Responsabilit� soci�tale et d�veloppement durable

Abstract:
Purpose – This paper seeks to examine how sustainable SMEs utilize their networks. Here utilization refers to activities SMEs perform in network and how the SMEs are influenced by and influence networks. While the importance of networks has been acknowledged in SME marketing research, linking sustainability to SME networking has been a more neglected area of research. Design/methodology/approach – A multiple case study of two Finnish SMEs operating in the food sector was conducted for this study. The main methods applied to gather the research data were group and individual interviews. Findings – This study shows that SMEs utilize their networks as a source of opportunities and resources and their networks can serve as an avenue for change towards sustainability. Moreover, learning in the network was identified as a key process through which the enterprises and the network evolve. Research limitations/implications – The main limitation of this paper is that the case study interviews were conducted at a single point in time and thus the study is based on historical instead of follow-up data. Practical implications – SMEs are encouraged to develop skills (e.g. willingness to solve problems), which on the one hand, help them to utilize the network as a source of opportunities and resources and, on the other hand, influence the network to develop it further. Originality/value – This paper demonstrates that SMEs utilized their networks to bring about enhanced sustainability, a perspective less understood in previous research. Moreover, the study connects sustainability to SME networking, which is also less studied, but a highly valuable way for resource-constrained SMEs to enhance social and ecologic sustainability.

Abstract:
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review and discuss the potential of available event formats for facilitating the initiation of organizational change processes. It presents unconferencing, a relatively new event format, which seems to provide unique opportunities for this purpose. It reports and analyzes the case of a large Swiss university which initiated its pro-sustainability transformation by organizing an unconference. Design/methodology/approach – Researchers studied the effects of unconferencing and the mechanisms, which brought them about in a case study. In the empirical setting of a large Swiss university, a qualitative study triangulating participatory observation, narrative and problem-centered interviews, participant survey and documentary analysis was carried out. Data were collected and analyzed at different points in time. Findings – Empirical findings suggest that unconferencing is an appropriate event format for facilitating the initiation of the pro-sustainability organizational change process of a university. In our case, unconferencing achieved systems connectivity, enabled mutual learning and generated excellent outputs in form of project proposals. Social implications – The paper raises the awareness of other universities and organizations of an event format they might wish to apply in their organizational change processes. Originality/value – So far, research has not provided satisfactory answers to the question, how to best initiate organizational change. This paper provides a systematic investigation of available methodological approaches. It furthermore explains unconferencing, which is increasingly applied by practitioners but so far has stimulated only little discourse in the scientific community.

This research analysis is on microfinance practice and its contributions towards the sustainability and development of women entrepreneurs in Malaysia. In fact, in Malaysia most of the participants who received the benefit of microfinance are single mothers. Consequently, microfinance emerged as an economic development approach intended to address the financial needs of deprived groups in the society. The concept of 'kootu' is an alternative form of microfinance practice and henceforth, the paper provides a distinction between the 'kootu' concept and the Grameen Bank model. The barriers and prohibition of 'kootu' concept financing are not formalised, and only applicable to entrepreneurs who could not get access to the formal financial support. Major drawbacks of 'kootu' financing include the absence of insurance coverage, ceasing membership and risk of losing money contributed in the system.