<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Environmental sustainability of immigrant-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is important to a country’s long-term sustainable development. The study investigated the environmental sustainability practices (ESP) of immigrant-owned SMEs. In addition, the study examined the effect of demographic factors (age, gender and level of education) on ESP. The study also investigated the relationship between ESP and financial performance of SMEs. Data was collected from one hundred and eighty two immigrant small business owners. The survey method (self-administered questionnaire) was used for data collection. The participants in the study were conveniently sampled. Descriptive statistics, T-test, Pearson correlation and regression analysis were used for data analysis. The results indicated that immigrant-owned SMEs are engaged in recycling, energy efficiency and reduction of waste and pollution. Their involvement in environmentally friendly products and environmental management policy is limited. Females exhibit higher levels of recycling, waste reduction energy efficiency and reduction of pollution. Age and level of education positively affect environmental sustainability practices. Waste reduction, energy efficiency and reduction of pollution have significant positive relationships with financial performance. Recommendations to improve EPS are suggested.</p></abstract>

Environmental sustainability of immigrant-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is important to a country’s long-term sustainable development. The study investigated the environmental sustainability practices (ESP) of immigrant-owned SMEs. In addition, the study examined the effect of demographic factors (age, gender and level of education) on ESP. The study also investigated the relationship between ESP and financial performance of SMEs. Data was collected from one hundred and eighty two immigrant small business owners. The survey method (self-administered questionnaire) was used for data collection. The participants in the study were conveniently sampled. Descriptive statistics, T-test, Pearson correlation and regression analysis were used for data analysis. The results indicated that immigrant-owned SMEs are engaged in recycling, energy efficiency and reduction of waste and pollution. Their involvement in environmentally friendly products and environmental management policy is limited. Females exhibit higher levels of recycling, waste reduction energy efficiency and reduction of pollution. Age and level of education positively affect environmental sustainability practices. Waste reduction, energy efficiency and reduction of pollution have significant positive relationships with financial performance. Recommendations to improve EPS are suggested.

Environmental Sustainability Practices of Immigrant-Owned Small and Medium Enterprises in South Africa

European Review Of Applied Sociology

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Environmental sustainability of immigrant-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is important to a country’s long-term sustainable development. The study...

Environmental Sustainability Practices of Immigrant-Owned Small and Medium Enterprises in South Africa

Published Online: Jan 25, 2019

Page range: 27 - 43

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/eras-2018-0009

Keywords
environmental sustainability practices, demographic factors, performance, immigrants, small and medium enterprises, South Africa

© 2018 Olawale Fatoki, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Environmental Sustainability Practices of Immigrant-Owned Small and Medium Enterprises in South Africa

Published Online: Jan 25, 2019

Page range: 27 - 43

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/eras-2018-0009

Keywordsenvironmental sustainability practices, demographic factors, performance, immigrants, small and medium enterprises, South Africa

© 2018 Olawale Fatoki, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 License.

Keywords
environmental sustainability practices, demographic factors, performance, immigrants, small and medium enterprises, South Africa