This study investigates the interplay between internationalization and sustainable supply chain management (SSCM) practices among UK small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Drawing on 15 semistructured interviews with SME owner-managers and supply chain managers across industries in the United Kingdom, we examine the relationships among SMEs' international orientation, SSCM attitude, and practices. Interestingly, we find that stakeholders influence shifts with international orientation: Suppliers emerge as key barriers at the low level of international orientation, whereas customers become influential drivers at the medium level, and government regulations and diverse sustainability awareness present significant challenges at the high level. Notably, international orientation does not consistently influence SSCM attitude or determine the priorities in SSCM environmental and social practices. Some SMEs report that SSCM practices influence their international strategies, particularly in supply chain localization, supplier selection, and marketing approaches. This research contributes to understanding the complex relationship between international orientation and sustainability in SMEs, offering insights for practitioners managing international supply chains and policymakers supporting SME sustainability initiatives.
Do et al. (2026) studied this question.