Challenges of Environmental Business Practices: A Proposed Sustainable Green Industrial Development Model for Manufacturing Enterprises in Guangdong Province, China

Xueyuan Xu

doi:10.54097/2xk72t83

Authors

Xueyuan Xu

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54097/2xk72t83

Keywords:

Sustainable development, Environmental business practices, Small and medium enterprises (SMEs), Guangdong Province

Abstract

Grounded in Institutional Theory, Resource-Based View (RBV), and Diffusion of Innovation Theory, the study examines how SMEs navigate resource constraints, supply chain management, regulatory frameworks, and awareness gaps in pursuing sustainable green development. The research utilizes a quantitative-descriptive approach with a causal-comparative research design and employs purposive sampling to select 303 SME owners from Guangdong Province, China. Data were collected through a structured survey focusing on business practices like energy-efficient technologies, waste minimization, partnering with environmentally responsible suppliers, water-saving technologies, integrating environmental considerations into product designs, and renewable energy investment and implementing an Environmental Management System (EMS). Findings reveal that SMEs recognize the importance of environmental practices, and they face less challenges in resource allocation, awareness, supply chain management and regulatory landscape.

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