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Drivers and barriers to engage enterprises in environmental management initiatives in Suzhou Industrial Park, China

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Abstract

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play an important role in sustainable development not only for their significant contribution to China’s economy, but also for their large share of total discharged pollutants. Therefore, this research takes the enterprises in Suzhou Industrial Park, China as the case study to investigate the environmental management practices of SMEs, and identify drivers and barriers to engaging businesses in environmental management initiatives. It is shown that, as in other countries, SMEs are less active in adopting environmental management initiatives than larger companies. Legislation remains the key driver to engage SMEs in environmental management initiatives. Based on the analysis, policy recommendations are also presented.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control & Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210093, China

    Bing Zhang, Jun Bi & Beibei Liu

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  1. Bing Zhang
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  2. Jun Bi
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  3. Beibei Liu
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Correspondence to Jun Bi.

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Zhang, B., Bi, J. & Liu, B. Drivers and barriers to engage enterprises in environmental management initiatives in Suzhou Industrial Park, China. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng. China 3, 210–220 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-009-0014-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-009-0014-7

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