The researchers looked at why small and medium-sized companies in Sweden may not be managing their energy use effectively. They found that the main barriers were lack of time, other priorities, limited expertise, and small company size. However, reducing waste, joining energy efficiency groups, saving money on lower energy use, and support from top management were key motivators for these businesses to improve energy management. Even though these companies were part of programs to help them manage energy better, there is still room for improvement. This research sheds light on the challenges and opportunities for small and medium-sized manufacturing companies in Sweden to better manage their energy use.