Triple bottom line practices and the growth agro-processing enterprises in Uganda

Abstract

The study examines how triple bottom line practices affect agro-processing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Uganda's Greater Kampala Metropolitan Area (GKMA). As most agro-processing SMEs in Uganda fail in their first year, growth remains a challenge. In this study, the growth of SMEs is examined through triple bottom line (TBL) practices. Business sustainability fields increasingly recognize the TBL. However, its use by SMEs in developing countries, particularly in agro-processing, is limited. This study offers two notable solutions to fill the research gap. The TBL concept consisting of the social, economic, and environmental sustainability pillars is utilized in a developing country context to address the agro-processing SME growth challenge, an area that has attracted less attention. Secondary, the study enhances theoretical understanding and practical TBL implementation with recommendations. Using a stratified random sampling, 367 respondents were selected. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire, analysed using Smart PLS. The findings show that the combined TBL practices significantly boost agro-processing SMEs' growth. The study developed a TBL-based model that agro-processing SMEs in Uganda can use to enliven their growth. We therefore recommend the integration of TBL model in agro-processing SMEs operations.