Dear Colleagues,

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Nordic countries are pivotal to regional economic strength and are recognised for their agile adaptation to sustainability practices. However, the dynamic interplay between SMEs and their stakeholders plays a crucial role in shaping these practices. This call for papers seeks to explore this critical relationship, providing insights into how stakeholders influence and are influenced by the sustainability initiatives within Nordic SMEs.

We invite empirical and theoretical submissions that examine:

• How do different stakeholders (customers, employees, suppliers, investors, and local communities) exert pressure on or support the sustainability efforts of SMEs? What unique stakeholder expectations are encountered by SMEs in Nordic regions?
• How do SMEs respond to these diverse and sometimes conflicting stakeholder demands? What innovative strategies are SMEs employing to engage stakeholders in sustainability dialogues and practices?
• What are the tangible outcomes of effective stakeholder engagement on the sustainability practices of Nordic SMEs? Are there discernible differences in sustainability outcomes between SMEs that actively engage their stakeholders and those that do not? What are the factors leading to effective stakeholder engagement for sustainability initiatives?
• Submissions of case studies showcasing successful stakeholder engagement and sustainability strategies in Nordic SMEs are highly encouraged. These case studies should provide practical insights and potentially replicable models.

This is not an exhaustive list.

Hoping to hear from you!

Elli Verhulst, Martin Senderovitz and Simon Jebsen
Guest Editors