Conceptualisation of Sustainable Development in the Context of SME Sector Enterprises

The issue of sustainable socio-economic development in the context of SMEs fits within the broader stream of research on strategic management of organizations operating under conditions of dynamic environmental change. From the perspective of strategic management, this implies the necessity of adopting an approach that not only responds to current market needs, but also incorporates social responsibility, resource efficiency, and organizational resilience. Consequently, sustainable development becomes a key element shaping strategic decision-making in SMEs, strengthening their adaptability and capacity to create long-term value. This study is conceptual and theoretical in nature, focusing on the interpretation of notions and the specificity of sustainable socio-economic development in the context of enterprises in the SME sector. The conducted research has resulted in filling the identified research gap and solving the research problem, including the development of a theoretical model presented as a conceptual illustration entitled “From the Idea to the Paradigm of Sustainable Socio-Economic Development in the SMEs.” The study also led to the identification of four orders of sustainable socio-economic development—environmental, social, economic, and institutional-political—in the context of enterprises in the SME sector.