Effect of Sustainable Entrepreneurship Practices on the Non-Financial Performance of Fisheries SMEs in Tanzania

This paper seeks to investigate the relationship between social, economic, and environmental Sustainable Entrepreneurship Practices (SEPs) and the non-financial performance of fisheries Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and the mediating role of reasons for SMEs implementing SEPs. A semi-structured questionnaire was utilized to gather data from a sample of 389 entrepreneurs involved in the Nile perch fishery of Lake Victoria in Tanzania. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM) technique was used for statistical analysis of quantitative data. The findings indicate social and economic SEPs significantly affect the non-financial performance of fisheries SMEs, while environmental SEPs were insignificant. Also, reasons for SMEs implementing SEPs were found to have a partial mediating role in social and economic SEPs and no mediation role in environmental SEPs. The study recommends capacity building to fisheries SMEs entrepreneurs on the significance of environmental practices and their reciprocity effect on social and economic benefits to firms and communities at large, so as to improve their perceptions and attitudes towards environmental SEPs. Keywords: Sustainable entrepreneurship, Fisheries, Triple-bottom line, Firm performance