Sustainable development goals and SMEs decisions: Czech Republic vs. Poland

• Published in: Journal of Eastern European and Central Asian research Vol. 7; no. 1; pp. 39 - 50
• Main Authors: Šebestová, Jarmila, Sroka, Włodzimierz
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Minneapolis The Institute of Eastern Europe and Central Asia 14-03-2020; IEECA
• Subjects: circular economy; Consumers; Economic growth; Entrepreneurs; Objectives; Recycling; Small & medium sized enterprises-SME; Socioeconomic development; Sustainability; sustainable business; Sustainable development; Waste management; Poland; Czech Republic
• ISSN: 2328-8272; 2328-8280
• DOI: 10.15549/jeecar.v7i1.418

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are a “major engine” of economic growth and socioeconomic development, and reaching many sustainable development goals (SDG). They should make the SDGs a prominent selling point to demonstrate why consumers should buy from them to reduce waste and enhance recycling. If a consumer sees an SME engaged in the SDGs (goal 8,9 and 12), it will be motivated for further support. Given these facts the paper compares Czech and Polish approaches to the circular economy by quantitative evaluation based on primary research (Czechia, 210 respondents) and qualitative context comparison in Poland. Our research has confirmed that there are differences in both countries in relation to the sustainable development goals, with SMEs decisions in the Czech SMEs sector being on level business sustainability 1.0, and that in Poland being below 1. Additionally, Czech entrepreneurs have more knowledge and practice in “green” methods than do Poland’s.