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Green products are highly demanded by the global population due to the fast depletion of world resources and high energy intensity use. However, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) still appear to lack knowledge in environment monitoring and improvement including the SMEs in Malaysia. For example, the implementation of a green innovation into products in SMEs is still relatively young and limited. This paper underlines the operational upgrade necessity to companies is needed in long run in the adoption of green product innovation. In addition, this paper analyses the issue, challenges, and significant characteristics of green environmental management practice in Malaysian SMEs. The related articles from secondary sources were carefully selected and analysed from reliable journal publishers. A total number of 26 paper that highly related to Malaysia SMEs cases, ranged from 2017 to 2021 were reviewed thoroughly. The major finding of this research paper has been related to the problems and barriers that faced by Malaysian SMEs. Research and development (R & D) are typically lacking in SMEs, as are economies of scale and the inability to change established operating practices. Many SMEs do not pay enough attention to improving the skills and knowledge of their employees, or they are unwilling to take advantage of government-sponsored training programs, which are designed to do just that. The results of this paper highlight the Malaysian SMEs challenges and possible changes to be done in assisting the SMEs to accomplish their sustainability goals through green product innovation change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of design and innovation through NPD process can be a good platform for Malaysian SMEs to enhance their competitiveness. However, less study has been conducted to examine how the process has been implemented by SMEs. NPD process requires a proper planning and commitment from the company. Managing the NPD process by utilized design as a source of innovation will improve the quality of the product. But, many of the SMEs not utilize the potential of design and innovation as their sources to gain competitiveness. Therefore, there are gaps on how the process has been conducted by SMEs such as how they implementing, managing and who are the parties should be involved in the process. The objective of this paper is to explore the process of new product development conducted by small and medium manufacturing industries (SMEs) through design and innovation in creating added value to a product, based on an empirical study covering product, furniture, and automotive manufacturing industries in Malaysia. A mixed-method was applied consist of 450 respondents for questionnaire survey and 12 selected participants from different group's namely industrial designers, marketers, and decision-makers. The results reveal the positive effects of managing design and innovations in the industries are important to improve product value and to enhance company performance through product development processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]