The Sustainability-Adoption Paradox: Why High Adopting MSMEs Report More Barriers - Evidence from Zimbabwe

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F60076658%3A12510%2F25%3A43910643" target="_blank" >RIV/60076658:12510/25:43910643 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://inproforum.ef.jcu.cz/" target="_blank" >https://inproforum.ef.jcu.cz/</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.32725/978-80-7694-143-4.03" target="_blank" >10.32725/978-80-7694-143-4.03</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

The Sustainability-Adoption Paradox: Why High Adopting MSMEs Report More Barriers - Evidence from Zimbabwe

Original language description

The integration of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) into the sustainability agenda is crucial for sustainable development, yet remains poorly understood in resource-constrained contexts. This study explores the complex interplay between sustainable practice adoption and perceived barriers among MSMEs in Zimbabwe. Through a cross-sectional survey of 312 enterprises, we identified a distinct hierarchy in the adoption of sustainable development practices: solar energy leads significantly (62.18%), substantially outdoing waste recycling (41.67%), water conservation (42.31%), and sustainable packaging (40.06%). While financial constraints (high costs: 50.3%; limited financing: 48.1%) and knowledge gaps (technical: 40.4%; information: 38.5%) were prevalent, the most critical finding reveals a central paradox: a strong positive correlation (r ≈ 0.98) between adoption intensity and barriers reported. High adopters (averaging 5.47 practices) cited significantly more obstacles than low adopters (0.64 barriers), particularly in technical knowledge (76.7% vs. 9.5%) and limited finance (73.3% vs. 30.5%). This suggests that barrier recognition and navigation are essential to the adoption process, not simply deterrents. The study concludes that standard intervention models are inadequate. We recommend a multifaceted strategy: leveraging solar energy as a strategic entry point, shifting training from theory to practical implementation support, developing integrated financial products, and implementing tiered support systems tailored to different adoption stages. These findings provide a comprehensive framework for policymakers and practitioners to bridge the intention-action gap and accelerate sustainable development in emerging economies.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

D - Article in proceedings

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

50206 - Finance

Project

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Continuities

S - Specificky vyzkum na vysokych skolach

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Article name in the collection

INPROFORUM 2025. Proceedings of the 19th International Scientific Conference INPROFORUM. Economy under Pressure.

ISBN

978-80-7694-143-4

ISSN

2336-6788

e-ISSN

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Number of pages

8

Pages from-to

18-25

Publisher name

Jihočeská univerzita v Českých Budějovicích, Ekonomická fakulta

Place of publication

České Budějovice

Event location

České Budějovice

Event date

Nov 6, 2025

Type of event by nationality

EUR - Evropská akce

UT code for WoS article

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