Sustainability transition dynamics of SMEs in a volatile emerging economy: A qualitative exploration

This chapter is one of the pioneering studies to specifically analyze sustainability transition dynamics in the volatile emerging economies context by undertaking a qualitative exploration of four case firms from Pakistan. Our findings highlight the criticality of supply chain partners (international buyers) and international NGOs for the sustainability transition of SMEs operating in volatile emerging economies. Resource efficiency and the role of intermediaries were also found vital, though peculiarities of volatile and emerging economy contexts were visible in both. We also found the owner’s (manager’s) interest in sustainability to be important in this regard. Finally, the resilience and agility of firms, used to facing issues like high risk, exchange rate vulnerability, and lack of government support was visible as the case firms were able to overcome some of these hurdles by collaborating with international partners and receiving financing from unexpected international sources for this process.