Understanding international CSR in SMEs

Author(s)
Maria-Cristina Stoian, Emmanuella Plakoyiannaki
Abstract

This study investigates international corporate social responsibility (CSR) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). While international CSR is key to firm internationalization, hardly any research has been conducted on international CSR in SMEs. Drawing on an interpretive approach, we reveal four distinct understandings of international CSR which entail different CSR practices: international CSR as a driver of international performance; as necessary for international distinctiveness; as a promoter of successful international collaboration; and as a catalyst for change, empowerment, and sustainable internationalization. Our study contributes to the development of the nascent literature on international CSR in SMEs and to stakeholder theory.

Organisation(s)
Department of Marketing and International Business
External organisation(s)
Brunel University London
Journal
Journal of Small Business Management
Volume
62
Pages
1828-1864
No. of pages
37
ISSN
0047-2778
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/00472778.2023.2182441
Publication date
2023
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
502054 Entrepreneurship
Keywords
ASJC Scopus subject areas
General Business,Management and Accounting, Management of Technology and Innovation, Strategy and Management
Portal url
https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/378153dd-6bef-4777-b82d-c5d7accc8433