Bridging the gap between business strategies and sustainability integration in Spanish food SME s

This paper examines the distinctive features of food small and medium -sized enterprises (SME s) regarding sustainable business models through the identification of relevant success factors and barriers for sustainability transition. Evidence from literature and empirical case data from 12 Spanish food SME s reveals the complexity of the nexus business model – sustainability and its high context dependency. Profitability, cooperation and innovation emerge as particularly critical for successful sustainability transitions in food SME s. Meanwhile, limited financial resources, regulatory compliance, and external shocks come out as major barriers. Evidence elicited from real-world examples facilitates the adoption of robust sustainability strategies in food business operations.