Social Business Research Articles

Responsibility Rewarded: A Literary Examination of Corporate Social Responsibility and Business Performance

Responsibility Rewarded: A Literary Examination of Corporate Social Responsibility and Business Performance

Social conflicts over the use of water resources in Chile: the role of social movements and business power

ABSTRACT This paper explores conflicts in contemporary Chile between local communities and economic elites over water resources usage, developing a frameworkthat seeks to bridge the gap between the literature on social movements and the scholarly work on business politics. It examines two similar cases. The first case deals with the conflict between large avocado producers and the rural community of Petorca, Central Chile, which has meant water deprivation for the aggrieved community. In the second case, the local community of Aysén, in Chilean Patagonia, successfully challenged business interests by halting a mega-hydroelectric project. We found that local communities can prevail when at least three conditions are met. First, the formation of a broad contingent coalition. Second, the elaboration of collective action frames to mobilise new constituencies. Third, the capacity to forge alliances with elite actors, which enhances the movement’s potential to engage in collective action.

SOSIALISASI PEMANFAATAN LIMBAH DAUN KAYU PUTIH (Melaleuca cajuputi) SEBAGAI PUPUK ORGANIK PADA KELOMPOK USAHA PERHUTANAN SOSIAL (KUPS) DUSUN WELNEWEN DESA WASPAIT KECAMATAN FENALEISELA KABUPATEN BURU

Socialization about compost making is important considering that cajuput leaf waste left over from distillation has slightly different characteristics compared to compost material that comes from leaves or other types of plant parts. This outreach aims to increase public knowledge about using leaf waste left over from distilling eucalyptus oil as raw material for making compost. The benefit is that the community can utilize wood waste left over from refining eucalyptus oil and reduce existing waste. The method used in this Community Service activity is in the form of socialization, before the activity begins, a pre-test is carried out to assess the initial knowledge of the socialization participants, then the socialization process consists of delivering material to the participants and continues with a discussion round. The activity closed by conducting a post-test on participants to assess the participants' final knowledge of the socialization material presented. The result of the socialization was an increase in the knowledge of the socialization participants regarding the use of waste leaves left over from refining cajuput oil. Participants can follow up this knowledge in the practice of using eucalyptus oil distillation leftover leaf waste in the eucalyptus oil refining business in the Social Forestry Business Group.

Reinforcement Learning in Latent Heterogeneous Environments

Reinforcement Learning holds great promise for data-driven decision-making in various social contexts, including healthcare, education, and business. However, classical methods that focus on the mean of the total return may yield misleading results when dealing with heterogeneous populations typically found in large-scale datasets. To address this issue, we introduce the K-Value Heterogeneous Markov Decision Process, a framework designed to handle sequential decision problems with latent population heterogeneity. Within this framework, we propose auto-clustered policy evaluation for estimating the value of a given policy and auto-clustered policy iteration for estimating the optimal policy within a parametric policy class. Our auto-clustered algorithms can automatically identify homogeneous subpopulations while simultaneously estimating the action value function and the optimal policy for each subgroup. We establish convergence rates and construct confidence intervals for the estimators. Simulation results support our theoretical findings, and an empirical study conducted on a real medical dataset confirms the presence of value heterogeneity and validates the advantages of our novel approach. Supplementary materials for this article are available online, including a standardized description of the materials available for reproducing the work.

Unveiling the dynamic nexus between corporate social responsibility, innovations and financial performances in 21st-century Indian start-ups

Purpose With the rapid rise in the number of start-ups, corporate social responsibility (CSR) can principally contribute to the nation’s socioeconomic development, making it more critical. This study aims to explore the effect of sustainability practices on a firm’s performance with competitive advantage (CA) and innovation (INN) as the mediating variable. Design/methodology/approach An exhaustive literature review was done to identify the constructs relationship for this study, and a questionnaire was used to gather the data from the start-up owners. In total, 400 samples were received, and partial least squares structural equation modeling was used for testing and validating the proposed hypotheses. Findings CSR and financial performance (FP) have a significant relationship. According to this study’s findings, innovation and CA substantially mediate the relationship between a firm’s FP and CSR. This study will highlight how CSR practices stimulate organizational creativity, problem-solving and strategic thinking. It will also demonstrate how CSR can foster a culture of innovation that generates long-term value and positively impacts FP. Practical implications It will aid in improving the knowledge of start-up owners that CSR is more than just pure altruism or philanthropy; instead, it must be promoted strategically as an investment that boosts productivity and creativity while also bringing overall financial benefits to the company. It will ultimately enhance the start-ups’ ability to improve the economy and society. Furthermore, this study holds the potential to inform policy discussions and recommendations for fostering responsible business practices in the Indian start-up ecosystem. Policymakers can benefit from insights into how regulations and incentives can be designed to encourage start-ups to adopt CSR practices that not only fulfill legal obligations but also contribute to their CA and FP. Originality/value This study provides empirical validity to establish linkages between sustainability measures on the FP concerning start-ups that were not considered in the prior studies. Identifying the current conceptual framework and CA and Innovation as the two major factors influencing CSR in Indian enterprises is a novel contribution. This study aims to fill the research gap. By unravelling the intricate dynamics between CSR, FP and CA, the research contributes to the understanding of how start-ups can navigate the complex interplay of social responsibility and business success in the Indian context.

“Creating shared value”: Time for a normative extension?

AbstractPorter and Kramer's “creating shared value” (CSV) proposal has achieved significant penetration into both the academic and corporate communities. Building on other critiques of CSV, this paper assesses whether the CSV framework, notwithstanding its popularity, currently possesses an appropriate and adequate theoretical foundation to represent an overarching normative framework for the entire business and society field. The analysis does so by comparing CSV with a series of other dominant business and society approaches including corporate social responsibility, business ethics, stakeholder management, sustainability, and corporate citizenship. The analysis finds that while CSV does address the fundamental business and society normative requirement that business activities should contribute to sustainable net societal value, it currently fails to adequately incorporate the equally important notions of (i) appropriately balancing stakeholder interests with those of the corporation's shareholders, as well as (ii) demonstrating sufficient accountability (i.e., taking responsibility) by properly reporting on and addressing any negative impacts resulting from the firm's activities. The paper concludes with a revised and expanded restatement of the CSV concept, which attempts to take into account and address its current theoretical limitations in order to enhance its appeal as an overarching business and society normative paradigm.

Sustainable Social Business: Contribution of Social Innovation and Civil Society

This work aims to identify the contribution of Social Innovation (SI) and Civil Society (CS) in the construction and development of Sustainable Social Businesses (SSB). In the first stage, a bibliometric analysis was conducted, tracking research from the last five years related to Social Innovation and the participation of Civil Society in Social Businesses. The CAPES Journals database was used, and based on the applied criteria, 53 articles from various sources were found. Subsequently, a Descriptive Bibliometric Review was carried out to gather preliminary data to identify the studies. This review considered the country of research application, the presence of SI, the participation of CS, and the type of Social Business. After identifying the cases studied in Brazil, totaling 4 articles, an Analytical Bibliometric Review of these studies was conducted to deepen the analysis and achieve the objective of this study. In this Analytical Review, the type and operation of SI, the level of CS involvement, and the identification of actors and the relevance of this link for business development were considered. The results of this study demonstrate the importance of SI for the continuation of development and profound changes in society. They also show that, like Business and Technological Innovation, SI is growing exponentially and is not limited to philanthropic activities but occupies spaces in significant economic activities. Regarding the achievement of the proposed objective, the results also show that the studied Social Businesses are intrinsically linked to SI and depend on the participation of CS, either as direct actors or as the target audience. This implies that these businesses rely on both these elements to exist and thrive. For future studies, it is relevant to measure the socio-environmental impacts generated by these Social Businesses in their surroundings and in society as a whole.

Effects of social distancing during COVID-19 on informal learning behaviours and work performance: the role of organisational remote working cultures

ABSTRACT We explored the impact of social distancing and the subsequent shift to remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic on informal learning behaviours and work performance. To accomplish this, we conducted a large-scale international study at the peak of the pandemic in 2021, utilising self-report questionnaires distributed via online social business networks, with a total of N = 1,236 participants. In our study, we developed a research model wherein social distancing served as the independent variable and remote working cultures as the moderating variable. This model was validated using confirmatory factor analysis and regression analysis techniques. Our investigation affirms that social distancing had adverse effects on informal learning within organisations. Additionally, it suggests that social distancing alone does not necessarily cultivate a remote working culture. However, our study reveals that a remote working culture can mitigate the repercussions of social distancing. Consequently, we observed positive effects on work performance through informal learning, even amidst the pandemic. A key outcome is that business leaders should promote a remote work culture and, based on this framework, establish hybrid work arrangements that effectively combine in-person and remote work.

Stakeholder Engagement and The Impact on Promoting Social Value: A Study In Businesses with a Social Mission

Objective: Analyze stakeholder engagement in promoting social value in businesses with a social mission. Theoretical Framework: The theoretical framework integrates stakeholder theory, which observes the constant relationship between organizations and their stakeholders, seeking to understand stakeholder engagement in promoting social value in social businesses. Method: It is a descriptive and qualitative study carried out in three businesses with a social mission in the area of education in Santa Catarina. The data was obtained through semi-structured interviews with managers and volunteer stakeholders, in addition to the analysis of three years of social reports. It was conducted using content analysis, with the help of NVivo software and approved by the ethics committee - 52507521.8.0000.0120. Results and Discussion: The study highlights that businesses with a social mission depend on partnerships to promote social value, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with stakeholders through alliances and consultancies. These partnerships aim to increase effectiveness in responding to social challenges, especially in projects focused on education and training young people to face local social and economic issues. Social value is measured by the impact of these projects on the community, contributing to sustainable growth and improving the quality of life of young people. Research Implications: This study expands the understanding of stakeholder engagement in businesses with a social mission, by defining and empirically applying its dimensions in the social context. The relevance of expanding theoretical and empirical knowledge to promote social value is highlighted. Originality/Value: The study contributes to the literature by approaching social value in a holistic and empirically grounded way, defining and applying specific dimensions of stakeholder involvement in businesses with a social mission. This innovative approach highlights the importance of understanding and promoting social value in a more comprehensive and concrete way, thus contributing to the advancement of knowledge in this field.

Artificial intelligence technology readiness for social sustainability and business ethics: Evidence from MSMEs in developing nations

Social, economic, and environmental development together contributes to sustainable development. Social sustainability (SS) is essential to create just and inclusive societies where people's basic needs are satisfied, human rights are protected, and social cohesion and fairness exist. To achieve holistic, sustainable development, policymakers and management must consider SS and environmental and economic considerations. Employees' social and behavioral interactions impact SS and business ethics. Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) can learn from artificial intelligence (AI) for better decision-making, operational optimization, increased employability, and employee empowerment. Therefore, this research aims to assess how artificial intelligence technology affects SS and business ethics in the MSMEs. We studied the artificial intelligence (AI) readiness among MSME companies in developing nations. We analyzed AI readiness using the theory of technology-organization-environment (TOE). Further, we also studied AI readiness and its influence on business ethics and SS, which we measured through skill development, work conditions, environment, and safety among MSMEs. We collected the data from 236 MSME employees. We used Structural Equation Modeling using SmartPLS software for data analysis. The research findings indicated that AI readiness directly impacts SS. We also found that the findings directly impact employees' social and ethical behavior. We also observed that business ethics significantly affects SS, indicating partial mediation. This study has substantial theoretical and managerial implications as policymakers and MSME leadership need to consider SS an essential component of sustainable development.

Research on the impact of management control on corporate social responsibility and business performance—The case of listed companies in Vietnam

Purpose: There have been many studies on corporate social responsibility. Still, research on the dual relationship showing the impact of management control on corporate social responsibility and business performance has not been exciting researchers. The article also identifies and measures the elements of management control that affect compliance with corporate social responsibility and business performance. At the same time, the paper also analyzes the influence of compliance with corporate social responsibility on business performance. From the research results, listed companies will see the importance of designing management control and complying with corporate social responsibility to maximize the business’s profits. Findings: The article demonstrates the practicality of institutional theory in the relationship between management control, corporate social responsibility, and business performance. Institutional theory influences the relationship between management control, CSR, and business performance by highlighting the role of external institutional pressures, legitimacy, and conformity to societal norms. Companies that strategically integrate institutional expectations into their management control systems can enhance their CSR efforts, improve their reputation, and contribute to better business performance. Methodology: We collect data on 195 manufacturing enterprises listed on the Vietnam stock market in 6 sectors. This study’s main data analysis method is the structural equation modeling method (SEM). The article used AMOS software to evaluate and measure the influence of each factor. Practical implications: The article has analyzed five aspects of management control to corporate social responsibility and business performance: Size of the Board of Directors (BOD), percentage of independent members in the BOD, and concurrence. CEO and Chairman of the Board of Directors, state ownership ratio and foreign shareholder ownership rate. The results show that a company with a CEO who is not the Chairman of the BOD will have a higher level of CSR compliance than a company with a CEO who is also the Chairman of the BOD. The larger the Board size, the higher the level of CSR, but This has not been verified for the company’s business performance. The higher the foreign ownership ratio, the better the CSR compliance; however, this has the opposite direction for the state ownership rate. The higher the percentage of independent members on the Board of Directors, the lower the level of CSR compliance. In terms of impact on business performance in the enterprise: The higher the company’s compliance with corporate social responsibility, the better it’s business performance. A company with a CEO who holds the position of BOD will have lower business performance than companies with a CEO who does not hold the position of Chairman of the Board of Directors. Companies with a high percentage of state ownership will have lower business performance. The higher the percentage of independent members on the Board of Directors, the lower the business performance. Originality: This attests that the research paper I submitted is the result of my original and independent work. I have duly acknowledged all sources from which the ideas and quotations have been obtained. The project does not contain any plagiarism and has not been sent elsewhere for publication.

Less is more? Communicating SDG orientation and enterprises' economic performance

As the interest in sustainable development increases, businesses can benefit from aligning their orientation with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It remains unclear, however, how focusing on a broader or narrower set of SDGs affects enterprises' economic performance. This study examines the impact of a communicated SDG orientation on the economic performance of social enterprises and traditional commercial businesses. Using natural language processing (NLP) techniques to analyse textual content from 661 enterprises' websites, we found a positive relationship between the communication of a narrow set of SDGs and enterprises' economic performance. The extent of this effect is similar between social and traditional commercial enterprises. Therefore, stakeholders may value an enterprise's SDG orientation strategy that focuses on a narrow set of SDGs in distinct purpose-driven institutional contexts.

A Symphony of Three Thousand Voices. Interview with Sumita Ghose, Founder of the Social Enterprise rangSutra

“People of Impact” is the name of the column where we publish inspiring stories about people who have made significant changes in the lives of communities, regions, and even countries. In this issue, we want to introduce you to Sumita Ghose, an Indian woman entrepreneur whose social business unites artisan investors and collaborates with the world’s largest corporations. Sumita has been honored with the highest award granted by the President of India for her contributions to women’s rights and empowerment.

Социально ответственная коммуникация бизнеса: генезис и эволюция

Introduction. In the modern world, socially responsible communication and the social policy of business in relation to the state and society play a key role on which the growth of the company’s intangible assets and its financial well-being depends. The purpose of the article is to analyze the prerequisites for the emergence of socially responsible business communication in Russia and abroad, consider the stages of their development and draw up a periodization. Methodology and methods. The theoretical and methodological basis of the study was a systematic approach that promotes ordering and systematization of many historical events and facts of social business initiatives into an integral unity. Research methods: analysis of literary sources, retrospective analysis, comparative analysis of Russian and Western practices of socially responsible communication and social business initiatives, synthesis, generalization. Results. Using a systematic approach, an analysis of Russian and global methodology for socially responsible behavior of companies and a historiographical review of communication activities in the context of social responsibility of business were made, and a periodization of the process of development of socially responsible communication of business in Russia and abroad was compiled. Scientific novelty lies in the systematization and periodization of the prerequisites and facts of the origin and development of socially responsible communication in Russia and abroad. Practical significance. The results of the study may be useful for improving socially responsible business communication.

Doing good while making profits: A typology of business models for social ventures

AbstractResearch SummaryBuilding on business model research and the social entrepreneurship literature, we conceptually develop a set of business model choices for social ventures. These choices specify the scope of venture beneficiaries, the extent that customers and beneficiaries overlap, and how social meaning is attached to the venture's value proposition. Concurrent configurations of these choices give rise to four types of social business models: (1) Social Stimulators, (2) Social Providers, (3) Social Producers, and (4) Social Intermediaries. We illustrate this typology using data from seven social ventures and formulate propositions about the implications these business model choices have for a venture's value creation and value capture potential. We then discuss contributions to the literature on social ventures and social entrepreneurship, and the literature on business models.Managerial SummaryIn this article, we propose a framework outlining key business model choices for social ventures. These choices include the scope of target beneficiaries of the venture, the degree of overlap between customers and beneficiaries, and how the venture communicates its social mission through its value proposition. By combining these choices in different ways, we identify four distinct types of social business models which we call Social Stimulators, Social Providers, Social Producers, and Social Intermediaries. To bring this framework to life, we have examined data from seven real‐world social ventures, offering concrete examples to illustrate each type. For each of these four types of social business models, we have also formulated propositions about how the business model choices impact a venture's value creation and value capture potential.

Developing and Validating A Religiosity Entrepreneurial Marketing Model For Social Businesses

Developing and Validating A Religiosity Entrepreneurial Marketing Model For Social Businesses

Social Media Analytics and Business Performance

This paper examines the crucial role of social media analytics in enhancing business performance. With the exponential growth of social media platforms, businesses are increasingly leveraging these platforms to connect with customers, drive engagement, and boost sales. Social media analytics enables businesses to extract valuable insights from the vast amount of data generated on these platforms, allowing for informed decision-making and targeted marketing strategies. Through a comprehensive review of existing literature and case studies, this paper highlights the various ways in which social media analytics contributes to improving business performance, including customer sentiment analysis, competitor benchmarking, trend identification, and campaign optimization. Additionally, it explores the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing social media analytics initiatives and provides recommendations for businesses seeking to maximize the impact of their social media efforts on overall performance. Overall, this paper underscores the transformative potential of social media analytics in driving business success in the digital age.

New business model and local governance in supporting social and environmental solutions: A social network analysis to evaluate the Italian local action group's “Terra è Vita” role

Current issues, such as climate change and social and economic disparities, are complex and context-dependent, influencing several economic and social actors. Micro-small and medium enterprises that populate rural areas often have lower risks than other companies but less innovation and fewer financial resources and capabilities. Here, a local convenor could help support these enterprises to drive their social, environmental, and economic behaviours to safeguard natural resources, respond to social community needs, and fulfil their economic goals. The European Union's Community-Led Local Development programme defines local action groups as actors who help develop and grow local areas in social and economic fields. We analyse this role, highlighting that by focusing on social and environmental issues, the convenor can stimulate changes in the traditional business model and the social business model characterised by the business ambidexterity involved in producing economic value that is also relevant to addressing the community's needs. We study the effectiveness of a local action group in its convenor role for local actors' behaviours on economic, social, and environmental themes. The study uses social network analysis to extract the network backbone that links 150 local area entrepreneurs according to their perceptions of the local area's main weaknesses. The results are twofold: they indicate that the local action group is perceived as an effective convenor and that its activities are instrumental in improving local area stakeholders' performance.

Sustainable social responsibility and business management tools case: Agro-export company MISTI S.A. Period 2020 -2022

Objetivo: Determinar el nivel de responsabilidad social sustentable asociado a las herramientas de gestión empresarial de Agroexportadora MISTI SA para el periodo 2020-2022. Métodos: La parte metodológica es un manuscrito básico con un diseño no experimental, y en todo el mismo es de nivel descriptivo. Se vincula con la estrategia de prueba de hipótesis mediante el uso de análisis de correlación y escalas de medición Likert aplicadas a los resultados obtenidos de los instrumentos de recolección de datos. Población: Una población finita es aquella que el investigador puede definir como un todo según la unidad de análisis. Muestra: Fueron 52 colaboradores y participantes en la encuesta corporativa. Resultados: Existe un alto grado de correlación entre las variables investigadas ya que el coeficiente de correlación de Spearman (r) alcanza 0.912, la significancia binomial es 0.000, el error estadístico permitido es menor a 0.05 y el nivel de confianza es del 95%. se muestra. . Conclusión: La responsabilidad social sostenible tiene una relación directa e importante con las herramientas de gestión, y las actualizaciones del marketing social, el sentido empresarial básico, la mejora a través del empoderamiento y el benchmarking en la investigación son herramientas de gestión. Recomendación: La empresa debe fortalecer aún más sus actividades comerciales, brindar soluciones innovadoras como lo ha hecho MISTI SA en los países exportadores de productos agrícolas y desempeñar un papel más activo y ampliado en la sociedad.

A Survey of Cutting-edge Multimodal Sentiment Analysis

The rapid growth of the internet has reached the fourth generation, i.e., web 4.0, which supports Sentiment Analysis (SA) in many applications such as social media, marketing, risk management, healthcare, businesses, websites, data mining, e-learning, psychology, and many more. Sentiment analysis is a powerful tool for governments, businesses, and researchers to analyse users’ emotions and mental states in order to generate opinions and reviews about products, services, and daily activities. In the past years, several SA techniques based on Machine Learning (ML), Deep Learning (DL), and other soft computing approaches were proposed. However, growing data size, subjectivity, and diversity pose a significant challenge to enhancing the efficiency of existing techniques and incorporating current development trends, such as Multimodal Sentiment Analysis (MSA) and fusion techniques. With the aim of assisting the enthusiastic researcher to navigating the current trend, this article presents a comprehensive study of various literature to handle different aspects of SA, including current trends and techniques across multiple domains. In order to clarify the future prospects of MSA, this article also highlights open issues and research directions that lead to a number of unresolved challenges.