First article PhD Manon Eikelenboom published

Manon Eikelenboom, PhD researcher at UG/Campus Fryslân, recently published her first article in collaboration with prof. Gjalt de Jong. Together they investigated the impact of dynamic capacities on the sustainability performance of small and medium-sized businesses.

Achieving social and ecological goals in addition to economic interests can be difficult for SMEs due to a shortage of time and (financial) resources. “We have investigated whether dynamic capacities (capacities that help companies adapt to the changing environment) can help these companies achieve social, ecological and economic goals. We also looked at the effect of leadership on the sustainable performance of the companies, "says Eikelenboom.

The research showed that capacities that integrate information from external parties (for example suppliers or consumers) into the organization can help SMEs achieve all three sustainable goals. In addition, the study found that business leaders with a transformational leadership style have a positive influence on development on these capacities. In contrast to leaders who see sustainability as a risk for the organization.

"The impact of dynamic capabilities on sustainability performance of SMEs" is published in the Journal of Cleaner Production and can be read until the end of August.  

As a Sustainable Entrepreneurship PhD, Eikelenboom is part of the Flagship Sustainable Economy.