Nudging manufacturing small and medium enterprises in developing communities to energy management: exploring the role of institutional pressure dimensions

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate whether all the dimensions of institutional pressures matter for energy management (EM) of manufacturing small and medium enterprises using evidence from Uganda.Design/methodology/approachThis study used a cross-sectional design using evidence from 195 manufacturing small and medium enterprises in Uganda. The study was conducted by administering a questionnaire to obtain quantitative data which were analyzed using Smart Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling.FindingsThe findings revealed that two dimensions of institutional pressures (coercive and mimetic) positively and significantly predict EM, unlike normative pressures. Notable is that coercive pressures contribute more to EM than mimetic pressures.Research limitations/implicationsThis study uses a quantitative design; thus, future studies through interviews would offer more knowledge on EM. The government should reinforce regulations to achieve sustainable energy for all communities. Additionally, governments and industry associations should pay attention to the critical pressures (coercive and mimetic) to step up EM. Moreso, enterprise managers should comprehend government regulations and peers' actions for effective EM.Originality/valueThis study contributes to EM literature by using institutional theory to examine the contribution of individual dimensions of institutional pressures to EM from the context.