| Title |
Can B Corp certification anchor sustainability in SMEs? |
| ID_Doc |
77804 |
| Authors |
Carvalho, B; Wiek, A; Ness, B |
| Title |
Can B Corp certification anchor sustainability in SMEs? |
| Year |
2022 |
| Published |
Corporate Social Responsibility And Environmental Management, 29, 1 |
| DOI |
10.1002/csr.2192 |
| Abstract |
B Corp certification is considered a viable instrument to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in adopting sustainable practices. However, there is a lack of evidence to what extent this instrument can anchor sustainability at the core of SMEs. This study investigates the B Corp certification process of a SME, a craft brewery in southern Sweden, regarding the extent to which it helped infusing sustainability into the business' mission, practices, corporate form, certificates, and capacities. Results show that the B Impact Assessment, as part of the certification process, positively influenced the business' mission, practices, and capacities. Limited influence on social commitment and adoption of a sustainable corporate form can be explained through regulatory context and time required for deep organizational change. To enhance the effectiveness of B Corp certification, we recommend making it even more adaptable to different geographical and social contexts and increase focus on impact business models. |
| Author Keywords |
business sustainability; capacity building for sustainability; impact business models; sustainability certification |
| Index Keywords |
Index Keywords |
| Document Type |
Other |
| Open Access |
Open Access |
| Source |
Social Science Citation Index (SSCI) |
| EID |
WOS:000684939000001 |
| WoS Category |
Business; Environmental Studies; Management |
| Research Area |
Business & Economics; Environmental Sciences & Ecology |
| PDF |
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1002/csr.2192
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