“Beyond Profits to Planet: Exploring ESG, Waste, and Green Packaging Practices of MSME Food Processors – A Study of Consumer Perception”

Abstract

Profit is the center point of each and economic activity performed by any individual, business unit or the society, but profit without responsibility can be very dangerous not only for the humanity but for whole planet. In this regard, father of nation Mahatma Gandhi has rightly said that “Mother earth provides enough to satisfy our needs, but not our greed.” We the most intellect creature of the nature is continuously exploiting every available resource of the earth for our profits. With every passing day, to maximize our profits we are compromising our future we depend upon. The issue of climate change is one of the most significant outcomes of this irresponsible greed of profitability. Beyond the profits, planet is also our responsibility, this should be ideology of every business either it is a big corporate house or a MSME. MSMEs, the backbone of under-developed and developing economies, is significantly contributing in the development of the economy and generating employment. With every development every MSME must think that this development should be sustainable and responsible. The present study, aims to examine how Indian MSMEs, particularly those which are operating in food processing sector, trying to integrate with the sustainable practices and bring into line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). With the major objective, to explore consumer expectation regarding ESG practices in MSME food processing industries, to analyze the price sensitivity of consumer while supporting sustainable practices in the food sector and to find out the gap between consumer expectation and perceived adoption of sustainable practices in MSME food industry of Uttar Pradesh. The study adopts a combination of exploratory and analytical methodological frameworks, and for the purpose of analysis primary data was collected mainly through one of the non-random samplings that is snowball sampling.