Research on ESG Practice Dilemmas and Lightweight Improvement Paths of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises - Based on Multi-Industry Case Analysis

Abstract

In today’s push for global sustainable development, ESG has become a key method to judge a company’s long-term value. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the “backbone” of the global economy, make up over 90% of all businesses in most countries. But SMEs face many difficulties with ESG practices because they have limited resources, weak skills, and little understanding of ESG. This study uses literature and case analysis, looking at SMEs from 3 industries: manufacturing, high-tech, and traditional services. It checks how these SMEs are doing with ESG, finds their main problems, and suggests simple improvement methods that fit SMEs’ needs. The results aim to help governments make better policies and help SMEs improve their ESG strategies.