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Are Family Small‐ and Medium‐Sized Enterprises More Socially Responsible Than Nonfamily Small‐ and Medium‐Sized Enterprises?

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  • Issam Laguir
  • Lamia Laguir
  • Jamal Elbaz

Abstract

This paper explores whether Moroccan family small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) are more or less likely to be socially responsible than nonfamily firms of comparable size. Basing on 20 qualitative case studies, we collected qualitative data during semi‐structured interviews with SME managers in charge of corporate social responsibility (CSR) issues. We then performed a content analysis. Our study provides consistent support for the stewardship perspective and shows that family SMEs are more likely to be socially responsible than nonfamily SMEs. We therefore posit that familySMEs hold distinctive perspectives on socially responsible business behavior as a result of their involvement in both their business and their community. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment

Suggested Citation

  • Issam Laguir & Lamia Laguir & Jamal Elbaz, 2016. "Are Family Small‐ and Medium‐Sized Enterprises More Socially Responsible Than Nonfamily Small‐ and Medium‐Sized Enterprises?," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 23(6), pages 386-398, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:corsem:v:23:y:2016:i:6:p:386-398
    DOI: 10.1002/csr.1384
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    2. Benjiang Ma & Yanlin Wang & Zhifang Zhou & Yu Lai & Zhongmin Zhou & Muhammad Farhan Bashir, 2022. "Can controlling family involvement promote firms to fulfill environmental responsibilities?—Evidence from China," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 43(2), pages 569-592, March.
    3. Rosa Maria Dangelico & Alberto Nastasi & Simone Pisa, 2019. "A comparison of family and nonfamily small firms in their approach to green innovation: A study of Italian companies in the agri‐food industry," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(7), pages 1434-1448, November.
    4. Boris Rumanko & Jana Kozáková & Mária Urbánová & Monika Hudáková, 2021. "Family Business as a Bearer of Social Sustainability in Multinationals-Case of Slovakia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-25, July.
    5. Lorenzo Ardito & Antonio Messeni Petruzzelli & Federica Pascucci & Enzo Peruffo, 2019. "Inter‐firm R&D collaborations and green innovation value: The role of family firms' involvement and the moderating effects of proximity dimensions," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(1), pages 185-197, January.
    6. Ada Domańska & Ewa Więcek-Janka & Robert Zajkowski, 2022. "Implementing Sustainable Development Concept: A Typology of Family Firms in Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-21, April.
    7. Ernst, Robin-Alexander & Gerken, Maike & Hack, Andreas & Hülsbeck, Marcel, 2022. "Family firms as agents of sustainable development: A normative perspective," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    8. Silvia Ayuso & Francisco Ernesto Navarrete‐Báez, 2018. "How Does Entrepreneurial and International Orientation Influence SMEs' Commitment to Sustainable Development? Empirical Evidence from Spain and Mexico," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 25(1), pages 80-94, January.
    9. Randerson, Kathleen, 2022. "Conceptualizing family business social responsibility," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).

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