Bolstering Sustainability Strategies In The Spanish Food Smes

Abstract

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a prominent role in the food sector. Based on relevant
literature and empirical case data from 12 Spanish food SMEs, this paper intends to depict the specificities
of these enterprises regarding sustainable business models through identifying the relevant success
factors and barriers for sustainability transition. Results highlight the complexity of the nexus business
model–sustainability, and its high context dependency. Profitability, cooperation and innovation emerge
as particularly critical for successful sustainability transition in food SMEs. Meanwhile, limited financial
resources, regulatory compliance, and external shocks come out as the major barriers. Evidence elicited
from real-world examples facilitates the uncovering of pathways for establishing robust sustainability
strategies based on the benefits from integrating sustainability and coping with limitations in business
operations.