University of Vaasa - Vaasan yliopisto

Summary and Comment
796
In the earlier review and discussion of SMEs, CSR and current literature related to
SME-environment behaviour, ESCM and environmental support to SMEs an overall
(and theoretical) case for engagement with SMEs was presented. It was noted that
for this research, which was grounded in practice and potential and actual
interventions in the context of the first tier of an own label suppl-chain, the current
theory was not sufficient to guide actions (and interventions) as it did not sufficiently
inform either understanding of SME behaviour (i.e. in this chain) and/or the
processes which underpinned this behaviour and the provision of support, or forming
of interventions, in an ESCM context. There was, and is, therefore, a further need to
engage SMEs in this chain (and in other chains and situations) to understand their
actual behaviour and how they actually do develop their strategies (and behaviour)
rather than simply following prescriptions of how SMEs should behave and how
customers should intervene. Finally, and following the interpretation and description
of behaviour based on sense-making the need for engagement with SMEs (in this
case small SMEs) was discussed and highlighted. This discussion also described
how engagement could, and did, affect SME-environment behaviour. This insight
being supported and facilitated through discussion of the actual engagement (i.e. of
Case C), how the approach to engagement addressed some of the constraints to
action and how this approach may benefit others.