Sustainability at stake: navigating stakeholder influence in non-listed SMEs
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2025-07-04
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en
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This study examines how stakeholder salience within a TH collaboration affects SR by non-listed SMEs in the Netherlands. Building on stakeholder salience theory, it explores how power, legitimacy, urgency, and proximity shape the influence of universities, industry, and governments on SR practices. Based on semi-structured interviews with eight non-listed SMEs involved in the Lifeport@InnovatieHub Circulair, the findings show that governments are the most salient stakeholders due to regulatory authority and financial support, followed by industry actors who influence SR through peer exchange and operational relevance. Universities contribute legitimacy and knowledge but have less direct impact. Power and urgency are the most decisive attributes shaping SR adoption. While SR adoption varies, most SMEs recognise its strategic relevance and engage based on a combination of intrinsic motivation and stakeholder expectations. This study contributes to theory by demonstrating how stakeholder salience operates in collaborative settings and highlights how a TH collaboration supports SMEs in managing SR barriers. This study offers societal value by informing targeted policy and supporting non-listed SMEs in aligning with future regulation
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen