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Corporate social responsibility and sustainability issues of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises

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  • Jaroslav Belas
  • Gentjan Çera
  • Jan Dvorský
  • Martin Čepel

Abstract

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) presents a valuable tool of a better management of enterprises for the benefit of the whole society. Small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) have been facing this challenge for a shorter time than large enterprises. The aim of the article is to evaluate the impact of the CSR indicators on the sustainability of SMEs in Central European (CE) countries. Factors of the sustainability of SMEs are innovative ways to win new markets and retain existing customers, the innovation of our products and services, and lower probability of SMEs' bankruptcy. Linear regression analysis was applied to verify causal relationships. The sample size was constructed of 1,585 SMEs on basis of the questionnaire's answers. The results show that the knowledge of the CSR concept and its assertion in business is the most important CSR indicator with a positive impact on each factor of SMEs' sustainability.

Suggested Citation

  • Jaroslav Belas & Gentjan Çera & Jan Dvorský & Martin Čepel, 2021. "Corporate social responsibility and sustainability issues of small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(2), pages 721-730, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:corsem:v:28:y:2021:i:2:p:721-730
    DOI: 10.1002/csr.2083
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    2. Asif Mahmood & Rana Tahir Naveed & Naveed Ahmad & Miklas Scholz & Muhammad Khalique & Mohammad Adnan, 2021. "Unleashing the Barriers to CSR Implementation in the SME Sector of a Developing Economy: A Thematic Analysis Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-20, November.
    3. Xie, Yu & Wu, Desheng & Li, Xiaoyan & Tian, Suhua, 2023. "How does environmental regulation affect productivity? The role of corporate compliance strategies," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    4. Halyna Mishchuk & Jana Štofková & Vita Krol & Olena Joshi & László Vasa, 2022. "Social Capital Factors Fostering the Sustainable Competitiveness of Enterprises," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-19, September.
    5. Michaela Kotkova Striteska & Katerina Myslivcova & Viktor Prokop & Lucie Zapletalova, 2024. "Employees' engagement, family ownership, or gender diversity? Searching for determinants of SMEs' green behaviors in CEE countries," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(4), pages 3065-3080, July.

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