CSR in Small and Medium Companies and Stakeholder’s Relationships

Abstract

Through the stakeholder theory perspective, this paper goes in depth in understanding the important role of family intentions in building relationships with multiple kinds of stakeholders. In literature, the different approach of family and non-family businesses towards social and environmental issues has been extensively discussed without reaching a commonly accepted conclusion. A family business context is more favourable for proactive stakeholder engagement because the owner can take decisions without worrying too much about the economic outcome. Moreover, the long-term orientation of family businesses is an element that can reinforce the role of corporate social responsibility and its link with local stakeholders, without need for formal and structured processes, above all in SMEs.