Social responsibility as a business value generator: towards the construction of a social balance model for SMEs

Abstract

The business world cannot ignore the changes brought about which have transformed the current definition of devel-opment as a task that promotes solidarity, respect for nature and commitment to human beings. Companies that do not present to society positive social results will have an always greater competitive disadvantage, since they losetheir raison d’etre as facilitators for achieving the general welfare. from this perspective, it is necessary to initiate and / or strengthen policies, objectives and business strategies that enable SMEs to address adequately the interests of its stakeholders within a sustainable context. Consequently, this study aims to de-sign a model of social balance for SMEs, to identify the fac-tors and actions that promote good business practices and develop a strategic plan for corporate social responsibility. The methodological design was divided into three stages: conceptual foundations of social reporting and CSR, analy-sis of existing models and identification of theanalysis unit or population of 1020 companies in the northern sector of Bogota and a unit of work for 26, which were identified as the most representative ones, according to the formulatedcriteria. As instruments of data collection, pilot survey, the structured survey and interviews were used. A diagnostic, evaluative and monitoring model of social balance for SMEs was designed, which permits to qualify good corporate prac-tice through performance, labor, social and environmental indicators, with the purpose of formulating a Strategic Plan of Social Responsibility for the company.