Exploring sustainability performance in small and medium-sized enterprises from a triple bottom line perspective

Sammanfattning: Date: 2023-05-31 Level: Bachelor thesis in Business Administration, 15 cr  Institution: School of Business, Society and Engineering, Mälardalen University  Authors: Ahlqvist Malin, Fredmark Ida Xing and Pirani Shervin (93-03-11)          (96-06-05)        (98-07-02)                                           Title: Exploring sustainability performance in small and medium-sized enterprises from a triple bottom line perspective Supervisor:  Edward Gillmore  Keywords: TBL, Sustainability, Initiatives, Environmental performance, Economic performance Research questions:  RQ1: What are the characteristics of sustainable initiatives in SMEs? RQ2: How do the sustainability initiatives affect the economic performance and the environmental performance within SMEs? Purpose: This study aims to explore the characteristics of initiatives that an SME is undertaking regarding sustainability and how it affects their economic and environmental performance. Method: This study has an inductive approach and one case study. Four qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted, and secondary data was collected. Conclusion: In relation to TBL, numerous environmental initiatives were detected, while fewer economic initiatives and social initiatives were detected. An inconsistency was found regarding the effect sustainability initiatives have on economic performance and environmental performance. If an SME wishes to operate sustainably it is suggested that emphasis should be directed towards the integration and improvement within areas of waste management, resource management, and optimization of transportation.