A Multiple Case Study on the Environmental Sustainability Among Micro Enterprises in Cotabato City
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Abstract
Micro enterprises play a critical yet underexplored role in advancing environmental sustainability in developing and post-conflict contexts. This qualitative multiple case study investigates the environmental sustainability practices of micro enterprises in Cotabato City, Philippines, and examines how resource-constrained business owners reconcile ecological responsibility with economic survival. Guided by the Natural Resource-Based View (NRBV), the study draws on in-depth interviews with five micro-enterprise owners across diverse sectors and employs thematic and cross-case analysis. Findings reveal that micro enterprises actively implement low-cost sustainability practices, including waste segregation, eco-friendly packaging, energy conservation, and selective sustainable sourcing. However, these practices remain largely voluntary and uneven due to weak institutional support, inconsistent municipal services, limited supplier engagement, and cost constraints. While some enterprises leverage sustainability as a strategic branding and differentiation tool, others view it primarily as an operational or cost-saving measure, reflecting varied market responses and sectoral conditions. The study extends NRBV by demonstrating both its applicability and limits in informal, resource-scarce environments, emphasizing that environmental capabilities alone are insufficient without supportive institutional and market ecosystems. Policy implications underscore the need for culturally responsive government support, improved waste management infrastructure, and collaborative local partnerships to strengthen micro enterprises’ contributions to environmental sustainability.
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