Formulating an Ideal Model to Improve Small and Medium-Sized Businesses in the Country with a Sustainable Development Approach Using Grounded Data

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Ph.D. Candidate, Department of Public Administration, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Financial Management, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

In today's world, small and medium-sized businesses play a key role in economic growth, job creation, and innovation. Due to their flexibility and proximity to local markets, these businesses can provide quick and effective responses to the changing needs of customers. On the other hand, in light of environmental crises and climate change, attention to sustainable development has become one of the main priorities in the business sector. The main goal of this research is to formulate an ideal model for improving small and medium-sized businesses with a sustainable development approach. This study is exploratory in terms of its objective and applied in terms of its practical use, and it is based on a mixed exploratory research strategy. The statistical population includes senior managers, and the quantitative phase includes managers and experts working in small and medium-sized businesses. The data collection tool consisted of in-depth interviews, with data gathered through several stages of coding: open coding, axial coding, and selective coding. These were coded and analyzed, and the resulting model was extracted from the interviews. The findings showed that both internal and external factors are important causal factors in improving small and medium-sized businesses. Among contextual factors, infrastructure and appropriate technology, culture and social values, and cooperation and partnership networks were identified. Additionally, government policy and regulations, market and demand, and social participation and stakeholders were identified as intervening factors. Accordingly, market and marketing strategies, sustainable supply chain strategies, educational and empowerment strategies, innovation and research and development strategies, and sustainable environmental strategies function as effective approaches influencing environmental, social, economic, and brand-related outcomes and credibility.

Keywords

References

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Journals of Environmental Education and Sustainable Development
Volume 13, Issue 3
2025
Pages 139-155

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