Spence / Painter-Morland Ethics in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises

A Global Commentary
1. Auflage 2010
ISBN: 978-90-481-9331-8
Verlag: Springer Netherlands
Format: PDF
Kopierschutz: 1 - PDF Watermark

E-Book, Englisch, Band 2, 350 Seiten

Reihe: The International Society of Business, Economics, and Ethics Book Series

This book is the first of its kind – a global overview of extant research on ethics in small and medium sized enterprises. While vast amounts of corporate money, government policy and media time are directed at the social and ethical activities of large corporations, small businesses don’t generally attract the spotlight. This is wildly inappropriate, however, since upward of 90% of private businesses are small or medium sized. This book goes some way to helping us understand the social and ethical contribution of this majority organizational form. The first section of the book is a global round-up of research on ethics in small and medium sized enterprises from major regions of the world. In the second section smaller scale research projects from a variety of countries present both empirical and theoretical advances in the area. Anyone with an interest in ethics and small and medium sized enterprises should find this an inspiring book which paves the way for future research.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Spence, Laura

Painter-Morland, Mollie

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1;Foreword;6
2;Acknowledgements;8
3;Contents;9
4;Contributors;11
5;About the Contributors;14
6;1 Introduction: Global Perspectives on Ethics in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises;21
6.1; How Are SMEs Different?;22
6.2; Ethics in SMEs: The State of the Art;23
6.2.1; Developing Theory and Concepts;24
6.2.2; Strengthening Empirical Research;25
6.2.3; Case Examples;27
6.2.4;References;28
7;Part I Global Overviews;30
7.1;2 Africa: Ethics and Sustainability Within SMEs in Sub-Saharan Africa: Enabling, Constraining and Contaminating Relationships;31
7.1.1; Introduction;31
7.1.2; Methodology;32
7.1.3; Patterns Emerging from the Data;34
7.1.4; Theoretical Propositions;37
7.1.4.1; Enabling Relationships;37
7.1.4.2; Constraining/Conditioning Relationships;38
7.1.4.3; Contaminating/Debilitating Relationships;40
7.1.4.4; The Interaction Between Enabling, Conditioning and Contaminating Relationships;40
7.1.5; Supporting Research Trends from the Literature Review;41
7.1.6; Conclusions and Further Research Questions;47
7.1.7; Notes;48
7.1.8;References;49
7.1.9; Appendix 1: Country Representation;50
7.1.10; Appendix 2: SME Owners/Managers Telephonic Questionnaire;51
7.1.10.1;Ethics in Small and Medium Enterprises on the African Continent;51
7.1.11; Appendix 3: Intermediary Organisations Telephonic Questionnaire Ethics in Small and Medium Enterprises on the African Continent;52
7.2;3 Europe: Practice and Politics: Ethics and Social Responsibility in SMEs in the European Union;53
7.2.1; Introduction;53
7.2.2; Defining SMEs;55
7.2.3; Role of SMEs in Society;55
7.2.4; Ethics/Social Responsibility Practices Within SMEs;56
7.2.5; Country-Specific Traits: Denmark, Italy, the UK and Central and Eastern Europe and the Baltic States;58
7.2.5.1; Denmark -- North European;58
7.2.5.2; Italy -- Mediterranean and Southern Europe;60
7.2.5.3; UK -- Anglo-Saxon;61
7.2.6; Central and Eastern Europe and the Baltic States;62
7.2.7; Influencing SMEs;63
7.2.8; SMEs and Sustainability;66
7.2.9; Current and New Developments;67
7.2.10; Conclusion;68
7.2.11; Notes;69
7.2.12;References;69
7.3;4 India: CSR and Ethics in MSMEs in India;73
7.3.1; Introduction;73
7.3.2; SMEs in India;74
7.3.3; Definition of SMEs;75
7.3.4; CSR and Ethics in India;76
7.3.5; Implications for Future Research on CSR;78
7.3.6; Conclusion;79
7.3.7;References;80
7.4;5 Latin America: Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility in Latin American Small and Medium Sized Enterprises: Challenging Development;82
7.4.1; Introduction;82
7.4.2; Defining Small and Medium Sized Enterprises in Latin America;83
7.4.3; The Role of Latin American SMEs in Society;85
7.4.4; CSR Activities in Latin America;87
7.4.4.1; Informality;88
7.4.4.2; Poverty Alleviation and Job Creation;90
7.4.4.3; Corruption;91
7.4.5; Interaction with External Stakeholders;92
7.4.6; Ethics Within SMEs;92
7.4.7; Ethics and Sustainability;93
7.4.8; Developments of CSR in Latin America;94
7.4.9; Final Considerations;97
7.4.10;References;98
7.5;6 New Zealand & Australia: A New Zealand and Australian Overview of Ethics and Sustainability in SMEs;101
7.5.1; Introduction;101
7.5.2; The Australian and New Zealand Context;101
7.5.3; Defining SMEs in New Zealand and Australia;103
7.5.4; Role of SMEs in Society;104
7.5.5; Ethics and Sustainability in New Zealand;105
7.5.6; Ethics and Sustainability in Australia;108
7.5.7; Perceived Barriers;109
7.5.8; Conclusion;110
7.5.9; Notes;111
7.5.10;References;112
7.6;7 USA: An Overview of Empirical Research on Ethics in Entrepreneurial Firms Within the United States;114
7.6.1; Introduction;114
7.6.2; Defining Entrepreneurs in the US;115
7.6.3; The Role of Entrepreneurs in the US;118
7.6.4; Ethics Versus Stakeholder Theory, CSR and CSP;119
7.6.5; Ethics in Entrepreneurship;120
7.6.5.1; Research Conducted in and by Scholars in the US;121
7.6.5.2; Ethical Attitudes of Entrepreneurs;121
7.6.5.3; Ethical Issues for Entrepreneurs;122
7.6.5.4; Ethical Decision Making;124
7.6.5.5; Ethical Climate and Organisational Factors;126
7.6.5.6; Type of Entrepreneurial Activity and the Entrepreneur;128
7.6.5.7; Corporate Social Responsibility and Entrepreneurship Research;129
7.6.6; Conclusion;130
7.6.7;References;131
8;Part II Individual Research: Theory Development;135
8.1;8 Entrepreneurial Social Responsibility: Scoping the Territory;136
8.1.1; Introduction;136
8.1.2; Introducing ESR Ethics, CSR and Positive Social Change Through an Entrepreneurial Lens;138
8.1.2.1; Developing the Terminology: Building on Aguilera et al. (2007);138
8.1.2.2; Scoping the Territory;139
8.1.3; Entrepreneurship and Social Responsibility;140
8.1.3.1; Defining Entrepreneurship;140
8.1.3.2; Entrepreneurial Process as a Multi-level Phenomenon;141
8.1.3.3; Three Approaches to Entrepreneurial Social Responsibility;142
8.1.3.3.1; Mainstream Approaches;143
8.1.3.3.2; Counter-Cultural/Critical Approaches;144
8.1.3.3.3; Reformist Approaches;145
8.1.4; Conceptualising the ESR Territory;147
8.1.4.1; Exploring the Tensions Between Commercial Orientation and Social Responsibility;147
8.1.5; Concluding Remarks;152
8.1.5.1; Implications for Business Ethics/CSR;152
8.1.5.2; Implications for Entrepreneurship;153
8.1.5.3; Implications for Policy and Practice;153
8.1.6; Notes;154
8.1.7;References;155
8.2;9 A Comprehensive Model for SMEs: Measuring the Dynamic Interplay of Morality, Environment and Management Systems - Towards Continuous Improvement;159
8.2.1; Introduction;159
8.2.2; Design of the SME Model;160
8.2.2.1; SME Model;160
8.2.2.2; Elements of SMEs;160
8.2.2.3; SMEs Embedded in an Environment;161
8.2.2.3.1; Society;162
8.2.2.3.2; Economy;162
8.2.2.3.3; Physical Environment;162
8.2.2.4; Management of SMEs ' Steering Within 'Spaces of Freedom' or Influence Capabilities;163
8.2.2.4.1; Morality;163
8.2.2.4.2; Mission, Strategies, Traditions;164
8.2.2.4.3; Management Systems -- Tools Supporting Long-Term Success;165
8.2.2.5; Design of the SME Model;166
8.2.3; Methodology to Test Compliance with the SME Model and to Detect Possibilities for Continuous Improvement;169
8.2.3.1; Basic Matrix;169
8.2.3.2; Characteristics of the Four Quadrants;170
8.2.3.2.1; No Concepts ' Be at the Market's Mercy;170
8.2.3.2.2; Shop Floor/Process Optimisation;170
8.2.3.2.3; External Pressure -- Image;170
8.2.3.2.4; Embedded Circularity -- Integration;171
8.2.3.3; Specifications;171
8.2.4; Examination by Research;172
8.2.4.1; Outline;172
8.2.4.2; Some Brief Results;174
8.2.4.3; Common Issues of Specifications;174
8.2.4.3.1; Excursus: Weighting of Values -- Specifications of Moralities;177
8.2.4.4; Basic Matrix -- Positions of the 27 SMEs -- Analysis;178
8.2.5; Conclusions;179
8.2.6;References;179
8.3;10 CSR and SMEs in Portugal: The Strategy of Obligation;184
8.3.1; Introduction;184
8.3.2; Research Theory and Model;185
8.3.2.1; CSR Perspectives;185
8.3.2.2; Conceptual Model;187
8.3.2.2.1; Concept of SME Social Responsibility Practices;188
8.3.2.2.2; SME Business Strategy Concept;188
8.3.2.2.3; Concept of Stakeholder Relationships;188
8.3.2.2.4; Concept of Attitude Towards CSR;188
8.3.2.3; Strategic Typology;189
8.3.2.4; Research Methodology;192
8.3.3; Research Results;192
8.3.3.1; SME and CSR Practice Profiles;192
8.3.3.2; SMEs CSR Strategies;194
8.3.4; Discussion of Results and Conclusions;196
8.3.5; Notes;200
8.3.6;References;201
9;Part III Individual Research: Empirical Research;202
9.1;11 In Search of Sustainability? SMEs in Brittany, France;203
9.1.1; Corporate Social Responsibility in France:Dveloppment durable ;203
9.1.2; Cultural Specifics of CSR;204
9.1.3; Research on CSR Activities of French SMEs;205
9.1.4; Methodology;207
9.1.4.1; Background;207
9.1.4.2; Sample;207
9.1.4.3; Methods;208
9.1.5; Results;209
9.1.5.1; Manager's Definitions of Sustainable Development;209
9.1.5.2; Perception of the Impacts of CSR on Company and Its Relationships;210
9.1.5.3; Perceived Advantages and Disadvantages of Implementing CSR;212
9.1.5.4; How Do Breton Managers Implement CSR?;212
9.1.5.4.1; Strategy;212
9.1.5.4.2; Formalisation of Aims and Practices;213
9.1.5.4.3; Codes of Conduct;213
9.1.5.4.4; Measuring Social and Environmental Performance;213
9.1.5.4.5; Cooperation with External Stakeholders;214
9.1.5.4.6; Internal Organisation of CSR;214
9.1.5.4.7; Environmental Action;215
9.1.5.4.8; Social and Societal Action;215
9.1.5.5; Present and Future Needs of Companies in Terms of Support for the CSR Process;216
9.1.6;Drivers and Brakes of CSR;217
9.1.6.1; Companies with No CSR Activities in Place;217
9.1.6.2; Companies with a CSR Policy in Place;219
9.1.6.3; Comparison of Companies With and Without a CSR Policy;219
9.1.7; Governmental Policy, Societal Expectations and Needs in the Local Community -- What Is Driving the CSR Movement in France?;222
9.1.8;References;223
9.2;12 Corporate Social Responsibility and Stakeholder Relations -- The Perspective of German Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises;225
9.2.1; SMEs -- The Hidden Perspective;225
9.2.2; Stakeholders and the CSR Debate;226
9.2.3; CSR in SMEs -- Empirical Findings;227
9.2.3.1; Research Questions and Methodology;227
9.2.3.2; Results;228
9.2.3.2.1; Understanding of CSR;228
9.2.3.2.2; CSR Activities;229
9.2.3.2.3; Intrinsic Motivation;230
9.2.3.2.4; Regional Specifics;231
9.2.4; The Employee as a Key Stakeholder;231
9.2.5; Conclusion;232
9.2.6; Notes;233
9.2.7;References;234
9.3;13 The Alignment Between Social Responsibility and Business Strategy: Implications for Social Responsibility Value Creation in Spanish SMEs;236
9.3.1; Introduction;236
9.3.1.1; Social Responsibility in SMEs;237
9.3.2; SR Value Creation in Business;242
9.3.3; SR Strategic Alignment;242
9.3.4; Hypotheses;244
9.3.5; Methodology and Data;245
9.3.5.1; The Development of an SR Scale for SMEs;245
9.3.5.2; The Measurement of SR Strategic Alignment;247
9.3.5.3; The Measurement of SR Business Value;248
9.3.5.4; The Database Obtained;248
9.3.6; Main Results;249
9.3.7; Conclusions;255
9.3.8; Notes;256
9.3.9;References;256
9.4;14 Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility Practice in Small and Medium Sized Enterprises: Sampling from Thailand and Hong Kong;263
9.4.1; Introduction;263
9.4.2; Method(s);265
9.4.2.1; Research Sites and Interview Protocol;266
9.4.3; Presentation of Findings;268
9.4.3.1; Thailand;268
9.4.3.2; Hong Kong;276
9.4.4; Reflection;280
9.4.5; Notes;280
9.4.6;References;280
10;Part IV Individual Research: Case Examples;283
10.1;15 Fostering Corporate Social Responsibility in Small and Medium Size Enterprises. Recent Experiences in The Netherlands;284
10.1.1; Recent Developments;284
10.1.2; CSR/SMEs in the Netherlands: Facts and Figures, Means and Methods;285
10.1.2.1; Findings in Practice and Literature;287
10.1.2.2; Comments and Reflections;289
10.1.3;References;295
10.2;16 Small Business Social Responsibility in the Supply Chain: A Literature Review;297
10.2.1; Introduction;297
10.2.2; Corporate Social Responsibility in Supply Chains;298
10.2.3; Results;299
10.2.3.1; Role and Practices;300
10.2.3.2; Drivers;309
10.2.3.3; Risks;310
10.2.3.4; Barriers;310
10.2.3.5; Means to Overcome Barriers;311
10.2.4; Conclusions;311
10.2.5; Research Agenda and Managerial Implications;313
10.2.6; Notes;314
10.2.7;References;314
10.3;17 Ethics in Agricultural and Stockbreeding SMEs: An Argentinean Case Study;318
10.3.1; Introduction;318
10.3.1.1; Family Enterprises Characteristics;319
10.3.1.2; Geographic Enclave;320
10.3.2; The Small Towns of the Santa Fe Province;324
10.3.2.1; Predominant Activities: Agriculture and Stockbreeding7 ;325
10.3.2.2; Piedmontese Immigrants;326
10.3.3; 1st Phase: Start-up and Consolidation of an Agricultural and Stockbreeding SME;328
10.3.3.1; SMEs: Corporate Social Responsibility;329
10.3.4; 2nd Phase: Female Enterprise;331
10.3.5; 3rd Phase: The Youngest Ones;335
10.3.6; Notes;335
10.3.7;References;337
10.4;Conclusion: The Road Ahead for Research on Ethics and SMEs;338
10.4.1; The Hidden Territory of Ethics and SMEs;338
10.4.2; Finding a Language for the Social and Ethical Role of SMEs;338
10.4.3; SMEs: Good or Bad?;339
10.4.4; Influencing SMEs;340
10.4.5; The Need to Promote a Developing Country Perspective;341
10.4.6; Learning from SMEs;341
10.4.7; Ethics and SME Researchers: Getting Out of the Corporate Shadow;342
10.4.8;References;343
11;Author Index;344
12;Countries Index;345
13;Subject Index;346