SUSTAINABLE FINANCING FOR THE ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONTINUAL GROWTH: A GAP ANALYSIS AMONG SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN INDIA

Abstract

Considering the existing funding conditionalities in India, the small and medium enterprises have to face stringent norms as sustainable financing requirements based on Environment, Society and Governance (ESG) disclosures are becoming mandatory for every organization worldwide. The onus still turns to be more intense than ever for the small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The main purpose of this paper is to warn SMEs of the upcoming sustainable financing conditionalities and develop a clear understanding among the SMEs on why they should adapt sustainable financing norms and be resilient towards sustainable financing and ESG disclosures. This paper also tends to inspire SMEs for entrepreneurial growth by striking a balance between their financial requirements and mandatory obligations to benefit themselves, society and the Indian economy. Moreover, this paper focuses on the conceptual stipulation and early adaption of sustainable finance framework by the SMEs and strives to fathom the gap between the sustainable financing realities and the expected level of SMEs' exposure to sustainable financing and mandatory ESG disclosures. The research methodology identifies seven such areas interconnecting the sustainable financing and UN sustainable development goals (SDGs); Environment (Climate action & Carbon tax), Society (Sustainable Consumption & Externalities), Business (Sustainable Production) and Governance (Green finance, & ESG disclosures) and investigates to find the gap between the perception and expectation of SMEs about the mandatory requirements for sustainable financing and sustainability adaption in India.