Aims and Objectives
While Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has traditionally been the premise of the corporate sector, recognition of the growing significance of the SME sector has led to an emphasis on their social and environmental impact, illustrated by an increasing number of initiatives aimed at engaging SMEs in the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda. CSR has been well researched in large companies, but SMEs have traditionally been overlooked in this area. This project aims to address this by investigating CSR solely from the perspective of small businesses. Through semi-structured interviews with UK companies key areas of research are how SMEs define CSR, what kind of CSR related activities they undertake, from where they feel the pressure to engage in CSR, challenges to become more socially responsible, whether there is enough support for SMEs, and the relationship of SMEs with various stakeholders. The long-term aim of the study is to seek ways of transferring exemplary knowledge throughout the SME sector, and using this to build a model of CSR practice suitable for SMEs.
- To look at how SMEs can respond to and integrate social responsibility into core business strategies and to address the barriers and challenges that may be faced.
- To answer key questions about the pressures motivating SMEs to become more socially responsible.
- To investigate the potential benefits to SMEs of engaging with stakeholders and investing in more socially responsible behaviour.
- To better understand the nature of SME relationships with key stakeholders- customers, suppliers, employees and the community.
- The long-term aim of the study is to seek ways of transferring exemplary knowledge throughout the SME sector, and using this to build a model of CSR practice suitable for SMEs.
