Tailoring sustainability indicators to small and medium enterprises for measuring industrial sustainability performance

Purpose The lack of suitable indicators tailored to manufacturing industries’ needs, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), has been the major challenge measure manage industrial sustainability performance. This paper aims empirically analyze select useful applicable performance in context SMEs. Design/methodology/approach A systematic review was carried out identify potential from literature. questionnaire designed based on identified then pretested with selected experts, scholars, researchers further refine before data collection Italian footwear Fuzzy Delphi method consistency aggregation applied final indicators. Findings study’s findings show that emphasized measuring progress toward achieving goals terms increasing financial benefits, reducing costs, improving market competitiveness, effectiveness resources utilization, promoting well-being employees, customers community. In doing so, SMEs can contribute Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by health well-being, sustainable economic growth, providing productive employment decent work, ensuring responsible consumption production. Social implications results this study have significant social customers, Originality/value By supported SMEs, contributes existing knowledge field measurement. Furthermore, it links their respective SDGs provide policy implications.