Transitioning SMEs to sustainable water management practices: Challenges and opportunities

Ward, S; Barr, S; Memon, FA; Butler, D

Abstract

Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) represent a large percentage of global employment, as well as being large consumers of water and producers of effluent. However, the uptake of sustainable water management (SWM) technologies, such as rainwater harvesting (RWH) within this sector has been limited to date. Interviews with SMEs resulted in the derivation of five ‘implementation deficit categories’ (IDCs). These highlight current challenges in implementation, as well as offering opportunities to enable reduction of these deficit areas. The IDCs are discussed and recommendations to overcome them presented. Although the paper primarily addresses a developed country perspective, consideration is given to the feasibility and value of conducting similar research within a developing country context.

Citation

Ward, S., Barr, S., Memon, F., & Butler, D. (2010, September). Transitioning SMEs to sustainable water management practices: Challenges and opportunities. Paper presented at International Conference on Sustainable Water Management, Jamshoro, Pakistan

• Presentation Conference Type: Conference Paper (unpublished)
• Conference Name: International Conference on Sustainable Water Management
• Conference Location: Jamshoro, Pakistan
• Start Date: Sep 15, 2010
• End Date: Sep 17, 2010
• Acceptance Date: Sep 15, 2010
• Peer Reviewed: Not Peer Reviewed
• Keywords: SME, sustainable water management, implementation deficit categories
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/975027
• Additional Information: Title of Conference or Conference Proceedings : International Conference on Sustainable Water Management