Assessing the Contributions of Small and Medium Enterprises to Sustainable Development Goals: Evidence from Tandag and Bislig Cities, Philippines

Abstract

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) play a significant role in promoting economic growth, employment generation, and sustainable development through their contributions to local communities and economies. This study examined the profile of SMEs and assessed their contributions to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Tandag City and Bislig City, Surigao del Sur. A quantitative research approach utilizing a descriptive-survey design was employed. Data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to SME owners and managers. Using purposive sampling, a total of 190 respondents were selected from the population of registered SMEs in the study area. The findings revealed that the majority of SMEs were micro enterprises, primarily operating in the food and beverage sector, had been in operation for three to five years, and were predominantly organized as sole proprietorships. The overall extent of SME contribution to the SDGs was assessed as moderately contributed, indicating that SMEs actively support sustainable development through their business operations, although opportunities for improvement remain. Among the indicators, outcome tracking obtained the highest mean, while scale limitations recorded the lowest mean, suggesting that resource constraints continue to affect the expansion of sustainability initiatives. Furthermore, the results showed no significant differences in the extent of SME contributions to the SDGs when grouped according to size, sector, years of operation, and ownership structure. The study concludes that SMEs serve as important contributors to sustainable development regardless of their organizational profile. It is recommended that government agencies, local government units, and business support organizations strengthen capacity-building programs, provide greater access to financial and technological resources, and promote sustainability awareness to enhance SME participation in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.