required to be carried out in order to examine the value and credibility of research into corporate
social responsibility with small businesses. It can be evaluated that research fall under five
different categories. These are as follows-
 Questioning the work regarding value and credibility of research into corporate social
responsibility within small businesses
 Comparing the work differences among small and large businesses
 Acknowledging the characteristics of owner – manager and others involved within
business
 Focusing on the evolution of growth of small and medium sized firms (Govindan and et,
al,, 2014).
 Looking at the influences on Corporate Social Responsibility within small businesses.
Thus, under this particular study focus in kept on understanding the evolution and growth
of SME's and how socially responsible activities may alter as business attains growth. Further, it
can be assessed that small businesses are required to undertake go green concept as it helps them
to attain growth and sustainability as per the (North and Nurse, 2014).

Corporate Greening
Corporate greening is the best method that helps in identifying motives for corporate
greening within large scale businesses. However, through carrying out such research regarding
green revolution which requires specific drivers so that best results can be attained. There are
four different ares of motivation i.e. legislation, stakeholder pressure, economic opportunity and
ethical motives. However, all these research shows that motivation is the best method to attain
desired outcomes. According to Rizzi and et. al., (2014), it is essential to examine the motives of
environmentally responsible behavior it is crucial to establish that how motivations may differ
among varied businesses and situations and attain motivation among workforce. Further, with the
help of carrying out research it states that the relationships between alternative motivations and
the different forms of ecological responsiveness might be found within organization. However,
organizations are required to identify the significance of understanding motivations for greening
within small or medium businesses so that growth can be attained. For instance, there were
varied surveys conducted within businesses in order to identify the result of motivation within
firm so that corporate greening can be attained. Thus, it has been evaluated that motives and
social initiatives vary across businesses therefore, it is crucial for firm to undertake effective
policies and systems so that best outcomes can be generated (Radwan, Jones and Minoli, 2012).
However, Stevens and et. al., (2012), argued that businesses in different sizes will
respond to environmental issues within varied ways. Thus, it has been assessed that SME's are
significantly different from larger companies and as a result it motivates businesses to undertake
the best environmental practices with the aim to gain outcomes. Hence, it is crucial for large
businesses to evaluate the way of motivations which is different within small organizations
regarding greening practices.
Greening within SME's
As per the opinion of Moorthy and et. al., (2012), it can be identified that ethical
motivation is the crucial method that helps in grabbing attention of the small businesses.
However, because of this factor it helps in making effectual decisions so that entrepreneur can
attain desired goals. Also, the relationship among owner-manager need to follow ethical attitude
so that business follows ethical practices to attain targets. Furthermore, within business it has
been assessed that the formation of green strategies within small businesses has been found to be
closely connected to the ethical practices of business managers. Thus, the ethical standards

followed by the owner-manager that seems to be the main form of motivation while the greening
practices. Also, it is essential for owner and manager of business to develop effectual
relationship among them so that best decision regarding greening can be made and attain results.
Both the owner and manager of the small business enterprises should develop awareness
regarding the business environmental impacts in order to carry out green concept within firm
(Tatoglu, Bayraktar and Arda, 2015).
Micro businesses
According to the view point of Luthra and et. al., (2014), it has been identified that there
are varied businesses who are working on the concept of go green and thus attain best results in
the form of sales and profits. For instance, manager of firms are now-a-days focusing on
implementing sustainable practices so that innovations can be the best motivator to attain
success. For instance, within varied Korean manufacturing SME's greening concept is the best
focused on organizational changes so that they can become greener and identify different
economic factors that drive such changes. Further, it is crucial for managers to have both ethical
and economic success so that best motivation can be attained. Here, it has been assessed that the
environmental responsibility differentiates within smaller and larger firms. As within SME it
involves a range of different businesses i.e. medium, small and micro that possess differences
within approaches to social responsibility (Mazur, 2012). Thus, it can be stated that manager of
small businesses are required to focus more on establishing environmental practices so that
business can expand over time.
TASK 2
According to the view point of Moorthy (2012), it can be evaluated that the requirement
of developing green practices within micro businesses helps in attaining growth objectives within
SME's. However, now-a-days small businesses are becoming more socially responsible so that
evolution and growth of green practices within micro businesses. There are varied businesses
who are focusing on building environmental sustainability so that micro business can flourish.
Another Renwick, Redman and Maguire, (2013), argued that it is appropriate with the aim to
focus upon particular geographical area when dealing with small firms in which they operate.
For this particular study it is essential for scholar to determine different specific requirements
such as business size, location, engaging within green activity etc. proper sampling approach was
undertaken. However, selective sampling can be stated as the calculated decision to sample a

particular locale or type of interview as per the reasonable set of dimensions. As the sample
selection concentrated upon the businesses that were explicit regarding their green activities
either through membership of some business or through their marketing.
As per the Mathiyazhagan, Govindan and Noorul Haq, (2014), it is essential for
researcher to effectively collect the sample size from different businesses that best fit the green
enterprise criteria. However, there are certain practices that aims that the study is not required to
measure the level of green activities but gain an insight into the influences and evolution
processes. Further, the manager and owner of business is required to evaluate the effectiveness of
green concept within firm so that best practice can be carried out. It also assists firm to
implement such practices as it helps in making the best use and thus carry out the best activities
within business. The owner and manager of small business can collect the data through different
activities i.e. newspapers, magazine articles regarding their green activities. However, Dodds and
et. al., (2013), argued that the main role played by the owner and manager in developing green
concept within business and motivate others to use it so that best results can be obtained.
Furthermore, the semi-structured interview format ensured that it is essential for background data
regarding the businesses were collected and that important themes were explored. While, at the
same time it allowed a flexibility criteria that left spaces for themes in order to develop and thus
carry out richness of data to be collected in order to carry out the interview process.
According to the view of Witczak and et. al., (2014), there should be a meeting
conducted of various small business entrepreneurs in order to develop the concept of green
business so that sustainability can be developed within firm. However, within such meetings and
conferences issues relating to green activities within businesses should be discussed so that they
can come to a valid decision. Further, all the businesses possess websites so that interviews can
be conducted on them and also reviews can be gathered from clients regarding the following of
green concept and thus obtain improvement for the same. Also, SME's are required to publish
varied brochures and newspapers articles that helps in providing the best useful information to
customers regarding the following of going green concept within entity. Further, exploratory
research has been conducted on the sample collected from both micro and small businesses
following going green concept. However, there are varied issues related to the adoption of
sustainable practices in order to ascertain different types of businesses and highlight the offering
of product that attracts consumers effectively (Mohapatra, 2013).

However, Gunasekaran, Subramanian and Rahman, (2015), argued that it is essential for
business to attain varied objectives by carrying out the research and attaining results. Here, the
owners of small businesses need to determine the requirements of going green concept within
enterprise so that best practices can be followed. As it helps firm to build brand image of firm in
market and thus attain desired results. Further, owners of firm are required to develop a
structured interview schedule which covered the following issues such as the nature of the
business and the owner managers aspirations regarding the businesses, its impact upon the
environmental practices and thus attain desired results. Hence, different research methods needs
to be ascertained so that small business owners are required to develop a wide range of industries
i.e. manufacturing, services and primary production helps in facilitating growth and success
within market. Thus, it can be evaluated that green concept is the best method that helps SME's
to obtain desired results in the form of environment sustainability (Vincenza Ciasullo and Troisi,
2013).
TASK 3
According to the opinion of Gregori (2014), it can be stated that this particular research
can be concluded in the form of a composite sequence analysis in order to gain a progressive
hierarchy of practices within the businesses and attain greening process. Also, there are different
models that shows that each business began engaging within green activities from on of two
different business perspectives following three phases of greening. It has been articulated that
there are varied SME's who are facing issues regarding following green concept. However, it is
essential for firms to follow such concepts in order to incorporate environmental friendly
practices and thus attain desired results. However, Eyraud (2011), argued that it is significant for
businesses to overview the concept of green energy so that economic focus can be attained and
market share can be improved. Within the first phase i.e. exploration which si the development
model that has been regarded as being green. Here, the businesses is still establishing its market,
its identity and the scope of its activities. However, the business strategy may not be firmly
established and therefore the activities are exploratory and subject to feedback from the market.
Further, such concept helps business in saving cost and thus business leads to develop
greening concept. Also, a primary route of motivation is being developed at the time of saving
money so that energy saving and cost saving measures can be implemented in order to attain
desired results. Moreover, businesses also develop value driven focus in order to build better

environmental intention and thus provide green products within market (Kirkwood and Walton,
2014). Moreover, personal ethics is required to be followed by business that appears to be an
overriding factor in determining that business actually engages within environmental friendly
practices so that desired results can be attained. According to the opinion of Moorthy and et. al.,
(2012), it can be assessed that it is essential for firm to obtain going green concept so that
environmental sustainability can be developed in order to achieve desired results. However, the
owner and manager of firm is required to follow proper ethical beliefs so that best ethics can be
followed within firm. Also, it is crucial for businesses to follow formal environmental policies so
that businesses can run its operations smoothly. However, for such businesses it is crucial for
them to develop its own green concept policies and thus attain economic focus. On the other
hand, SME's are also required to focus upon the different environmental policies and thus
implement it within firm in order to attain desired outcomes.
As per the opinion of Rizzi and et. al., (2014), it can be evaluated that small businesses
are required to obtain green business model so that companies can examine a slight evolution
process in order to offer a quality product to clients and at a minimum price. Also, through
following such concept within firm it assists business to develop value proposition so that
demand of such product increases within market. Green business enterprises also focuses their
attention not only upon combination of tangible products and services but in order to understand
the concept of customer. It also helps firm to give tough competition to rivals in the form of
competitive prices and better quality products. SME's are focusing upon operating innovative
concept so that best products can be delivered to people. Thus, it can be concluded that small
businesses are required to focus upon green concept and thus continues to show positive
prospects in order to develop and maintain a long term growth. However, going green requires
huge investment therefore, owner and manager are required to make strategic decisions so that
they could come to know about the willingness regarding investing money, time and energy to
obtain results (Tatoglu, Bayraktar and Arda, 2015).
TASK 4
As per the opinion of Fassin and et. al., (2015), it can be stated that SME's faces issues in
regard to investing money for implementing going green concept. Thus, the owner and manager
is required to be motivated in order to collect funds and implement the innovative technology
that helps in reducing the environmental impact. However, such concept also carries out

limitations such as it is essential for employees working within firm to care about the working of
business so that environment should not get impacted. Hence, it leads to certain losses that can
be in the form of monetary as well. Due to cost factor there are varied small businesses who are
not encouraged to use green practices within firm. Also, it can be stated that it involves
conversion expenses in order to go green initially. For instance, businesses are required to switch
to solar power in order to create greening concept that requires huge investment which is
difficult for small entrepreneurs. However, the cost reductions within energy savings by going
green are not always enough to set off the initial upfront conversion costs. While, the switch to
use green materials can lead to more expensive fr clients. Thus, owners and managers of firm are
required to obtain low cost eco friendly products in order to save money.
Also, it has been argued that another limitation can be in regard to entrenched bias
against companies who want to go green as it has been evidenced by certain laws and
regulations. Firms are required to focus upon leadership functions so that performance of SME
can be maintained through using energy saving measures. As per the Stevens and et. al., (2012),
also, it is difficult for certain businesses to go paperless through eliminating the use of paper and
mailing any information to their workers. Thus, it is the best way but not useful for certain
person who are not literate or accessing to internet. For instance, if companies think of not
publishing their advertisements within newspapers and magazines and give social media
advertisements then it might affect the people who are not going to social media sites and
referring to newspapers and magazines. Another limitation can be there may be varied
companies who will give false claims regarding they are working upon going green concept and
thus can undertake favor of customers and government. Because government appreciates such
companies who are operating on such concept and thus promoting them to expand their
operations. Therefore, it is essential for government to regularly review the operations of firm in
order to overcome such issues.
Also, it can be assessed that the sustainable materials are not always as readily available
as they are less eco-friendly alternatives. Therefore, it is essential that green materials are
required to be custom ordered in order to reconstruct the project. Also, it is has been evaluated
that there are varied alternatives available of green concept and thus SME's are required to focus
upon that and implement it within firm in order to obtain best results. Moreover, it can be
suggested that the further work need to be focused on one small aspect of CSR i.e. environmental

practices. Further, the research can be carried out upon different perspectives such as going green
concept within large scale companies and thus attaining success. However, entrepreneurs are
required to develop their ideas in order to gain innovative ideas to implement it within business
and attain results (Radwan, Jones and Minoli, 2012).
CONCLUSION
From the above study it can be conferred that drivers of green activities within micro-
businesses are not static. However, implementing green practices within SME's helps them to
changes their contextual dimensions and attain economic success. Therefore, it helps in
developing motivation among owner-manager and engage themselves for implementing green
practices so that process of change can be attained. Further environmental sustainability factor is
the best way of micro businesses in order to engage within green activities and thus support the
micro business to achieve organizational objectives. Thus, such findings possess a wide number
of implications for small businesses in order to become greener and thus participate within such
green practices to attain desired outcomes.

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