Sustainability Practices in Logistics of SMEs in Nepal
Shrestha, Yunish (2025)
2025
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025121536527
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025121536527
Tiivistelmä
This thesis aimed to examine the status, factors, and perceived effects of sustainable logistics practices in small and medium-sized enterprises in the context of Nepal. The thesis specifically evaluated the adoption, the factors that mostly drive and hinder the adoption, and the perceived performance measures in terms of the Triple Bottom Line approach.
Methodologically, the paper employed a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional design, surveying logistics SME managers and owners in the Nepalese environment. The structured questionnaire was utilized in order to gather the information, and mean score ranking was used in the process of analysing the data. Theoretical underpinnings applied in interpreting the results are the TBL approach and the Resource-Based View.
The findings showed that the adoption tends to be deeply rooted in the realm of pragmatism and the need for cost-cutting, where the adoption of route optimization and energy-saving measures has seen the direct application of cost-cutting measures. Looking at the driving factors, the improvement in corporate reputation and worker safety has come out on top. The factors that work against the adoption, the restraining factors, are largely external, where the lack of adequate infrastructure and the unreliability of the power supply have come out on top. The perceived effect would then reveal highly positive returns on all three dimensions, where the Social Pillar, specifically the improvement in driver and worker safety, has come out on top.
The Nepalese logistics SMEs have the strong intention and ability in adopting cost-effective sustainable strategies, but the weaknesses in the macro-environment and lack of funds prevent the widespread use of the strategies. The results highlight the importance of implementing government policies that would strengthen the basic infrastructure in coordination with the management actions in the SMEs.
Methodologically, the paper employed a quantitative approach with a cross-sectional design, surveying logistics SME managers and owners in the Nepalese environment. The structured questionnaire was utilized in order to gather the information, and mean score ranking was used in the process of analysing the data. Theoretical underpinnings applied in interpreting the results are the TBL approach and the Resource-Based View.
The findings showed that the adoption tends to be deeply rooted in the realm of pragmatism and the need for cost-cutting, where the adoption of route optimization and energy-saving measures has seen the direct application of cost-cutting measures. Looking at the driving factors, the improvement in corporate reputation and worker safety has come out on top. The factors that work against the adoption, the restraining factors, are largely external, where the lack of adequate infrastructure and the unreliability of the power supply have come out on top. The perceived effect would then reveal highly positive returns on all three dimensions, where the Social Pillar, specifically the improvement in driver and worker safety, has come out on top.
The Nepalese logistics SMEs have the strong intention and ability in adopting cost-effective sustainable strategies, but the weaknesses in the macro-environment and lack of funds prevent the widespread use of the strategies. The results highlight the importance of implementing government policies that would strengthen the basic infrastructure in coordination with the management actions in the SMEs.