| dc.description.abstract | This study aimed at examining sustainable innovation practices among SMEs in Kikuubo market, in Kampala central division. The study was premised on three objectives: to examine the sustainable innovation practices among SMEs in Kikuubo B, Kampala Central, to investigate the factors hindering the implementation of sustainable practices among a SMESs in Kikuubo B, Kampala Central and to assess the strategies that can be used to increase adoption of sustainable practices among a SMESs in Kikuubo B, Kampala Central. The study employed a cross-sectional and descriptive research design with a quantitative study approach which involved collecting numerical data from 75 respondents out of a sample of 108 SME owners in Kikuubo market, using a survey questionnaire. Data were analyzed using the statistical package for social science (SSPS Version 23). Among innovative sustainability practices, the study identified exchanging different points of views for sustainable products in regular meetings with suppliers, SMEs follow regulations concerning environmental protection, SMEs often involved in brainstorming to stimulate new ideas among employees, they keep our electricity bulbs off during day in order to reduce energy consumption, and SMEs have invested in digital material for marketing as opposed to printed material to avoid wastage and finally, SME prefer to do merchandising than invest in direct marketing. And among the challenges the study found lack of adequate support by stakeholders (government, trade associations) for improving sustainability through provision of guidance, lack of expertise and specialized knowledge on behalf of SMEs in order to apply guidelines of social and environmental certifications, lack of clear legislation towards the implementation of sustainability practices, the study identified that lack of external incentives for SMEs to engage with local manufacturers to be a challenge of sustainable innovative implementation among SMEs and that respondents agreed that lack of entrepreneurial skills among the business owners to fail sustainable innovative practices. Therefore, the study recommends government should provide incentives to SMEs to acquire environmental/social certifications, SMEs should engage in sponsoring of public health activities in local community, the government should provide incentives to SMEs to engage/collaborate with local suppliers and finally the study recommends that government should reduce bureaucracy/simplify procedures for access of SMEs to funding | en_US |
