Barriers to Sustainable Development Goal Attainment Among MSMEs: A Comprehensive Assessment

Abstract

Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) play a crucial role in economic development, employment generation, and sustainable growth. However, their adoption of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) faces several financial, technological, regulatory, and market-related challenges. This study aims to identify and analyze the major barriers faced by MSMEs in achieving SDGs. A structured questionnaire was administered to 120 MSME respondents in Haryana, capturing perceptions on 15 key sustainability challenges. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA to examine variations in perceptions across age demographics. Results indicate that financial constraints, high cost of green technologies, lack of technical knowledge, and limited awareness of SDGs are perceived as the most critical challenges. ANOVA results reveal that age does not significantly influence the perception of these challenges, suggesting that barriers are systemic rather than age-dependent. The findings highlight the need for policy interventions, financial support, capacity building, and market incentives to facilitate SDG adoption among MSMEs. The study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence on the challenges of sustainable practices in MSMEs and offers practical implications for policymakers and business support agencies.