Applying a Delphi Method to Assess the Sustainability in SMEs: an Approach of Triple Bottom Line

Objective: This study aims to build, with the opinion of experts, a weighting of the economic, social and environmental dimensions of the Sustainable Development model that should prevail in Small and Medium Enterprises, SMEs, when prioritizing their sustainable objectives. Theoretical Framework: The Triple Bottom Line, TBL, considers economic, environmental and social aspects equally in companies, and in the case of SMEs this research considers that the three aspects should have an equivalent value in any attempt at sustainability assessment. Method: The Delphi method was applied to a semi-random sample of 9 experts in economic, environmental and social areas, who assigned importance weights to different sustainability indicators based on the Global Reporting Initiative Standards, GRI, for the economic, social and environmental dimensions. Results and Discussion: The findings reveal a positive inclination towards equity in the TBL dimensions, with approximate weightings relative to each other, 32% in the economic dimension, 36% in the environmental dimension, and 32% in the social dimension. Research Implications: Expert perspectives are discussed from an interdisciplinary approach, providing insight into academic opinions regarding sustainability assessment. Originality/Value: This study contributes to the literature by proposing a weighting of the values ​​of each indicator of the GRI Standard through a consultation with experts using a Delphi Method, with an interdisciplinary approach to address the problem of sustainability.