Corporate Social Responsibility In SMEs Research Articles

Long-term orientation and corporate social responsibility in small and medium-sized enterprises: the role of strategy formation mode

PurposeThis study aims to explore the effects of long-term orientation (LTO) and strategy formation mode on corporate social responsibility. While many researchers have investigated how large businesses address corporate social responsibility (CSR), there is little empirical evidence on how small- and medium-sized businesses implement CSR or what individual drivers shape this process.Design/methodology/approachThe paper surveyed 282 small and medium-sized managers from the United Kingdom. The respondents were recruited using platform Prolific Academic.FindingsThe findings reveal that LTO is a prerequisite for developing CSR and shapes strategy formation mode. The findings also suggested that deliberate strategies are positively related to CSR. The results are consistent across different components of LTO (futurity, continuity and perseverance) and CSR types (internal and external).Originality/valueThe results show that all aspects of LTO are relevant for CSR in SMEs. Besides LTO, deliberate strategy formation model is an important factor contributing to CSR. The paper presents as first an empirical contribution to the strategy literature by examining positive relationship between LTO and deliberate strategy formation mode.

Analyzing the employee/employer relationships in the corporate social responsibility context: An empirical investigation of SMEs

AbstractWith the adoption of corporate social responsibility (CSR), firms are invited to identify, consult and take into account the expectations of their stakeholders. In this context, firms are expected to promote direct relationships with their employees while employee participation traditionally took the form of indirect institutional participation via trade unions or employee representatives. By mobilizing stakeholder theory, this study aims to analyze the impact of adopting a CSR approach on the existence of direct relationships between employees and employers. Three relationships are analyzed: information, consultation, and dialog. Using survey data, the empirical analysis shows that SMEs which have adopted a CSR approach in the social field are more likely to inform and consult their employees; but the adoption of CSR is not linked to dialog with them. This research is closely linked to the sustainable development goals 8.8 and 16.7 and gives new argument to promote CSR in SMEs. In particular, our findings underline the importance of CSR as a driver of employer–employee relationships because the CSR‐oriented companies seem more open to stakeholder dialogs with employees. This argument is relevant to companies that are seeking to implement, CSR, innovative human resources practices and industrial relations policies to improve working conditions and to create a win–win situation. © 2023 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) in SMEs: what we know, what we don’t know, and what we should know

Scholarly discourses on CSR in SMEs are rapidly growing in volume in recent years; yet knowledge in this field of inquiry is fragmented across scientific journals, sectors, disciplines, and cultural and geographical contexts. This study aims to synthesize and summarize the divergent literature by proposing a state-of-the-art review for a period of 50 years (1970–2019). Using a systematic review, specifically content and cross-analyses techniques, we reviewed 166 scholarly articles, categorizing them into journal outlets, publication trends, research methods, themes of study, geographical and sectoral distributions, and theoretical usage to identify significant trends in the field. Findings show that (1) CSR research in SMEs is rapidly growing with over 136 peer-reviewed articles published in the last decade, appears significantly in top tier journals, and empirically based; (2) quantitative surveys and panel study designs dominate the field over other methodological designs such as qualitative case studies and conceptual models; (3) firm performance (financial, non-financial, and both) is the topic/theme frequently investigated, followed by drivers/antecedents, perception/knowledge awareness, and CSR green practice and ethics, in that order (4) studies are preponderately Europe-centric, multi-sectoral, and atheoretical; (5) there is a limited adoption and development of novel theories and linkage between the conceptual and empirical studies. These results shed significant insights on the theoretical, methodological, and contextual landscapes of CSR research in SMEs, thereby offering a synthesis of the fragmented knowledge in this vital research stream to researchers and journal editors, and tutors whose curriculum includes CSR. The study concludes with managerial insights about CSR adoption mechanisms for SME executives and practitioners and an innovative and relevant research agenda for future researchers.

Editorial

The current issue of the Journal of Governance and Regulation pays attention to the problems of corporate bankruptcies, relationship marketing in banks, corporate social responsibility in SMEs, monetary operations and Islamic banking in the GCC, corporate brand extensions, the impact of risk factors on the financial performance of the commercial banking sector.

Innovation and Corporate Social Responsibility in SMEs

So far little attention has been given the differences or the compatibilities between CSR and innovation. Few works treats CSR in combination with innovation. What exactly is the relationship between CSR and innovation? Recent phenomena such as open innovation is based on the concept that the stakeholder's dialogue that overlaps with some dimensions of CSR. Being innovative means to bring organizational and technical improvements which will translate into a better position in the market. These improvements don't just aim the product, but the process by which it is obtained and its whole life-cycle. We're talking about a new approach to innovation, namely its orientation towards sustainability. Although SMEs have many features which facilitate implementation of CSR, activities of this type in such organizations are still limited. SMEs managers often make choices that are related to rational management. This leads to divergence between economical and social goals. Through a qualitative exploration of the concepts of CSR and innovation, we wanted to find out from some managers whether there is a link between innovation and CSR in SMEs and whether the activities corresponding to the two concepts overlap in a certain measure.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN SMES: THE CASE OF AN AUSTRIAN CONSTRUCTION COMPANY

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is usually associated with the integration of ecological and social issues into corporate activities. CSR must be closely aligned with a company´s strategies and core business and therefore capable of contributing to the renewal, augmentation and adaptation of the company´s competencies over time. A CSR management concept applicable to SMEs remains lacking. CSR in SMEs must be pragmatic and results-oriented because the owners of SMEs tend to focus on operational and practical matters. This paper is based on a single case study of an Austrian construction company. The company is well known for its social activities and the owner embodies the ideal of a responsible entrepreneur. This case shows how the company managed to integrate CSR into corporate strategy and illustrates and analyzes the process of CSR implementation. The main findings of this paper are as follows: The successful implementation and operationalization of CSR in SMEs depend on a simple but stringent process with both top-down and bottom-up commitment. Through their entrepreneurial leadership, entrepreneurs and senior managers act as positive role models for all SME employees. CSR orientation must become a component of the self-image of a company. The low degree of formality in SMEs requires an authentic and company-specific CSR approach that is supported by all executives. This paper also supports theory building and development by com-paring the findings of this case study with those of existing literature.

The responsibility of corporate social responsibility in SMEs

Purpose – This paper aims to draw attention to the responsibility of CSR in SMEs.Design/methodology/approach – Examining the emergence of the global and Indian CSR discourse and India's industrial and SME domain in particular in the context of global value chains and SME policy, this conceptual paper looks at the deficiencies in the present approaches. Drawing upon existing literature on global value chains, codes of conduct and multi‐stakeholder initiatives, it articulates the special challenge posed by the issues of labour rights and humane working conditions.Findings – This paper suggests that SMEs by themselves cannot take up this responsibility and that the codes of conduct of transnational corporations would also be of limited utility and an active governmental role is necessary.Originality/value – The paper calls for a change in political culture that looks at humane labour practices as a necessary condition for work and not as a liability in the pursuit of investments to provide a counterweight to...

Corporate social responsibility and SMEs: exploratory study on motivations from a Malaysian perspective

PurposeThis paper investigates the need for corporate social responsibility (CSR) in SMEs. Also, it aims to explore the motivations for practicing CSR from the perspective of Malaysian SMEs.Design/methodology/approachInvestigating the need for CSR in SMEs is done through a literature review. For the purpose of identifying the motivations for CSR practice, ten exploratory interviews were conducted with SME managers in Malaysia.FindingsThe findings show that Malaysian SMEs were mostly practicing CSR because of their own beliefs and values, religious thoughts, and pressure and encouragement from stakeholders.Research limitations/implicationsBecause this is an exploratory study, a small number of interviews were conducted. Future studies can expand this and go more in‐depth.Practical implicationsThe findings of the paper provide a good understanding of Malaysian SMEs' motivations for CSR, which will be helpful for policy‐makers.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors' knowledge, this is among the first studies focusing on CSR in the Malaysian SME sector. Also, the exploratory qualitative approach of the paper can provide a better vision for future research.