A comparative literature review survey of employee HIV and AIDS-related corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices in small, micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs) in Zimbabwe and South Africa

In light of current business trends, social responsibility has become a strategic tool for such important outcomes as financial gains and market positioning, amongst others. However, social responsibility for businesses has been mainly associated with large corporations, and Small to Medium Enterprises (SMEs) were insignificant as they regarded social responsibility as a costly, unsustainable business initiative. Considering wholesale and retail SMEs in EThekwini Municipal region, corporate social responsibility has been growing greater importance in the minds of businesses. Given the enormity of the South African economy, social responsibility for business took centre stage during the socio-economic turbulence experienced in the country. To a great extent, social responsibility has appeared in literature covering large organisations but comparably, microscopic and scarce theoretical or empirical literature existing for small and medium enterprises. However, this scenario undermines the importance and critical role that SMEs play in the economy of the KwaZulu-Natal region. This research study aims to investigate Corporate Social Responsibility on Sustainable Growth of wholesale and retail SMEs in EThekwini Municipal region. This shall be done by assessing the attitude levels of wholesale and retail SMEs towards corporate social responsibility; investigating the practice of corporate social responsibility by wholesale and retail SMEs; exploring barriers undermining the practice of corporate social responsibility by wholesale and retail SMEs; and exploring SME owner-managers’ values key to the sustainable growth of the business. The Stakeholder Theoretical framework guides this study and a mixed method approach was adopted where data was collected by carrying out surveys. The researcher pedantically probed participants with the same questions by means of structured questionnaires. The primary data in respect of CSR on Sustainable Growth of wholesale and retail SMEs in EThekwini Municipal region were obtained by means of self-administered questionnaires and semi-structured interviews, which followed the completed questionnaires. The research considers a target population drawn from the membership list of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The study was carried out and consisted of businesses that employed more than 20 and less than 200 fulltime employees. This research study is descriptive in nature and will make use of a descriptive model for data analysis. Regarding Corporate Social Responsibility on Sustainable Growth, the study mainly focused on wholesale and retail SMEs. To a large extent, the attitudes and perceptions of the respondents were negative and rather insignificant when it came to implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility. The main reason for this was the cost attached to CSR. In some instances, owner managers were not aware of the positive impact of CSR as a strategic tool in the sustainable growth of the business through participation. It emerged that majority of wholesale and retail SMEs were not fully involving Stakeholders in their business activities as required by the Stakeholder Theory. Some Stakeholders are valued more than others and many do not practice CSR towards the community and the natural environment, regarding it as extra-curricular from their core-business. In addition, majority of wholesale and retail SMEs rated their businesses as averagely successful citing the unstable economy that South Africa is currently going through which has seen unemployment rising above approximately 25 percent in 2013. The results showed that the major reason, amongst other reasons, causing wholesale and retail SMEs in EThekwini Municipal region fail to commit to CSR is the cost and the impact of practising CSR on their profit. Furthermore, SME businesses were of the belief that CSR was only for large corporations and that SMEs were insignificant since they had rather less or no impact on the environment. SMEs held the municipal authority responsible for practising social responsibility on the environment since they (SMEs) followed all the laws of the land. This study aspired to expand and contribute significantly to the body of knowledge regarding CSR by examining CSR on sustainable growth of wholesale and retail SMEs in EThekwini Municipal region. As new knowledge, the study proposed a model based on the Stakeholder Theory which is meant to assist wholesale and retail SMEs in EThekwini Municipal region to apply positive attitude towards embracing CSR in their businesses. However, the study recommends that local authorities and chambers of commerce must play a leading role in awareness and support mobilisation to try and motivate wholesale and retail SMEs to practise CSR. In addition, it is recommended that the phrase ‘Corporate Social Responsibility’ should be re-phrased as ‘Small Business Responsibility’ or generally ‘Business Responsibility’ as a way of contextualising the whole responsible business idea, promote and refer to the social responsibility of SMEs. The phrase simply drives SMEs to think that they are excluded from the practice because of their size. The concept Corporate Social Responsibility imposes a challenging journey on SMEs, it is psychologically intimidating to SMEs, hence resistance to the practise of CSR.

Environmental management and corporate social responsibility practices of small and medium-sized enterprises

There is a consensus about SMEs being key to the growth of most economies in Africa and the world in general. SMEs have been branded as fecund drivers of economic growth and sustainable development in South Africa and the world at large. The existence of SMEs in any economy is of paramount importance despite them bullied by large corporations. There is growing recognition of the important role SMEs play in economic development. SMEs often described as efficient and prolific job creators, the seeds of big businesses and the fuel of national economic engines with much hype on their ability to create employment. Research on Corporate Social Responsibility in SMEs is limited, especially in developing countries. Considering Hospitality sector in Pietermaritzburg Municipal region, corporate social responsibility has been growing greater importance in the minds of businesses. Given the enormity of the South African economy, social responsibility for business took centre stage during the socio-economic turbulence experienced in the country. While playing such a significant role in the economy, to address this, the study will investigate perceived effectiveness of Corporate Social Responsibility as a stimulant of growth for SMEs in the service sector in Pietermaritzburg municipal area. The research shall consider the convenience and purposive sampling as sampling strategies. It will employ a sampling design where participants are conveniently but purposively selected on a volunteering basis. The quantitative approach will be used where a questionnaire is going to be used to obtain and analyse primary data. The study will make use of numeric data making use of descriptive research design to drive results and conclusions. This shall be done by assessing the attitude levels of Hospitality SMEs towards corporate social responsibility; the practice of corporate social responsibility by hospitality SMEs; exploring barriers undermining the practice of corporate social responsibility by hospitality SMEs; and exploring SME owner-managers‘ values key to the sustainable growth of the business. This study aspired to expand and contribute significantly to the body of knowledge regarding CSR by examining CSR on sustainable growth of hospitality SMEs in Pietermaritzburg Municipal region. As new knowledge, the study proposed a model based on the Stakeholder Theory which is meant to assist Hospitality SMEs in Pietermaritzburg Municipal region to apply positive attitude towards embracing CSR in their businesses. However, the study recommends that local authorities and chambers of commerce must play a leading role in awareness and support mobilisation to try and motivate hospitality SMEs to practise CSR. In addition, it is recommended that the phrase ‗Corporate Social Responsibility‘ should be re-phrased as ‗Small Business Responsibility‘ or generally ‗Business Responsibility‘ as a way of contextualising the whole responsible business idea, promote and refer to the social responsibility of SMEs. The phrase simply drives SMEs to think that they are excluded from the practice because of their size. The concept Corporate Social Responsibility imposes a challenging journey on SMEs it is psychologically intimidating to SMEs, hence resistance to the practise of CSR.

Purpose This study examines the adoption of corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in a developing economy. The purpose of this study is to explore the challenges faced by SMEs in adopting CSR practices and to identify strategies that enhance their CSR engagement. Design/methodology/approach Grounded in social capital theorization, this study uses a qualitative research methodology, incorporating semi-structured interviews with 34 SME owners and managers from the Nigerian business environment. Findings This research reveals that CSR adoption among Nigerian SMEs is hindered by four key factors: stakeholder apathy, politically motivated CSR interventions, cultural nuances and “tone at the top”. This study further identifies resilience-building and regulatory compliance as pivotal strategies used by Nigerian SMEs to enhance their CSR engagement. Originality/value This research offers profound insights from SME owners and managers, examining the complex dynamics of historical mistrust, political instrumentalization, cultural intricacies and leadership issues that hinder CSR engagement among SMEs. The study emphasizes the importance of nuanced strategies that align CSR practices with local cultural expectations, thereby contributing to a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by SMEs in integrating CSR into their business models.

Given the increasing importance of the role played by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) within the developing economy, this paper intends to provide further insight into corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices among SMEs. Within this context, the purpose is to propose the role of non-audit services (NAS), which contribute to the possible explanation of the SME adoption of CSR practices. A conceptual approach is taken whereby this paper is based on an extensive literature review of NAS and CSR practices in the SME context. Then, based on the knowledge-based view (KBV), this paper set to explain and highlight the role of NAS play to enhance CSR practices among SMEs. This paper provides a theoretical discussion on the importance of CSR in ensuring the survival of the SMEs. Although the proposition of NAS is relatively new, it provides an interesting and remarkable avenue for further research especially in the developing country. Overall, this paper draws attention to the importance of NAS in enhancing the survival and performance of the SMEs.

Given the increasing importance of the role played by small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) within the developing economy, this paper intends to provide further insight into corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices among SMEs. Within this context, the purpose is to propose the role of non-audit services (NAS), which contribute to the possible explanation of the SME adoption of CSR practices. A conceptual approach is taken whereby this paper is based on an extensive literature review of NAS and CSR practices in the SME context. Then, based on the knowledge-based view (KBV), this paper set to explain and highlight the role of NAS play to enhance CSR practices among SMEs. This paper provides a theoretical discussion on the importance of CSR in ensuring the survival of the SMEs. Although the proposition of NAS is relatively new, it provides an interesting and remarkable avenue for further research especially in the developing country. Overall, this paper draws attention to the importance of NAS in enhancing the survival and performance of the SMEs.

The impact of stakeholders' pressure and business uncertainties on the correlation between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and organizational performance within small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) is under researched. This study aims to derive the correlation of CSR antecedents, CSR practices, stakeholders' pressures, business uncertainties, and organizational performance of SMEs in the UAE. The data was collected through a survey from 117 SMEs in the UAE, and analyzed using structural equation modeling. The study reveals that the level of importance SMEs attach to CSR antecedents influences positively the extent of SMEs involvement with CSR practices; and these, in turn, translate into significant performance outcomes for SMEs. Business uncertainties are proved to moderate both relationships (CSR antecedents‐CSR practices; and CSR practices‐SMEs performance); while stakeholders' pressure is found to have no moderating effect on CSR antecedent‐CSR practices relationship. The proposed framework could be adopted in any economy for enhancing performance through CSR.

PurposeThe research aims to profoundly investigate the correlation between uncertainty-fear against COVID-19, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and labor practices issues based on ISO 26000.Design/methodology/approachPartial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was adopted for data analysis and hypotheses testing on a sample of 304 managers and employees in the Egyptian small and medium enterprises (SMEs).FindingsPreliminary results indicate that the uncertainty-fear against COVID-19 positively affects CSR practices in SMEs. CSR positively impacts labor practices dimensions. However, CSR has an insignificant effect on the social protection and work condition dimension. Also, CSR has a significant mediating role in the association between uncertainty-fear toward the pandemic and labor practices. But, this relation is insignificant regarding social protection and work condition dimension.Practical implicationsManagers could develop a consistent strategy for applying CSR practices, providing clear information and focusing on their procedures to protect their workforce during COVID-19. Governments should impose policies to guarantee that all employees have the same opportunities and not discriminate directly or indirectly in any labor practice.Originality/valueBased on both the “stakeholder” and “social-cognitive” theories, this study shed light on the optimistic side of the COVID-19 pandemic, as it also brings the concepts of social responsibility, sustainability and green practices back into the light, which helps in solving labor issues.

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are an important business sector in South Africa, while also contributing to new job opportunities and development all over the world. It is assumed the implementation of a strategic philosophy such as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) can enhance performance of SMEs, as it involves organisations acting responsibly and ethically towards society, the environment and other stakeholders to maximise positive impact, not merely increase profit. CSR has received much attention in the business world, nevertheless, several SMEs in the manufacturing sector do not recognise how their practice closely affects employees, society, and the environment. Studies show manufacturers deposit their waste into some of the country’s main rivers, which affects individuals in the surroundings, demonstrating the lack of business manufacturers involvement in CSR practices. Hence, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the extent to which CSR practices influence SME performance in the automotive manufacturing sector of the eThekwini Metropolitan Municipality. The study objective is thus to evaluate the influence of environmental CSR practices, ethical CSR labour practices, and the public good of CSR, on SME performance. Being quantitative in nature, structured questionnaires were employed to gather data from the targeted population of 120 SME owners in the automotive manufacturing sector, with the sampling size of 110 SME owners and 10 SME owners for pilot study. The study reveals the demographic variables that have a relationship with CSR practices, as well as variables that do not. This includes environmental, ethical labour and public good CSR practices and their relationship with demographic variables. Ethical CSR labour practices showed no relationship with any demographic variable when using ANOVA technique. All statistical results are achieved with Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) techniques, including descriptive statistics, chisquare, Pearson correlation co-efficient and ANOVA techniques. The study is limited to automotive manufacturing SMEs and CSR practices. Description: Submitted in fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Management Sciences Specialising in Business Administration at the Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa, 2023

The purpose of this study is to explore the perceptions and practices of corporate social responsibility (CSR) among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Pakistan. To examine the perceptions and practices of CSR in Pakistan, this study used the data collected through two different sources: a survey instrument (questionnaire) and qualitative interviews. The findings of this study reveal that SMEs’ approach to CSR in Pakistan is unstructured; however, they are practicing CSR activities in an informal manner with mixed (internal as well as external oriented) methods in most cases. However, few SMEs are also practicing CSR activities in formal manners with external oriented dominant methods over internal methods. The findings of this study will assist SMEs, supporting groups, policy makers and researchers to identify the present state of SMEs regarding CSR practices in Pakistan. The findings might provide important guidelines for the other developing economies in the region as well, as the concept is also emerging in these economies. The finding of this study will also help to formulate future CSR policy for SMEs in Pakistan.

This study expanded on the existing research on corporate social responsibility (CSR) in food supply chains by investigating the moderating effect of marketing capability on the relationship between CSR practice and corporate reputation in the context of Malaysian small medium enterprises (SMEs). Data were collected from 264 SMEs operating in the Malaysian food supply chain using a questionnaire and analysed using Partial Least Square (PLS). The objectives of this study are as follows: 1) to investigate the awareness of CSR and the trends among local food SMEs, 2) to analyse the factors that motivate SMEs to implement CSR, and 3) to examine the moderating effect of marketing capability on the relationship between CSR practice and corporate reputation. This study found that supply chain partners’ pressure and government support were the antecedent factors for CSR practice. In addition, this study also highlighted that CSR practice enhances the responding firms’ corporate reputation. However, this study did not find substantial evidence to support the moderating role of marketing capability. The implication of this study implies that food operators should respond to the rising importance of CSR practice due to their powerful influence on a company's reputation. They should enter a collaborative relationship with their supply chain partners to gain access to resources needed for CSR implementation.

Purpose: This study investigates the impact of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices on the financial performance of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Pagadian City, Philippines.Design/methodology/approach: The study employs a descriptive-correlational methodology to evaluate how CSR practices in key areas—community, environment, employees, customers, and suppliers—affect business financial outcomes. A survey involving 78 SMEs was conducted using adapted structured questionnaires. The results were then analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Pearson correlation method to determine the strength of the relationship.Research Findings: Findings indicate a strong positive and significant relationship between the implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility practices and the financial performance of SMEs. Businesses that actively engage in CSR, particularly in socially responsible initiatives, experience enhanced financial stability and increased profitability. These findings suggest that CSR can serve as a strategic tool for SMEs to not only fulfill ethical business conduct but also to improve competitiveness and promote long-term financial success.Contribution/Originality/Novelty: Results offer practical implications for SME owners, policymakers, and academic researchers, stressing the growing importance of integrating CSR into the core business strategies for sustainable growth, mainly focusing on the SME sector. Tujuan Penelitian: Penelitian ini menyelidiki dampak praktik Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) terhadap kinerja keuangan Usaha Kecil dan Menengah (UKM) di Kota Pagadian, Filipina.Desain / metodologi / pendekatan: Penelitian ini menggunakan metodologi deskriptif-korelasional untuk mengevaluasi bagaimana praktik CSR di lima bidang utama—komunitas, lingkungan, karyawan, pelanggan, dan pemasok—mempengaruhi hasil keuangan bisnis. Data dikumpulkan melalui survei terhadap 78 UKM menggunakan kuesioner terstruktur yang telah diadaptasi. Analisis data dilakukan dengan statistik deskriptif dan metode korelasi Pearson untuk menentukan kekuatan hubungan antara variabel.Temuan Penelitian: Hasil penelitian menunjukkan adanya hubungan positif yang kuat dan signifikan antara penerapan praktik CSR dan kinerja keuangan UKM. Bisnis yang aktif dalam kegiatan CSR, khususnya inisiatif yang bertanggung jawab secara sosial, mengalami peningkatan stabilitas keuangan dan profitabilitas.Kontribusi / Orisinalitas / Kebaruan: Hasil penelitian ini memberikan wawasan bagi pemilik UKM, pembuat kebijakan, dan akademisi mengenai pentingnya integrasi CSR dalam strategi bisnis inti untuk meningkatkan daya saing dan pertumbuhan keuangan yang berkelanjutan di sektor UKM

This chapter analyzes the practices of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability in Chilean small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This work follows an explorative and descriptive methodology that uses analysis of secondary information as data collection instrument. Results suggest that SMEs in Chile seem to have a higher degree of adoption of CSR practices when compared to those of other countries in Latin America. Chilean SMEs tend to concentrate their efforts in the area of human resources; therefore, these organizations are more willing to invest in labor-related issues than in the negative impacts they may generate in the environment and society. This can be evaluated as a natural first stage, since worker-focused CSR programs generally have a faster return on investment than those focused on other areas. Also, the relations that SMEs develop with local communities to create value are still an area of opportunity that can be addressed through the SMEs and CSR technical groups of the Pacific Alliance. This alliance is an ideal platform to share best CSR practices among SMEs, which probably will increase their competitiveness.

The aim of this paper is to investigate the pressure exerted by supply chain partners, especially large-scale business customers and public authorities, on smalland medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to adopt corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices. More specifically, we analyze how SME suppliers perceive and respond to supply chain pressure and then we investigate if such pressure is effective. The analysis is carried out through four case studies within SMEs in the UK. These cases are deliberately chosen to illustrate to students and CSR practitioners the potential range of different viewpoints in relation to CSR and supply chain management. The article suggests that, in order to enhance the perception of supply chain pressure as a CSR driver by SMEs, derived benefits should be more clearly identified (including moral, rational, as well as economic). There is also the risk that, when CSR requirements are imposed by large-scale business customers and public authorities, SMEs have difficulties in implementing CSR and consequently are tempted to behave opportunistically. An opportunistic behaviour can be associated to the large-scale business customers and the public authorities as well, when their commitment in CSR is perceived as only superficial. Thus there seems to be the need for a higher level of trust in such actors in order to share the potential benefits and costs related to CSR among all supply chain partners. In some cases, supply chain pressure can be detrimental to the existing initiatives voluntarily carried out by SMEs, which can consequently decrease their intrinsic motivation to engage.

This paper analyzes how national institutions impact corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the food-processing industries of France and Morocco. In this study, CSR practices are defined around two main dimensions: corporate performance (financial vs. global) and the CSR approach (defensive vs. active). Qualitative data were collected during semi-structured interviews with SME managers in charge of CSR issues. We then performed a content analysis. Our study shows that there is a distinct difference between the CSR practices adopted by SMEs in France and Morocco. Indeed, the findings suggest that under the rule-based governance system of France, most SMEs view CSR as an economic tool and it is adopted as an opportunity-seeking perspective anchored in the search for global performance. The findings also show that under the relationship-based governance system of Morocco, SMEs mainly see CSR from a constraint-reducing perspective. However, some Moroccan SMEs have begun to see the economic opportunities of CSR, especially in accessing foreign markets.