How sustainable development responsibilities shape ethical business practices in women-owned small enterprises

Sustainable development and business ethics are increasingly recognized as essential for addressing global challenges related to environmental degradation, social inequality, and economic instability; however, the ethical contributions of women owned small enterprises remain underexplored. This study examines how women entrepreneurs in service sector small enterprises integrate sustainable development responsibilities, namely economic responsibility aligned with SDG 8, social responsibility aligned with SDG 5 and SDG 10, and environmental responsibility aligned with SDG 7, into their ethical business practices. Drawing on primary data collected from 312 women entrepreneurs in Coimbatore, India, using a convenience sampling technique, the study employs Confirmatory Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling to test the proposed relationships. The findings show that social and economic responsibilities significantly influence ethical business practices, while environmental responsibility, although positively related, demonstrates a comparatively weaker effect due to structural and resource constraints. By extending the Triple Bottom Line framework, the study positions sustainability responsibilities as direct antecedents of ethical conduct in women led small enterprises, thereby bridging SDG commitments with micro level entrepreneurial practice. The results highlight the need for targeted policy and financial support to strengthen inclusive sustainability transitions.