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

Kód výsledku v 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>

Výsledek na webu

<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>

Jazyk výsledku

angličtina

Název v původním jazyce

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

Popis výsledku v původním jazyce

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.

Název v anglickém jazyce

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

Popis výsledku anglicky

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.

Druh

D - Stať ve sborníku

CEP obor

—

OECD FORD obor

50206 - Finance

Projekt

—

Návaznosti

S - Specificky vyzkum na vysokych skolach

Rok uplatnění

2025

Kód důvěrnosti údajů

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

Název statě ve sborníku

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

ISBN

978-80-7694-143-4

ISSN

2336-6788

e-ISSN

—

Počet stran výsledku

8

Strana od-do

18-25

Název nakladatele

Jihočeská univerzita v Českých Budějovicích, Ekonomická fakulta

Místo vydání

České Budějovice

Místo konání akce

České Budějovice

Datum konání akce

6. 11. 2025

Typ akce podle státní příslušnosti

EUR - Evropská akce

Kód UT WoS článku

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