University of Twente Student Theses
Barriers and Drivers Influencing Commitment to Social Responsibility and Social Innovation – A Multi-Case Study of German Small and Medium-sized Enterprises
Kardatzki Angulo, Alexandra (2022) Barriers and Drivers Influencing Commitment to Social Responsibility and Social Innovation – A Multi-Case Study of German Small and Medium-sized Enterprises.
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| Abstract: | This thesis investigates what drives or inhibits German Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to commit to social responsibility and how this commitment can result in innovation activities with a social purpose. This includes finding out what influence stakeholders have on social responsibility engagement. To this end, a qualitative research methodology with multiple case studies was used to examine these topics in German SMEs. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten SMEs with the data first being analyzed within the individual cases and then across cases. The findings indicate that the availability of resources for integrating social responsibility into business activities are inhibiting factors. However, the willingness to engage in social responsibility ultimately depends on the personal beliefs of SME managers. In this context, the intrinsic motivation of companies to “do the right thing” as well as employee well-being are identified as the main drivers for social responsibility commitment. Moreover, employees, customers, and the community are found to have a much greater influence on social responsibility decisions than shareholders and investors. Furthermore, the findings suggest that most German SMEs are initially guided only by values, but later also tend to become more value-driven and strive to integrate social responsibility into innovative activities. |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences |
| Subject: | 70 social sciences in general, 85 business administration, organizational science |
| Programme: | Business Administration MSc (60644) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/93447 |
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