CHAPTER 4

Sustainability SMEs

Chapter Objectives

  • Subdivide different methods of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) definition.
  • Analyze the pillars of sustainability, focusing on the SMEs sector.
  • Interpret key factors that influence business sustainability.

The definition of SMEs differs from one country to another, and according to Yu and Bell (2007) “there is no universally accepted definition of an SME” (p. 20). Moreover, they state that the way in which SMEs are defined varies across national statistical systems. For example, Chinese industrial SMEs are defined as those SMEs having less than 2,000 employees, presenting turnover lower than 300 million RMB (i.e., million Euros or 19.2 million GBP), or with total assets lower than 400 ...

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