Local Embeddedness and Sustainable Development Goals of Minibreweries in Central Europe

Objective: The objective of this study is to identify the extent to which minibreweries in the V4 countries are able to implement the principles of circular economy and environmentally friendly behavior and whether their localization and input structure affect the extent of these activities. Theoretical Framework: Small and medium-sized enterprises are increasingly recognized as important actors in sustainability transitions. Minibreweries, due to their strong local embeddedness, represent an illustrative case for examining how location, supply chains, and firm size affect sustainable development goals (SDGs). Method: The analysis is based on primary data from a questionnaire survey among 40 breweries in Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary. A composite indicator (EnvScore) is constructed from five items measuring environmental practices. Statistical techniques included descriptive analysis, one-way and two-way ANOVA, OLS regression, and Tukey post-hoc tests. Results and Discussion: Breweries located in rural areas and small towns showed significantly higher environmental orientation than those in capital cities. A positive association was found between the share of domestic inputs and EnvScore, underscoring the importance of local supply chains. Production volume and country of origin did not significantly affect environmental behavior. These findings indicate that local context plays a stronger role than macro-level national differences. Research Implications: The results highlight the need for regional and national support schemes to consider the specificities of rural and locally embedded breweries in fostering sustainable practices and SDGs. Originality/Value: This paper provides one of the first comparative analyses of environmental behavior among minibreweries in the V4 region, linking micro-level business practices to broader debates on sustainability and circular economy.