SMEs’ construction of climate change risks: the role of networks and values

Abstract

In this paper we explore how SME managers’ network relations and values may be related to their construction of climate change (CC) as a business risk and responsibility. The paper takes a social-constructionist approach the topic of small business managers’ understanding and response to climate change risks. From this perspective, the paper investigates how the personal values held by managers, as well as the social structure, and particularly the networks in which they are embedded and participating enable and constrain the way in which they understand and enact climate change risks for their business. Keywords Business networks, personal values, climate change, small and medium sized enterprises