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CSR Policies: Effects on Labour Productivity in Spanish Micro and Small Manufacturing Companies

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  • Pablo Sánchez
  • Sonia Benito-Hernández

Abstract

This paper analyses empirical evidence of efforts to enable Spanish micro and small manufacturing companies to boost their labour productivity rates through the development of the main pillars of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies. This study aims to develop new approaches and sensibilities towards work from an ethical, values (virtues) and CSR perspective, showing how internal dimensions of CSR, such those related to relationships with employees and responsibility in processes and product quality, can improve labour performance and labour efficiency, thereby contributing to a better society. The results of a sample of 929 small businesses indicate that the social responsibility policies that most contributed to a short-term increase in labour productivity are those related to internal aspects of the company, in particular its involvement in the quality of processes and products, promotion of innovation and employee care. However, the impact on labour productivity of CSR policies related to external factors, such as relationship with stakeholders and environmental concern, could not be empirically proven in this paper. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Pablo Sánchez & Sonia Benito-Hernández, 2015. "CSR Policies: Effects on Labour Productivity in Spanish Micro and Small Manufacturing Companies," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 128(4), pages 705-724, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:128:y:2015:i:4:p:705-724
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-013-1982-x
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    Cited by:

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    2. Sonia Benito-Hernandez & Cristina Lopez-Cozar Navarro & Gracia Rubio Martin, 2020. "CSR Policies on Community Relationships as Value Drivers of Spanish Firms," EconWorld Working Papers 20002, WERI-World Economic Research Institute, revised May 2020.
    3. Leonidou, Leonidas C. & Eteokleous, Pantelitsa P. & Christodoulides, Paul & Strømfeldt Eduardsen, Jonas, 2023. "A dynamic capabilities perspective to socially responsible family business: Implications on social-based advantage and market performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 155(PA).
    4. Brid Murphy & Li Sun, 2023. "Asset redeployability and employee performance," International Journal of Disclosure and Governance, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 20(2), pages 185-199, June.
    5. Leon Guillén & Afcha Sergio & Chu Manuel, 2022. "Research on social responsibility of small and medium enterprises: a bibliometric analysis," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 72(3), pages 857-909, September.
    6. Francesca Bartolacci & Andrea Caputo & Michela Soverchia, 2020. "Sustainability and financial performance of small and medium sized enterprises: A bibliometric and systematic literature review," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(3), pages 1297-1309, March.
    7. Francesco Gangi & Dario Salerno & Antonio Meles & Lucia Michela Daniele, 2019. "Do Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Governance Influence Intellectual Capital Efficiency?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-25, March.

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