A BWM approach to determinants of sustainable entrepreneurship in small and medium-sized enterprises

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) constitute an extremely large percentage of most nations’ businesses. These companies are also expressing growing concerns about sustainability its strategic integration into operations. However, SMEs have been prevented from making investments in by the absence a holistic view this topic, overemphasis on economic perspective, consequent devaluation environmental social perspectives. In context, greater importance needs to be given investigating SME building transparent, holistic, realistic business model. The present study combines cognitive mapping best worst method (BWM) identify determinants sustainable entrepreneurship SMEs. techniques were applied two meetings with panel specialists knowledge experience subject matter. insights obtained during allowed proposed process-oriented approach assist decision-makers analyzing sample selecting ones that match following clusters decision criteria: (1) entrepreneur profile; (2) firm internal characteristics; (3) factors; (4) other external (5) market. results validated four representatives Portuguese Institute for Medium-sized Enterprises Innovation ( Instituto de Apoio às Pequenas e Médias Empresas à Inovação (IAPMEI) Portuguese). study’s contributions limitations discussed. • A system is developed facilitate evaluation. Cognitive improves selection evaluation criteria. BWM allows criteria weights calculated. created assesses propensity entrepreneurship.