| dc.description.abstract | BACKGROUND Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a topic of current interest due to a growing focus on sustainability and a changing role of business, where business is increasingly seen as playing an important part in solving environmental and social problems (Blowfield & Murray, 2011). This has given rise to the debate on what’s in it for business, the business case for CSR (Carroll & Shabana, 2010). Up till this date, researchers have not been able to show consistent, positive findings of the influence of CSR on financial measures (McWilliams & Siegel, 2001; Orlitzky, Schmidt, & Rynes, 2003). In addition, the business case can be highly dependent on industry and company size; large, branded manufacturers typically have more to gain on CSR than smaller service companies. Through looking at innovation benefits of CSR, it is presumed to find a business case for CSR less dependent on industry and company size (Preuss, 2011). Several studies promote CSR as an important driver for innovation (Nidumolu, Prahalad, & Rangaswami, 2009; Porter & Kramer, 2011). But most of these studies focus on larger companies, despite the fact that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play an essential role in sustainable development and Europe’s economic value creation (Morsing & Perrini, 2009). The few, existing studies on CSR as a driver for innovation in SMEs focus on describing practices, and there is a need for more research on how CSR can drive innovation and growth (Bos-Brouwers, 2010; MacGregor & Fontrodona, 2010; Mendibil, Hernandez, Espinach, Garriga, & Macgregor, 2007). GOAL AND SCOPE The goal of the thesis is to gain insight into how CSR can drive innovation and contribute to growth in SMEs. It aims to develop the theory on CSR-driven innovation by placing it in the context of SMEs, and by this making a contribution to the debate on the business case for CSR in SMEs. The focus is on the relationship between CSR, innovation and growth on a company level. Influences of industry, different SME sizes and growth are not within the scope of this study. RESEARCH QUESTIONS The main research question of the thesis is “How can CSR drive innovation and growth in SMEs?” To answer this question, the following sub questions are investigated. 1. How can CSR drive innovation in SMEs? 2. How is CSR-driven innovation related to growth in SMEs? METHOD This study uses both quantitative and qualitative method. It utilizes the results from a quantitative survey among 343 Norwegian high-growth SMEs, and conducts a multiple case study of six sampled survey respondents. High-growth SMEs are companies that fulfill certain criteria related to positive results and growth. The case companies were selected as “polar types” with different CSR and innovation focus, and from different industries. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS The results indicated a correlation between CSR and innovation, but not causality. It appeared to be the values and commitment of leader/owner and employees that were the main drivers for both CSR and innovation. Neither CSR nor innovation was found to have any effect on growth. The thesis proposes a model for how CSR can drive innovation and growth in SMEs, which shows the importance of integrating normative and business case drivers. A proactive CSR strategy with CSR activities integrated into the company and its value creation, showed to have the largest influence on innovation and growth. Also, innovation influenced CSR through collaborations. For the resulting CSR innovations to contribute positively to SME growth, they should be successful innovations aligned with the SMEs’ core business. The results of this study are useful both for researchers and practitioners. It further develops the theory on CSR innovation by placing it in the context of SMEs. In addition, it provides a starting point of the integration of the normative and the business case for CSR in SMEs. Further research should focus on testing the model in different industries, SME sizes and countries. The results of this study can be an encouragement for SME leaders/owners and employees to engage and take a more proactive approach to CSR. Keywords: CSR, Sustainability, Innovation, Growth, SME, Quantitative Research, Qualitative Research, Case Studies | nb_NO |
