Motivated by the growing attention on climate change, this study provides an up‐to‐date and comprehensive systematic literature review (SLR) on small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) carbon footprint reduction initiatives and green jobs. Based on datasets from databases that include Web of Science, Scopus, ProQuest and Google Scholar, we conducted a SLR of 70 published articles spanning 2012 to 2022. Using VOSviewer and InfraNodus, bibliographic cluster analysis revealed the existence of three clusters namely; the role of green job initiatives and green human resource management in SMEs (cluster 1); green innovation, green Initiatives, green strategy and circular economy in SMEs (cluster 2); carbon footprint reduction initiatives, carbon performance, carbon management and carbon emission in SMEs (cluster 3). We found that SMEs adopt green supply chain, employing energy‐saving strategies, eco‐friendly waste reductions and recycling, circular economy, and green office practices. The study results indicate that these carbon footprint initiatives can lead to green job creation since green competences are required to implement green initiatives. However, value propositions relating to carbon reduction initiatives within SMEs need to be integrated with employee engagement. Additionally, the SLR identifies future research areas that include exploring the association among SMEs carbon footprint, green innovation and green jobs, and strategies to enhance climate change initiatives. Consequently, we call for future research to focus on the design of green jobs tracking and carbon footprint reduction reporting framework to support SMEs' green initiatives. The findings have key policy implications for SME owners, policymakers, practitioners and future researchers.

中文翻译：

---

中小企业的碳足迹减少举措作为绿色就业的催化剂：系统回顾和全面的业务战略议程


在人们对气候变化日益关注的推动下，本研究提供了有关中小企业（SME）碳足迹减少举措和绿色就业的最新且全面的系统文献综述（SLR）。基于 Web of Science、Scopus、ProQuest 和 Google Scholar 等数据库的数据集，我们对 2012 年至 2022 年期间发表的 70 篇文章进行了 SLR。使用 VOSviewer 和 InfraNodus，书目聚类分析揭示了三个聚类的存在，即：绿色就业举措和绿色人力资源管理在中小企业中的作用（第一类）；中小企业的绿色创新、绿色举措、绿色战略和循环经济（第二组）；中小企业的碳足迹减少举措、碳绩效、碳管理和碳排放（集群 3）。我们发现，中小企业采用绿色供应链，采用节能策略、环保废物减少和回收、循环经济和绿色办公实践。研究结果表明，这些碳足迹举措可以创造绿色就业机会，因为实施绿色举措需要绿色能力。然而，与中小企业碳减排举措相关的价值主张需要与员工参与相结合。此外，SLR 还确定了未来的研究领域，包括探索中小企业碳足迹、绿色创新和绿色就业之间的关联，以及加强气候变化举措的战略。因此，我们呼吁未来的研究重点关注绿色就业跟踪和碳足迹减少报告框架的设计，以支持中小企业的绿色举措。研究结果对中小企业主、政策制定者、从业者和未来的研究人员具有重要的政策意义。