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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal – Vol. 11, No. 2.2
Publication Date: February 25, 2024
DOI:10.14738/assrj.112.2.16401.
Naharuddin, N. S., Rahim, R. A., & Ngah, R. (2024). Determinants Impacting the Triple Bottom Line Sustainability Performance in
SMEs: A Systematic Literature Analysis and Future Research Agenda. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 11(2.2). 66-77.
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
Determinants Impacting the Triple Bottom Line Sustainability
Performance in SMEs: A Systematic Literature Analysis and
Future Research Agenda
Nur Syahirah Naharuddin
nursyahirahnahar@gmail.com.my,
Department of Postgraduate and Professional Studies,
Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia
Ramita Abdul Rahim
*Corresponding Author: ramita@uitm.edu.my
Institute of Continuing Education & Professional Studies (iCEPS), UiTM-MTDC
Technopreneur Centre, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia and
Department of Technology and Supply Chain Management Studies, Faculty
of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia
Rohana Ngah
rohanangah@uitm.edu.my
Department of Entrepreneurship and Marketing Studies,
Faculty of Business and Management, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Malaysia
ABSTRACT
Identifying the factors that influence sustainable performance in Small and Medium
Enterprises (SMEs) is crucial. However, few studies have comprehensively
examined the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) which are economic, social, and
environmental aspects of sustainable performance within a single research
framework. A systematic review of articles published from 2019-2023 analysed 45
out of 358 papers from 8 databases. The in-depth reading results reveal three
clusters representing the main research topics: green and environmental
management issues; social and cultural issues; and the necessary values, skills, and
capabilities. The findings suggest that future research could focus on green and
environmental management issues which adopting sustainable supply chain
management, green innovation, and sustainable manufacturing practices, as well as
the attributes and competencies SMEs need for sustainability, including the role of
training, leadership, and organisational culture in sustainability initiatives.
Keywords: Triple Bottom Line (TBL), Economic, Social, Environmental, Sustainability
Performance, Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SMEs)
INTRODUCTION
Sustainability has emerged as a key objective for businesses, nonprofits, and government
entities over the past decade. It represents an organisation’s commitment to enduring and
thriving in the long term, balancing economic success with social responsibility and
environmental stewardship [1]. However, assessing an organisation’s commitment to
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Naharuddin, N. S., Rahim, R. A., & Ngah, R. (2024). Determinants Impacting the Triple Bottom Line Sustainability Performance in SMEs: A Systematic
Literature Analysis and Future Research Agenda. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 11(2.2). 66-77.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.112.2.16401
sustainability or its efforts towards sustainable growth remains a complex task. This
complexity arises from the challenges of defining sustainability, setting clear and achievable
goals, and developing a strategy for their attainment. In response to this complexity, an
established framework has been adopted to guide the approach to sustainability. The Triple
Bottom Line (TBL) is a commonly employed framework for evaluating a business’s
sustainability initiatives. It assesses three dimensions: economic, social, and environmental
impacts. Economic sustainability focuses on a business's profitability and competitiveness,
aiming to foster a robust and sustainable economy through actions like innovation,
infrastructure investment, and job creation [2]. Social sustainability emphasises a business's
role in creating inclusive and equitable societies. It prioritises the well-being of individuals and
communities by addressing issues such as healthcare access, gender equality, and poverty
reduction [3]. Environmental sustainability involves responsible resource management and
reducing ecological harm. It aims to safeguard the environment and natural resources through
practices like using sustainable materials, reducing pollution, and conserving energy [4].
Recognizing the importance of these three dimensions, many businesses worldwide have
changed their operational approaches. This change is driven by a dual motivation: to comply
with environmental rules and to meet increased customer demand for sustainable products
and services [5]. In Malaysia, government entities andbusinesses are actively integrating
sustainability into their long-term development plans. The Eleventh Malaysia Plan (2016-2020)
emphasised a capital- and people-based economy with a core objective of "Pursuing green
growth for sustainability and resilience" [6]. Building on this, the government is now
formulating the Twelfth Malaysia Plan (12MP) for 2021-2025, with a strong focus on
"Advancing Sustainability" [7]. This exemplifies Malaysia's dedication to achieving a balance
between economic prosperity and environmental preservation. However, Small and Medium
Enterprises (SMEs) may find achieving sustainability to be more challenging than large
businesses, due to their limited resources and expertise in areas such as technology, financial
and human capital [8]. Despite these challenges, SMEs play a crucial role in this context [9].
According to a report from [10], SMEs make up 97.4% of all businesses in Malaysia and
contribute 38.4% to the country's GDP. These SMEs span various sectors, with 84.7% in
services, 7.9% in construction, and 5.6% in manufacturing, while the rest operate in agriculture,
mining, and quarrying. The adoption of sustainable practices by these SMEs can lead to a
substantial positive impact on the country’s overall sustainability. As SMEs continue to thrive,
their role in creating jobs, driving innovation, and fortifying economic resilience becomes
increasingly evident. Thus, SMEs are essential in advancing economic development and
sustainability.
Therefore, this systematic review of the literature (SLR) concentrates on the Triple Bottom Line
(economic, social, and environmental) dimensions to thoroughly evaluate the factors impacting
the sustainability of businesses in SMEs. The intention is to offer insights applicable to SMEs in
Malaysia in the future. To achieve this goal, the paper is structured as follows: Section 2 outlines
the methodology for the systematic review, including research questions, review procedures,
inclusion/exclusion criteria, and data collection/analysis. Section 3 presents the key findings
from the reviewed literature, addressing research questions. Lastly, Section 4 summarizes
limitations and provides directions for further study in the area of SME sustainability in
Malaysia.
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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal (ASSRJ) Vol. 11, Issue 2.2, February-2024
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
METHODOLOGY
A systematic literature review is a method to examine existing research on a topic, as indicated
by [11]. Its purpose is to establish the current state of knowledge, highlight areas lacking
research, and identify topics requiring further investigation. To ensure the comprehensiveness
and impartiality of an SLR, six stages should be reviewed, with some stages potentially
requiring revisiting. Adapted from [12], the steps outlined in Figure 1 are significant and offer
guidance for conducting the review.
Research Questions
The initial step in the systematic literature review process involves formulating the research
questions (RQs), which function as the framework for the search and data extraction
procedures. Finding the topic of interest and conducting a preliminary study on it are the first
steps in creating a research question. Upon assessing the initial questions, the researcher then
determines what is still uncertain in that specific field. Subsequently, the researcher constructs
an RQ, examines it, and then narrows the emphasis and depth of the study topic. RQs must be
clear, narrowed, and arguable, thus, can be effective RQs. A good RQ promotes the creation of a
focused, debatable topic and a rational defence [13]. Among the methodologies and frameworks
used to structure RQs, the PICOC framework stands out for its comprehensiveness and
effectiveness. These PICOC are structured to include five essential elements as described in
Table 1 below.
Figure SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 1: Stages in Systematic Review Process
Table 1: Research Questions as structured by the PICOC criteria
Criteria Description
P: Population SMEs
I: Intervention The factors that contribute to the overall sustainability. This could include various
internal and external factors.
C: Comparison Null
O: Outcomes The overall sustainability of the SMEs encompasses economic, social, and environmental
aspects.
C: Context Malaysia
Ratan et al. [13]
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Naharuddin, N. S., Rahim, R. A., & Ngah, R. (2024). Determinants Impacting the Triple Bottom Line Sustainability Performance in SMEs: A Systematic
Literature Analysis and Future Research Agenda. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 11(2.2). 66-77.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.112.2.16401
Based on the PICOC criteria mentioned in Table 1, this paper will report on the two main RQs,
to identify and evaluate all the available research on sustainability (economic, social and
environmental) among SMEs. The following research questions are formulated:
• RQ1: What are the factors that contribute to the overall sustainability (economic,
social, and environmental aspects) of SMEs?
By addressing this question, the study aims to uncover the contributing factors and their
impact on the overall sustainability of SMEs.
• RQ2: What gaps or areas of further research emerge from the systematic
literature analysis that require additional exploration?
Addressing this question helps guide the development of a future research agenda,
ensuring that emerging issues and unexplored areas in SME sustainability are
recognized and considered for further investigation.
Conducting the Review
Creating a systematic search strategy and choosing relevant databases to compile valuable
information were the main goals of this phase. Developing a successful search string and
identifying the databases that have pertinent information depends heavily on the search
technique [14]. The selection of databases for SLR can be customized to the particular study
topic, with the number of databases required substantially depending on the topic area [15].
Consequently, the search string formulation should align with the terminology established for
the population under investigation within the SLR application, following the PICOC framework
(Table 1).
A set of keywords was identified for use in the systematic literature review and the search
protocol. The definition of SME was drawn from various studies by other organisations
[16][17][18]. It encompasses terms like ‘small firms’, ‘small companies’, ‘small businesses’,
‘small and medium enterprises’, and ‘small and medium-sized enterprises. Using these
keywords, we constructed a broad search string: ‘triple bottom line sustainability performance’
AND ‘SME’ OR ‘small firms’ OR ‘small and medium-sized enterprises’ OR ‘small and medium
enterprise’ OR ‘small businesses’ OR ‘small companies. This search string led to the
identification of a total of 358 publications across the eight selected databases.
The selected databases for conducting the search included Scopus, ScienceDirect, ACM Digital
Library, Emerald Insight, IEEE Xplore, ProQuest, Web of Science and Google Scholar. These
databases host peer-reviewed journals and offer access to a wide array of literature sources.
Each of these databases was chosen to ensure a thorough and comprehensive search, covering
a wide spectrum of research areas. By leveraging the strengths of these platforms, the study
aimed to access a diverse set of peer-reviewed literature sources and provide a more holistic
view of the research landscape.
The scope of our article search was confined to publications from 2019 to 2023. This timeframe
selection was made based on the understanding that research findings have a shelf life and that
relying on outdated sources can lead to inaccuracies and gaps in information [19]. Setting a
more recent time frame ensures that the literature review remains current and pertinent to the
current state of knowledge in the field [20].
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Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal (ASSRJ) Vol. 11, Issue 2.2, February-2024
Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom
Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria
Following the initial gathering of articles, we implemented a set of criteria for including or
excluding publications. As suggested by [21], the criteria for inclusion and exclusion are
contingent upon the research objectives andencompass aspects related to content,
methodology, and publication quality. In order to achieve a comprehensive selection of papers,
we adopted the inclusion and exclusion criteria proposed by [22].
Table 2: Systematic literature review study selection of literature using inclusion and
exclusion criteria.
Criteria Decision
When the predefined keywords exist as a whole or at least in the title, keywords
or abstract section of the paper
Inclusion
The paper was published in a scientific peer-reviewed journal Inclusion
The paper should be written in the English language Inclusion
Studies that present pieces of evidence on synergic/trade-off studies Inclusion
When the articles address at least one Sustainability Performance indicator Inclusion
Papers that are duplicated within the search documents Exclusion
Papers that are not accessible, review papers and meta-data Exclusion
Papers that are not primary/original research Exclusion
Papers that were published before 2019 Exclusion
Mengist et al. [22]
The overall process of screening and selecting relevant literature is depicted in Figure 2 by
using a PRISMA flow diagram adapted from [22][23]. The researcher began by identifying the
articles through database searching and discovered a total of 358 papers published between
2019 and 2023. These articles were identified from 8 different databases.
After removing 22 duplicate papers, 336 articles remained. Following this, the 336 articles were
assessed against eligibility criteria for further reading of titles and abstracts. Articles that did
not align with the research topic and those meeting specific exclusion criteria (such as chapters,
books, conference papers, review papers, or articles not in English) were marked for potential
removal, leaving 87 articles for in-depth reading of their main content. Of these 87, those that
did not clearly address sustainability performance (economic, social, and environmental)
among SMEs and inaccessible publications were manually eliminated. In the end, 45
publications met all the inclusion criteria specified in this systematic literature review work.
Quality Assessment
A structured form was developed to systematically gather data relevant to the research
questions and assess the quality of the primary study. This checklist, covers key aspects of a
study including its design, conduct, analysis, and conclusion, adapted from previous studies
[12][24][25]. Each category in Table 3 below contains specific questions related to the
individual study under consideration. The initial three criteria serve as a baseline to filter out
papers that don’t align with the SLR objective. The next seven criteria (4-10) address aspects of
methodology, data collection, and the tools employed for discovery. The last two criteria (11
and 12) assess the credibility of the papers, ensuring the validity and relevance of each study.
By assigning point values to each question within the checklist, the researchers can objectively
assess the quality of both quantitative and qualitative studies, with higher scores indicating
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Naharuddin, N. S., Rahim, R. A., & Ngah, R. (2024). Determinants Impacting the Triple Bottom Line Sustainability Performance in SMEs: A Systematic
Literature Analysis and Future Research Agenda. Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, 11(2.2). 66-77.
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.14738/assrj.112.2.16401
higher quality. A ratio scale is applied to each question, with “Yes” scoring 1 point, “No” 0 points,
and “Partially” 0.5 points. The total points give a quality score ranging from 0 (very poor) to 7
(very good). This method ensures a standardized and less biased evaluation of research articles.
Figure SEQ Figure \* ARABIC 2: Selection process based on PRISMA flow diagram (Adapted
from REF _Ref154513350 \r \h [22] REF _Ref154513369 \r \h [23])
Table 3: Quality Assessment Criteria
Item Answer
Design
Was the article referred to? Yes/No/Partially
Is/Are the aim(s) of the study clearly stated? Yes/No/Partially
What population was being studied? Yes/No/Partially
How was the sample obtained? Yes/No/Partially
Is/Are the measure(s) used in the study fully defined? Yes/No/Partially
Conduct
Is the data collection adequately described? Yes/No/Partially
Is the purpose of the data analysis clear? Yes/No/Partially
Analysis
What was the response rate? Yes/No/Partially
Was the population size reported? Yes/No/Partially
Record identified through
database searching: Total:
(n = 358)
Identification Screening Eligibility Included
Articles excluded: (n = 249)
Articles excluded: (n = 42) Full text articles assessed for
eligibility: (n = 87)
Title and abstract screening:
(n = 336)
Duplicates excluded
(n = 22)
Studies included in qualitative
synthesis: (n = 45)
Studies included in qualitative
synthesis (meta-analysis):
(n = 45)