Abstract
Changes in French environmental legislation since 2010 require major companies to establish a corporate social responsibility policy. Although very small, small, and medium-sized companies are not as yet required to comply with these obligations, some of them consider that it is necessary to develop provisions addressing this concept, and even to fully embrace them. In view of the particular character of VSEs and SMEs, which are informal in nature, characterized by intuitive strategies, and have limited access to information, this reconnaissance study examines the role of agricultural cooperatives in disseminating information about CSR policies and implementing them in the industry. A preliminary series of qualitative interviews shows that these organizations are taking responsibility for assimilating the regulations in order to prepare their members, and that the existence of certifications is useful in this regard. The reconnaissance nature of the study has enabled us to formulate two research propositions, to be tested by future investigations.
Highlights
In view of the particular character of very small companies (VSEs) and sized companies (SMEs), which are informal in nature, characterized by intuitive strategies, and have limited access to information, this reconnaissance study examines the role of agricultural cooperatives in disseminating information about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policies and implementing them in the industry
Small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) and very small companies (VSEs) in the French agricultural sector are for the most part scarcely or not at all involved in formal Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) procedures
We have attempted to understand the role played by agricultural-sector cooperatives in the implementation of a CSR approach
Summary
Small and medium-sized companies (SMEs) and very small companies (VSEs) in the French agricultural sector are for the most part scarcely or not at all involved in formal Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) procedures. The text of the French law named “Loi Grenelle 2” of July 12, 2010 devotes a chapter to the preservation of biodiversity, and mentions the necessary development of farming towards a sustainable agriculture, both by the application of crop-protection products and by the development of bio-industries. The decisions reached by the Grenelle forum and the new obligations for companies having more than 500 employees make the CSR provisions both more pressing and more concrete. The SMEs in this sector want to look ahead and prepare for these new constraints, rather than suddenly be faced with them without having taken the time to get ready. Some firms seek information from their professional federation, their cooperative, or local reference institutions such as chambers of agriculture, chambers of commerce and industry, and other local economic organizations such as competitiveness centers, technology parks, SPLs, and the like
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