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Scientific Article details

Title Market-oriented CSR implementation in SMEs with sustainable innovations: an action research approach
ID_Doc 73977
Authors Sundström, A; Hyder, AS; Chowdhury, EH
Title Market-oriented CSR implementation in SMEs with sustainable innovations: an action research approach
Year 2020
Published Baltic Journal Of Management, 15, 5
DOI 10.1108/BJM-03-2020-0091
Abstract Purpose The purpose of the study is to identify and analyze critical mediating and moderating market intelligence challenges faced by the SMEs when implementing corporate social responsibility (CSR) based on an applied market-oriented business model (MOBM). Design/methodology/approach Focusing on developing CSR-integrated market intelligence, this study uses an action research method by analyzing four case studies. Data is collected through interviews, interactive and knowledge-sharing meetings and on-site observations. The study is part of a larger European Union project using the developed MOBM to follow the four companies' CSR implementation and learning process over a 14-month period. The action research includes seven meetings; between these, the researchers introduced the SMEs to different business focus areas, where CSR is a vital part of the MOBM. Findings This study shows that the SMEs are too technology-focused and have little initial idea of how to integrate CSR advantages for market intelligence into their internationalization. The MOBM model offers insights and knowledge on the strength and weakness of the internal organization to meet challenges in internationalization. Originality/value Via case study and action research, this study spotlights the challenges that SMEs face in the CSR implementation process and how they deal with those challenges to develop market intelligence competence internally. Instead of following a traditional research approach, the current study applies a CSR-based method where the SMEs go through a knowledge development process that originated from a theoretically designed MOBM.
Author Keywords CSR; Market orientation; Business model; SMEs; Case study; Mediator; Moderator; Knowledge development
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Social Science Citation Index (SSCI)
EID WOS:000564379400001
WoS Category Management
Research Area Business & Economics
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