How do Argentine SMEs define CSR? Cases in educational social development
| Date | 05 July 2019 |
| Pages | 139-148 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/WJEMSD-10-2018-0090 |
| Published date | 05 July 2019 |
| Author | Jacob A. Massoud,Bonnie F. Daily,Alberto Willi |
| Subject Matter | Strategy,Business ethics,Sustainability |
How do Argentine SMEs
define CSR? Cases in educational
social development
Jacob A. Massoud
Barowsky School of Business,
Dominican University of California, San Rafael, California, USA
Bonnie F. Daily
NMSU College of Business,
New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, New Mexico, USA, and
Alberto Willi
IAE Business School, Pilar, Argentina
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to investigate the social responsibility approaches of six small and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Argentina and their definitions of corporate social responsibility (CSR).
Design/methodology/approach –This is an exploratory, qualitative study and part of a broader study.
A sample of six Argentine SMEs from manufacturing, services and construction sectors was used to evaluate
specific CSR initiatives in the areas of social development. A total of 23 interviews were conducted, and open
coding was used to analyze and develop categories and themes from the data patterns.
Findings –Results provide a set of definitional dimensions for CSR from an Argentine perspective, and
indicate that SMEs in Argentina frequently engage in education and training oriented initiatives as a primary
emphasis for their CSR efforts. Commitment, community andemployee orientations, the natural environment,
and education/training represent key elements of their conceptualizations of CSR.
Originality/value –This research extends the literature related to CSR definitions. It also highlights
elements of a growing trend around educational social development initiatives in developing countries.
Additionally, it is one of only a few studies to focus on Argentina.
Keywords Education, Corporate social responsibility (CSR), Definition, Argentina,
Small and medium enterprises (SME)
Paper type Case study
Introduction
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a broad concept that deals directly with the
relationship between a firm and its effects on society (Carroll, 2004; Carroll and Shabana, 2010;
Hack et al., 2014; Kraus and Brtitzelmaier, 2012 ). The scope of such initiatives ten ds to vary
considerably. In some instances, firms may seek to improve the labor conditions across their
supply chainsas demonstrated by the fair-tradecoffee industry. In othercases, manufacturing
firms may take on efforts to reduce their environmental impacts through waste minimization
and pollution reduction programs. Philanthropic donations to worthy causes embody yet
another mode ofpracticing CSR (Aguilera et al.,2007). In Latin America andother developing
regions, educational relatedCSR initiatives are viewedas important means to achieve positive
outcomes and address development issues ( Jamali and Carroll, 2017).
A variety of extant perspectives on CSR have generated some controversy. There is no
general agreement on a common definition of CSR, and the relevant dimensions of the
construct tend to vary in the literature (Kraus and Brtitzelmaier, 2012; Freeman and
Hasnaoui, 2011; Matten and Moon, 2008; Sheehy, 2015). Nevertheless, it is clear that CSR
deals directly with the relationship between a firm and its effects on society (Carroll, 2000;
Snider et al., 2003).
World Journal of
Entrepreneurship, Management
and Sustainable Development
Vol. 15 No. 2, 2019
pp. 139-148
© Emerald PublishingLimited
2042-5961
DOI10.1108/WJEMSD-10-2018-0090
Received 14 October 2018
Revised 17 December 2018
Accepted 25 December 2018
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/2042-5961.htm
139
Argentine
SMEs define
CSR
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