Innovation and Corporate Social Responsibility in SMEs

Abstract:

So far little attention has been given the differences or the compatibilities between CSR and innovation. Few works treats CSR in combination with innovation. What exactly is the relationship between CSR and innovation Recent phenomena such as open innovation is based on the concept that the stakeholder's dialogue that overlaps with some dimensions of CSR. Being innovative means to bring organizational and technical improvements which will translate into a better position in the market. These improvements don't just aim the product, but the process by which it is obtained and its whole life-cycle. We're talking about a new approach to innovation, namely its orientation towards sustainability. Although SMEs have many features which facilitate implementation of CSR, activities of this type in such organizations are still limited. SMEs managers often make choices that are related to rational management. This leads to divergence between economical and social goals. Through a qualitative exploration of the concepts of CSR and innovation, we wanted to find out from some managers whether there is a link between innovation and CSR in SMEs and whether the activities corresponding to the two concepts overlap in a certain measure.

• Periodical: Applied Mechanics and Materials (Volume 808)
• Pages: 359-363
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.808.359
• Online since: November 2015
• Authors: Cristina Feniser, Florin Lungu
• Keywords: CSR, Innovation, SMES, Stakeholders

References

[1] G. Hamel, The Why, What and How of Management Innovation, Harvard Business Review, (2006), 84(6), pp.72-84.

[2] Hoffman, K., Parejo, M., Bessant, J. and Perren, L. (1998), Small firms, R&D, technology and innovation in the UK: a literature review, Technovation 18(1): 39-55.

DOI: 10.1016/s0166-4972(97)00102-8

[3] Little, A. D. (2006), The Innovation Highground - Winning tomorrow's customers using sustainability-driven innovation, Strategic Direction 22(1).

DOI: 10.1108/02580540610635942

[4] Wagner, M., (2009), Innovation and competitive advantages from the integration of strategic aspects with social and environmental management in European firms, Business Strategy and the Environment, 291-306.

DOI: 10.1002/bse.585

[5] Pimenova, P. and R. v. d. Vorst (2004), The role of support programmes and policies in improving SMEs environmental performance in developed and transition economies, Journal of Cleaner Production 12: 549-559.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2003.07.001

[6] Poolton, J. and H. Ismail (2000), New developments in innovation, Journal of Managerial Psychology 15(8): 795-811.

DOI: 10.1108/02683940010379350

[7] Feniser, C. (2012), Teza de doctorat: Rolul managerului in intreprinderile mici si mijlocii.

[8] Marshall, C, G. Rossman (2006).