Sustainability under constraint: Assessing barriers to sustainable management practices among SMEs in Ghana

Abstract

This study examines barriers to the adoption of triple bottom line (TBL) practices among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Ghana, focusing on how these constraints interact in resource-constrained contexts. Drawing on qualitative data from 80 in-depth interviews across multiple sectors, the study employs thematic analysis to explore challenges shaping sustainability implementation. Findings reveal four interrelated domains of constraint: financial, institutional, organizational, and technological. These barriers do not operate in isolation but form a system of mutually reinforcing constraints, with financial limitations emerging as the central factor influencing SMEs’ ability to invest in training, adopt sustainable technologies, meet regulatory requirements, and implement reporting systems. This interaction creates systemic lock-in effects that hinder meaningful sustainability adoption. The study also identifies variations across firm size and sector, with smaller firms facing acute resource constraints and medium-sized firms encountering integration challenges. The findings suggest that the conventional TBL framework is structurally misaligned with SME realities in developing economies. By shifting the focus from isolated barriers to interconnected systems, the study contributes to theory and highlights the need for context-sensitive and adaptive sustainability approaches.