Small- and Medium-Sized Enterprises: Trends and Future Perspectives for Sustainability and Digitalization in Germany

被引:4
作者
Bella, Ricardo L. F. [1 ]
Leal Filho, Walter [2 ,3 ]
Sigahi, Tiago F. A. C. [4 ,5 ]
Rampasso, Izabela Simon [6 ]
Quelhas, Osvaldo L. G. [7 ]
Bella, Leticia Fernandes [7 ]
de Moraes, Gustavo Herminio Salati Marcondes [8 ,9 ]
Anholon, Rosley [4 ]
机构
[1] Fluminense Fed Univ, Dept Engn, BR-27255125 Rio Das Ostras, Brazil
[2] Hamburg Univ Appl Sci, Res & Transfer Ctr Sustainable Dev & Climate Chang, D-20999 Hamburg, Germany
[3] Manchester Metropolitan Univ, Dept Nat Sci, Manchester M15 6BH, England
[4] Univ Estadual Campinas, Sch Mech Engn, BR-13083860 Campinas, Brazil
[5] Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Prod Engn, BR-18052780 Sorocaba, Brazil
[6] Univ Catolica Norte, Dept Ind Engn, Antofagasta 1270709, Chile
[7] Fluminense Fed Univ, Dept Prod Engn, BR-24220140 Niteroi, Brazil
[8] Univ Estadual Campinas, Sch Appl Sci, BR-13484332 Limeira, Brazil
[9] North West Univ, Sch Management Sci, ZA-1900 Vanderbijlpark, South Africa
关键词
SME; digitalization; innovation; digital transformation; Europe; RESEARCH-AND-DEVELOPMENT; MANAGEMENT INNOVATION; PERFORMANCE; KNOWLEDGE; FIRMS; FAMILY; SMES; CAPABILITY; ADOPTION; IMPACT;
D O I
10.3390/su16166900
中图分类号
X [环境科学、安全科学];
学科分类号
08 ; 0830 ;
摘要
The objective of this research was to provide a review of the state-of-the-art literature related to sustainability and digitalization in SMEs to identify current trends and future perspectives within this vital sector. The focus is on German SMEs, which are considered benchmarks, given these firms' critical role in the country's economy and job market. A total of 55 peer-reviewed articles were analyzed with the support of the Atlas TI 24.1 software package, focusing on definitions, frameworks, research questions, hypotheses, primary findings, and direct reports from interviewees. Major current trends were identified, clustered in two groups: (1) digitalization, digital transformation, Industry 4.0, and performance; and (2) sustainability, innovation, entrepreneurship, and risk management. Three future perspectives were identified: disseminating digitalization in the market; incorporating sustainability into business models; and increasing investments in government support programs. While the study is focused on German SMEs, its findings are applicable to similar economies within the European Union and can serve as a reference for developing countries' sustainable development goals (SDGs). This research advances knowledge on how SMEs play a critical role in the context of sustainability and digitalization, both now and in the future.
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页数:26
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