Micro and Small Businesses Driving UNSDGs: Insights from a Multi-case Study

Purpose: Global challenges require goals and actions that ensure the future survival of species and the planet. In this sense, in 2015, the UN adopted the 2030 Agenda with 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) with goals to be met by everyone by 2030. Achieving the goals requires a global partnership, bringing together various stakeholders, such as governments, civil society, the private sector, among others. In this sense, the private sector is an important stakeholder and can lead the evolution of the SDGs. Little is known about how companies are organizing themselves to implement the SDGs in their strategies. Micro and small businesses are an important part of the economy, accounting for 30% of Brazil’s gross domestic product, but they face several challenges. Design/Methodology/Approach: A multiple case study was conducted with five micro and small Brazilian companies from different sectors. Findings: Several practices were revealed. The results highlight the importance of micro and small enterprises for the implementation of SDGs in a broad sense. Partnerships are important for this progress. The most worked SDGs are SDGs 17, 10, 4, and 3. The least worked SDGs are SDGs 7, 14, 16, and 5. Practical Implications: This chapter presents several practices adopted by micro and small companies for the implementation of the SDGs that can serve as an example for different sectors and organizations of all sizes. Partnerships with nongovernmental organizations, city governments, the private sector, and the public sector are important for this progress.