Sustainability Practices among Tanzanian SMEs: Examining the Roles of digital technologies, and public policy

Sustainability Practices among Tanzanian SMEs: Examining the Roles of digital technologies, and public policy | Research Square window.SnipcartSettings = { analytics: { enabled: false } }; (function() { var accessVector = localStorage.getItem('access_vector') || ''; window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; if (accessVector) { window.dataLayer.push({ user: { profile: { profileInfo: { snid: accessVector } } } }); } })(); (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start':new Date().getTime(),event:'gtm.js'});var f=d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0],j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'?'&l='+l:'';j.async=true;j.src='https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f);})(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-K279D39R'); Browse Preprints In Review Journals COVID-19 Preprints AJE Video Bytes Research Tools Research Promotion AJE Professional Editing AJE Rubriq About Preprint Platform In Review Editorial Policies Our Team Advisory Board Help Center Sign In Submit a Preprint Cite Share Download PDF Research Article Sustainability Practices among Tanzanian SMEs: Examining the Roles of digital technologies, and public policy Marjorie Lecerf, Marketa Lepicosky, Bernard Mnzava This is a preprint; it has not been peer reviewed by a journal. https://doi.org/ 10.21203/rs.3.rs-8218692/v1 This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Abstract This research aims to investigate the regulation policies that support sustainable practices among Tanzanian SMEs. In the increasingly complex landscape of modern business, effective sustainability management is essential for enabling these enterprises to navigate new challenges. Public players play a pivotal role in establishing frameworks that not only enhance performance but also promote long-run development within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The diverse networks formed among SMEs contribute to a deep understanding of the decision making process, addressing specific challenges while fostering sustainability. Key factors, including the digitalization of the communication, influence the effectiveness of these sustainability-oriented practices by shaping interactions and cooperation among stakeholders. This study analyzes 529 Tanzanian SMEs to uncover the critical determinants that enhance sustainable practices adoption. The findings provide valuable insights into how these approaches can be strengthened to support the ongoing advancement of sustainability initiatives within the SME sector in East Africa. Digital Adoption SMEs public policies Sustainability Knowledge Based View Theory Full Text Additional Declarations The authors declare no competing interests. Ethics / IRB Waiver StatementThis study, “Sustainability Practices among Tanzanian SMEs: Examining the Roles of Digital Technologies and Public Policy”, was conducted within the context of the Institute of Finance Management (IFM) in Tanzania, which does not operate an Institutional Review Board (IRB) or equivalent ethics committee. The data collected consisted solely of non-sensitive demographic variables and voluntary survey responses, the survey was fully anonymous, and no identifying information was collected.. In accordance with IFM research practices, no IRB approval was required for this type of minimal-risk study. Therefore, an IRB waiver applies by institutional policy. All participants provided voluntary and informed consent prior to participation. Cite Share Download PDF Status: Posted Version 1 posted You are reading this latest preprint version Research Square lets you share your work early, gain feedback from the community, and start making changes to your manuscript prior to peer review in a journal. As a division of Research Square Company, we’re committed to making research communication faster, fairer, and more useful. We do this by developing innovative software and high quality services for the global research community. Our growing team is made up of researchers and industry professionals working together to solve the most critical problems facing scientific publishing. Also discoverable on Platform About Our Team In Review Editorial Policies Advisory Board Help Center Resources Author Services Accessibility API Access RSS feed Manage Cookie Preferences © Research Square 2026 | ISSN 2693-5015 (online) Privacy Policy Terms of Service Do Not Sell My Personal Information {"props":{"pageProps":{"initialData":{"identity":"rs-8218692","acceptedTermsAndConditions":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"archivedVersions":[],"articleType":"Research Article","associatedPublications":[],"authors":[{"id":551563695,"identity":"947d52a2-8c90-4848-93d4-3aed476cafc3","order_by":0,"name":"Marjorie Lecerf","email":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAZAAAAAyAQMAAABI0h/eAAAABlBMVEX///8AAABVwtN+AAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAA40lEQVRIiWNgGAWjYBACPjBpw8BgwM7Y+ADI5OEjpIUNTKYBtTAzNhuAtLCRoIWBTQIhgk8Le/PDxxUJdxK3MzO3VX7NsZNhY2B++OgGPi08x4wNzyQ8S9zZzNh2W3ZbMtBhbMbGOfi0SOSwSTb+OJy44TBQi+Q2ZqAWHjZpvFrk37D/bEiAaCmW3FZPhBYJHjZGmBbGj9sOE6GFJ81YsiHhmTHQL83SjNuO87AxE/ALP/vhhx8bEu7Ibmdvf/jx57Zqe35QGOLTAgUHwCQzD5gkrByhhfEHcapHwSgYBaNghAEAwW1EyiQ15hsAAAAASUVORK5CYII=","orcid":"https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7236-3427","institution":"Higher Colleges of Technology","correspondingAuthor":true,"prefix":"","firstName":"Marjorie","middleName":"","lastName":"Lecerf","suffix":""},{"id":551563696,"identity":"300fb8ab-3843-4118-8928-a08550ed385b","order_by":1,"name":"Marketa Lepicosky","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Higher Colleges of Technology","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Marketa","middleName":"","lastName":"Lepicosky","suffix":""},{"id":551563697,"identity":"cd03949b-4532-47be-a4b5-9768aca8e5a5","order_by":2,"name":"Bernard Mnzava","email":"","orcid":"","institution":"Institute of Finance Management (IFM) Tanzania","correspondingAuthor":false,"prefix":"","firstName":"Bernard","middleName":"","lastName":"Mnzava","suffix":""}],"badges":[],"createdAt":"2025-11-27 06:47:38","currentVersionCode":1,"declarations":{"humanSubjects":false,"vertebrateSubjects":false,"conflictsOfInterestStatement":false,"humanSubjectEthicalGuidelines":false,"humanSubjectConsent":false,"humanSubjectClinicalTrial":false,"humanSubjectCaseReport":false,"vertebrateSubjectEthicalGuidelines":false},"doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8218692/v1","doiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8218692/v1","draftVersion":[],"editorialEvents":[],"editorialNote":"","failedWorkflow":false,"files":[{"id":97666527,"identity":"1d428c17-45a7-4ffd-ab79-ac1dfe6c67a2","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-08 09:21:28","extension":"docx","order_by":0,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":288087,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Sustainability27NOV.docx","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8218692/v1/58a20cf128e7865130240986.docx"},{"id":97422264,"identity":"bc2e51ec-e207-4d16-afb2-7c664136be84","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-04 08:42:00","extension":"json","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":342,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"rs8218692.json","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8218692/v1/1b6760141fb28781bf08a406.json"},{"id":97422259,"identity":"44cb78f0-e349-406f-8481-7ccc27db9da2","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-04 08:42:00","extension":"xml","order_by":2,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":129087,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"rs82186920enriched.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8218692/v1/00b7261daa4cb87ba650220e.xml"},{"id":97422265,"identity":"5ba54f5b-a74d-4ae7-ab4c-a6f78c84fbc1","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-04 08:42:02","extension":"png","order_by":3,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":110699,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"floatimage1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8218692/v1/59d8b5f99faf7bf6e8f5d164.png"},{"id":97422262,"identity":"ec3e3690-82c6-4dcd-8154-83c634909fa8","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-04 08:42:00","extension":"png","order_by":4,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":53159,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Onlinefloatimage1.png","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8218692/v1/4ec4b67d405a4bcd7794a886.png"},{"id":97422263,"identity":"82fec31d-f7b2-4246-ab68-9a597231a7a7","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-04 08:42:00","extension":"xml","order_by":5,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":127730,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"rs82186920structuring.xml","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8218692/v1/111e68bd77ec9476953759c0.xml"},{"id":97422260,"identity":"59d36e3c-50af-443c-93da-0b99eb3cf341","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-04 08:42:00","extension":"html","order_by":6,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"acdc-reference","size":132571,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"earlyproof.html","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8218692/v1/b8fdbc5eb61ca4eefe270a10.html"},{"id":97677288,"identity":"168adffd-a20f-4b0e-9804-766f4df7b21a","added_by":"auto","created_at":"2025-12-08 09:52:50","extension":"pdf","order_by":1,"title":"","display":"","copyAsset":false,"role":"manuscript-pdf","size":553173,"visible":true,"origin":"","legend":"","description":"","filename":"Sustainability27NOV.pdf","url":"https://assets-eu.researchsquare.com/files/rs-8218692/v1_covered_b2b6e43a-fe88-42dd-a4c0-fa6be5e41c7a.pdf"}],"financialInterests":"\u003cp\u003eThe authors declare no competing interests.\u003c/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEthics / IRB Waiver StatementThis study, “Sustainability Practices among Tanzanian SMEs: Examining the Roles of Digital Technologies and Public Policy”, was conducted within the context of the Institute of Finance Management (IFM) in Tanzania, which does not operate an Institutional Review Board (IRB) or equivalent ethics committee. The data collected consisted solely of non-sensitive demographic variables and voluntary survey responses, the survey was fully anonymous, and no identifying information was collected.. In accordance with IFM research practices, no IRB approval was required for this type of minimal-risk study. Therefore, an IRB waiver applies by institutional policy. All participants provided voluntary and informed consent prior to participation.\u003c/p\u003e","formattedTitle":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSustainability Practices among Tanzanian SMEs: Examining the Roles of digital technologies, and public policy\u003c/strong\u003e\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/p\u003e","fulltext":[],"fulltextSource":"","fullText":"","funders":[],"hasAdminPriorityOnWorkflow":false,"hasManuscriptDocX":false,"hasOptedInToPreprint":true,"hasPassedJournalQc":"","hasAnyPriority":true,"hideJournal":true,"highlight":"","institution":"","isAcceptedByJournal":false,"isAuthorSuppliedPdf":true,"isDeskRejected":"","isHiddenFromSearch":false,"isInQc":false,"isInWorkflow":false,"isPdf":true,"isPdfUpToDate":true,"isWithdrawnOrRetracted":false,"journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true},"keywords":"Digital Adoption, SMEs public policies, Sustainability, Knowledge Based View Theory","lastPublishedDoi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8218692/v1","lastPublishedDoiUrl":"https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-8218692/v1","license":{"name":"CC BY 4.0","url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/"},"manuscriptAbstract":"\u003cp\u003eThis research aims to investigate the regulation policies that support sustainable practices among Tanzanian SMEs. In the increasingly complex landscape of modern business, effective sustainability management is essential for enabling these enterprises to navigate new challenges. Public players play a pivotal role in establishing frameworks that not only enhance performance but also promote long-run development within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. The diverse networks formed among SMEs contribute to a deep understanding of the decision making process, addressing specific challenges while fostering sustainability. Key factors, including the digitalization of the communication, influence the effectiveness of these sustainability-oriented practices by shaping interactions and cooperation among stakeholders. This study analyzes 529 Tanzanian SMEs to uncover the critical determinants that enhance sustainable practices adoption. The findings provide valuable insights into how these approaches can be strengthened to support the ongoing advancement of sustainability initiatives within the SME sector in East Africa.\u003c/p\u003e","manuscriptTitle":"Sustainability Practices among Tanzanian SMEs: Examining the Roles of digital technologies, and public policy","msid":"","msnumber":"","nonDraftVersions":[{"code":1,"date":"2025-12-04 08:41:54","doi":"10.21203/rs.3.rs-8218692/v1","editorialEvents":[{"type":"communityComments","content":0}],"status":"published","journal":{"display":true,"email":"[email protected]","identity":"researchsquare","isNatureJournal":false,"hasQc":true,"allowDirectSubmit":true,"externalIdentity":"","sideBox":"","snPcode":"","submissionUrl":"/submission","title":"Research Square","twitterHandle":"researchsquare","acdcEnabled":true,"dfaEnabled":false,"editorialSystem":"","reportingPortfolio":"","inReviewEnabled":false,"inReviewRevisionsEnabled":true}}],"origin":"","ownerIdentity":"129efdae-a9eb-46c5-94e4-a72e7499f09c","owner":[],"postedDate":"December 4th, 2025","published":true,"recentEditorialEvents":[],"rejectedJournal":[],"revision":"","amendment":"","status":"posted","subjectAreas":[],"tags":[],"updatedAt":"2025-12-04T08:41:54+00:00","versionOfRecord":[],"versionCreatedAt":"2025-12-04 08:41:54","video":"","vorDoi":"","vorDoiUrl":"","workflowStages":[]},"version":"v1","identity":"rs-8218692","journalConfig":"researchsquare"},"__N_SSP":true},"page":"/article/[identity]/[[...version]]","query":{"redirect":"/article/rs-8218692","identity":"rs-8218692","version":["v1"]},"buildId":"8U1c8b4HqxoKbykW_rLl7","isFallback":false,"isExperimentalCompile":false,"dynamicIds":[84888],"gssp":true,"scriptLoader":[]}