Perception Level of Small Medium Enterprises Employees and Their Environmental Corporate Social Responsibility Practices

Arunmozhi M,Sumandiran C.S.P

doi:10.47631/jareas.v2i4.369

Abstract

Purpose: The current study examines the perception level of environmental-oriented CSR practices among the employees of small-medium enterprises in the Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu, India. Approach/Methodology/Design: It is a cross-sectional field study of environment CSR practices among SMEs employees of Coimbatore district, the western part of Tamil Nadu, India. A multistage random sampling technique is adopted. Sixty-one firms were approached to study the employees’ perception of CSR and environmental impact on CSR. The sample included 369 participants out of the total population of 9027 employees. This study follows the research methodology based on the Eco-labeling principles, designed by the European Commission 2005 Descriptive analysis, Chi-square test, Bartlett sphericity statistical tests, and Structural Equation Modeling in AMOS version 23 were used.. Findings: The results indicate the significance of SMEs employees’ perception level according to their age, gender and experience. The results reveal that CSR practices towards environments are related to employee perception level. CSR practices play a very predominant role in changing the mindset of the employees working in small-medium enterprises. Practical Implications: This study also paves a way to diverse thoughts in the exploration of the multimodal dimensions of the internal aspects and external CSR practices. Originality/value: The analysis presents the main directions of pro-environmental initiatives undertaken by enterprises and the perception of employees to understand environmental CSR. The results also indicate the differences in the most frequent pro-environmental activities of enterprises operating in the Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu, India.

Highlights

Enterprises are progressively contributing to the ongoing deterioration of existing ecosystems by releasing massive amounts of harmful chemicals and making inappropriate use of available natural resources, posing a major threat to the biodiversity of our planet (Zelazna et al, 2020)
Around 71 percent of the small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in India are more optimistic about domestic economic growth over the 12 months compared to their Asian counterparts, a survey says
The data was collected by a questionnaire circulated among SME employees in the Coimbatore City of Tamil Nadu

Summary

Introduction

Enterprises are progressively contributing to the ongoing deterioration of existing ecosystems by releasing massive amounts of harmful chemicals and making inappropriate use of available natural resources, posing a major threat to the biodiversity of our planet (Zelazna et al, 2020). It is important to look for ways to decrease the environmental impact of company activities at all stages of the manufacturing process, from the design stage and production planning to the manufacturing stage (Garetti & Taisch, 2012). Social responsibility is an important component of management in European businesses, as well as an everyday practice for owners and managers. Such an approach necessitates a significant shift in the way businesses are operated, as well as new managerial abilities, competencies, and mindset shifts among both management and employees(Jenkins, 2006; Argandoña& Hoivik, 2009; Fenwick, 2010)

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Discussion

Conclusion