Open AccessSustainable development goals and SMEs decisions: Czech Republic vs. Poland
Author(s) -
Jarmila Ŝebestová,
Włodzimierz Sroka
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of eastern european and central asian research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.223
H-Index - 5
eISSN - 2328-8280
pISSN - 2328-8272
DOI - 10.15549/jeecar.v7i1.418
Subject(s) - czech , business , sustainability , sustainable development , context (archaeology) , small and medium sized enterprises , socioeconomic status , socioeconomic development , marketing , economic growth , economics , finance , political science , geography , population , ecology , philosophy , linguistics , demography , archaeology , sociology , law , biology
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.