RT info:eu-repo/semantics/article
T1 Sustainable practices in manufacturing SMEs: the importance of technological collaboration between supply chain partners
A1 López-Cózar Navarro, Cristina
A1 Priede Bergamini, Tiziana
A1 Cuello de Oro Celestino, Diego Jesús
K1 Sustainable development
K1 Desarrollo sostenible
K1 Manufacturing sustainability
K1 Manufacturing SMEs
K1 Small business
K1 Pequeñas y medianas empresas
K1 Industry 4.0
K1 Industrial management
K1 Gestión industrial
K1 Manufacturing industries - Technological innovations
K1 Industria - Innovaciones tecnológicas
K1 Business logistics
K1 Logística
K1 Materials management
K1 Gestión de suministro
K1 Customer relations
K1 Relaciones con clientes
K1 3310 Tecnología Industrial
K1 5311 Organización y Dirección de Empresas
AB The development of new technologies within Industry 4.0 (I4.0) may serve as a catalyst in the development of sustainable practices (SP), particularly in the case of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This paper contributes to the literature by examining the development of technological collaboration agreements between supply chain partners as an influence factor that may impact the environmental commitment of SMEs. Specifically, we study whether the type of partner within the supply chain impacts a firm’s spending or its investment decision toward SP. To that end, we propose an analysis model that considers supplier and customer relationships separately, and the SP measure to be taken distinguishing between expenses and investments. Additionally, empirical research comprising descriptive statistics and econometrics using the regression technique has been conducted on a sample of 1808 Spanish industrial firms. Our results confirm that there are significant differences between SMEs and large companies when developing SP, and that these SP in SMEs depend on the chosen partner and measure. Finally, we offer our main conclusions, as well as relevant recommendations for managers, public administrators, suppliers, and customers, who are essential players in the I4.0 revolution and are under social pressure to promote sustainable development.
PB MDPI
SN 2071-1050
YR 2024
FD 2024
LK https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/68245
UL https://uvadoc.uva.es/handle/10324/68245
LA eng
NO Sustainability, 2024, Vol. 16, Nº. 12, 5264
NO Producción Científica
DS UVaDOC
RD 07-ago-2024