Triggers for and barriers to the adoption of environmental management practices by small and medium‐sized enterprises: a critical review

The current literature lacks an integrated and holistic understanding of what drives and inhibits the environmental management practices (EMPs) of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), despite the large number of studies carried out in the area. In order to offer a nuanced understanding of the existing inventory of reported works on SMEs, this study provides a systematic literature review. Based on three theories (i.e., institutional isomorphism, the resource-based view and contingency), the study uses descriptive and thematic content analytical tools to find triggers for (i.e., external and internal) and barriers to the adoption of EMPs by SMEs. The analysis shows that both coercive pressures (especially legislation and customers' demands) and internal resource capabilities serve as significant triggers for the adoption of EMPs by SMEs. This study also finds internal organisational barriers, including lack of resources, acting as the main barriers. Both descriptive and thematic content analysis suggests several avenues for future research in this area.