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CSR has been a more popular subject in the last few decades. However, CSR is seldom connected with SMEs. Many scholars suggest that the reasons are: firstly the attention on CSR practice falls much more on MNCs since publics perceive MNCs have bigger impact on the society. Secondly, most SMEs do not have required resources to work with CSR and many SMEs regard CSR as a burden. However, there are more and more SMEs that start to work with CSR. Therefore the purpose of this thesis is to increase the understanding of why SMEs work with CSR and how do SMEs implement CSR strategies.   The theoretical framework contains strategy, CSR pyramid, decision making process, stakeholder theory, business opportunity model of CSR for SME, legitimacy, strategy implementation and business relations. The emiprical findings contain the case firms’ view on what stimulate them to work with CSR and how they implement its CSR strategies within and outside the firms.   In the analysis we have connected the theoretical framework with our empirical findings. We analyze who the decision makers are and most important stakeholders within the firm as well as what stakeholders are interested in to be able to answer our firs research quesiton. Furthermore, we describe the implemetion process of our case firms as well as to analyze what types of business relations they have wirh its supplier, which will help us to answer our second research question.   The conclusions of this thesis are that it is profitability that drives SMEs to work with CSR. Furthermore, SMEs carry out its CSR strategy differently and the differences depend on how much resources do firms have and the types of relationship with suppliers.

Through a case study conducted in India, of a Swedish fashion company, this thesis aims to investigate how Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) can mitigate risks in a global fashion supply chain. By investigating CSR activities carried out by a Swedish fashion brand with its suppliers in India, the thesis shows both benefits and obstacles regarding CSR implementation. Data has been collected mostly through semi-structured interviews in both Sweden and in India with CSR managers, Indian production office, suppliers and through factory observations. The data has been analyzed with theories regarding risks in the supply chain and CSR related theories such as the triangle of Carroll. By investigating benefits and obstacles regarding implementation with suppliers, risks connected to social issues in the supply chain are highlighted. The observations showed the problematic issue of a gap between CSR communication in Sweden and how the implementations are interpreted locally. The research shows that CSR, if implemented correctly, mitigates certain risks mainly connected to brand reputation and health and safety among workers. It is further concluded that there are major issues in implementing CSR further down the supply chain than the first tier of suppliers. Lack of transparency through the supply chain challenges the company’s sustainability work and exposes vulnerabilities in the supply chain. Therefore, the Swedish fashion company is still at risk from its supply chain. / Program: Textilekonomutbildningen

Abstract   Purpose: This paper aims to investigate how formal and informal cultural systems within an organization, affect the CSR related actions employees are taking at their workplace on a daily basis. The purpose is to explore how the systemsaffect employees’ participation in a company's CSR.   Problem:  There is a need for improvements in CSR activities. This improvement could be carried out by creating deeper employee engagement in CRS development and implementation. Gapsbetween externally communicated CSR and internally implemented CSR exists. Researchers have emphasized the importance of culture as a significant factor for successful CSR as well that many organizations are struggling with the integration of sustainability into the cultures and climates.    Method:The study is conducted through qualitative research and a case study method. The case study consisted of semi-structured interviews, the sample consisted of seven employees. The research in this thesis was conducted through an inductive approach.    Findings: Findings show that the formal cultural systems affected actions related to only one of the CSR aims of the company. The informal cultural systems did not affect employees to take specific actions but rather their mindset. Moreover, findings suggest that employees took CSR related actions without being fully aware of the company’s CSR. The findings also indicated a low awareness of formal documents andidentified factors beyond formal and informal systems that drove and hindered employees to take CSR related actions.

Purpose: This study aims to explore the CSR strategies in startup companies. To achieve this, this research paper, therefore, strives to first understand what drives startups to adopt socially responsible activities, gauging the level of commitment to CSR and understanding how startup companies implement soMethodology: This research was conducted using a qualitative research approach using a multiple case approach. The multiple case study focused on Swedish startups. Primary data was used through semi-structured interviews and it was complemented by secondary data extracted from the company's websites.Findings: Startup companies are mainly driven to engage in CSR through a strategic motive but influenced by the moralistic motive that has mainly contributed to the startup companies to be proactive and accommodative in their CSR. And these startups approach CSR leads to their implementation of CSR integrated into their business model.Conclusion: This study stresses the importance of integrating CSR to the strategy of the companies especially in Startup companies where most think CSR is costly and not possible for these starting up ventures. Strategic CSR could be of benefit for competitive advantage and most importantly, the growth and survival of startup companies. Strategic CSR is a possibility for startup companies!

This paper analyzes how Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, SMEs in the hotel industry implement strategic Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR through the lenses of leadership, decision-making, and communication. Additionally, this research explores how the implementation differs between small and large hotel companies. To answer these questions, researchers used a qualitative approach by conducting 15 semi-structured interviews with eight SMEs and seven large hotel companies. The Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, IPA method was applied to analyze the gathered data. Research results demonstrate that hotel leaders in SMEs create a sustainability vision and lead the transition within their hotels. Leaders are mainly in charge of strategic decisions which are cascaded to all departments for operationalization. Moreover, dynamics between formal procedures shaping operational processes and informal organizational culture were identified. While formal elements shape goals and performance-tracking within organizations, informal elements ensure employees are aligned and committed to the sustainability vision. Formal documents and work procedures serve as guidelines for employees, but the informal aspect of leadership related to inspiring, engaging, and motivating employees is of even greater importance. Leaders motivate and engage employees by granting a high degree of autonomy in their work, allowing for mistakes to happen, valuing their efforts and contributions, and overall, fostering an open, trusting, and supportive organizational culture in their hotels. In conclusion, to successfully implement strategic CSR, a sustainable way of thinking must be developed that will ensure that all decisions and daily activities are in line with the sustainability vision.

Studien presenterar en bred tolkning av CSR begreppet underbyggt av litteratur från några av de främsta forskarna inom ämnet. De mest kända strategierna sammanställs och den mest förekommande problematiken kring mätning av CSR behandlas. Även styrinstrument kopplade till CSR presenteras både generellt och företagsspecifikt. Därefter introduceras en unik utvärderingsmodell som bygger på den grundläggande utvärderingsmetoden av CSR: the Triple Bottom Line. Den nya modellen används sedan för att utvärdera företaget Vanbruun och fem utvalda leverantörer till företaget. Vanbruun är verksamt inom smyckesindustrin och vill utveckla sitt arbete med CSR. Därmed utvärderas företagens nuläge och förslag på vidare arbete presenteras. Resultatet blev en lista med möjliga förbättringsområden för Vanbruun och deras leverantörer. Även en projektplan presenteras som kan användas som underlag till företagens kommande arbete. Slutligen diskuteras de effekter som kan antas vara troliga om företagen väljer att implementera de förslag på arbete som presenterats. Det bidrag rapporten förmedlar är främst kopplat till Vanbruun och deras leverantörers verksamhet men den unika utvärderingsmodellen kan även användas branschöverskridande. / The study presents a broad interpretation of the CSR concept, supported by some of the most renowned researchers within the field. The most well-known and accepted strategies are compiled, and the most common problems of measuring CSR are presented. The control instruments which can be linked to CSR are presented, both generally and company specific. With that as a base, and combined with the Triple Bottom Line framework, a unique evaluation model is introduced. The new model is then used to evaluate the current situation regarding CSR in the company Vanbruun and five of their suppliers. Vanbruun, which is a fine jewelry business, wants to expand their work with CSR. Through evaluation of the company and the chosen suppliers, multiple suggestions to further develop their CSR work are presented. The suggestions also include a project plan with practical steps towards a more comprehensive CSR work. The project plan and the evaluation method can also be used as support in the decision-making process. Lastly, the likely effects of the project proposal, as well as the estimated outcome from the suggested implementations are presented. This studies contribution is mainly linked to Vanbruun and their suppliers, but the unique evaluation model can be used cross-industry.

Despite the growing consensus on the importance of an extended responsibility for business, both the conceptual and practical understanding of “corporate responsibility” has remained limited. Corporate responsibility is still often understood as an add-on to business-as-usual or as a strategy to enhance business performance. In fact, in recent years, the concept of corporate responsibility has become associated with corporate deceit instead of corporate contributions to society, and tends to engender cynicism rather than a sense of hope. In this study I sought to explore a more hopeful and more “radical” conceptualisation of corporate responsibility. By looking at an international sample of “exemplary” values-driven businesses, this study provides insight into corporate responsibility not primarily as a means towards commercial ends but as an expression of a desire to “do good” and create social and/or environmental value. This study paints a picture of the rich, responsible reality of values-driven businesses. It describes their generous, human-centred approach to employees and the internal environment. It explores their deep sense of interdependence with the wider community in which they find themselves, and their extensive engagement with a wide variety of external parties, many of which are not “naturally” connected to business. It creates an understanding of the iterative, emerging and evolutionary nature of the CSR implementation process and the inherent impermanence of CSR “solutions”. While this study gives a comprehensive insight into various, generous and progressive practices, it shows that the essence of a “responsible existence” is not the implementation of certain practices alone, but relates to the willingness and ability to continuously question the established ways and practices of business in light of the higher business aspirations, which, for many, leads to a fundamentally different way of organising, managing and governing the business. At the same time, this study does not provide a glorified account of some kind of “utopian” responsible existence. Instead, it shows the “messy” reality of trying to implement social and environmental values, while faced with multiple demands and when embedded within a social and business context that does not necessarily hold the same values. The thesis describes the various conflicts and compromises related to the implementation of multiple, conflicting commitments and demands, and the different ways in which the sample businesses approach such situations. While the sample businesses are quite capable of gracefully navigating these conflicts in creative and pragmatic ways, the research also indicates that significant compromises are seemingly inevitable, and can, almost imperceptibly, move a company away from its envisaged values and commitments. Finally, this study argues that the currently dominant approach to corporate responsibility in organisational studies, which reflects a rationalised and economic perspective on CSR and business, will be insufficient to describe the rich reality found within these businesses, as it will edit out some of its most essential elements. I conclude this dissertation by proposing an alternative, human existential lens through which corporate responsibility in values-driven businesses can be understood. Through a review of the research findings in relation to three existential themes, I show that a human existential perspective is better suited to explore both the beauty and the struggle of values-driven businesses.

The thesis deals with the Corporate Social Responsibility concept (CSR) in the theoretical part. It describes particular steps within the implementation of the concept. The practical part concentrates on applying the concept in a company; the proposal of various CSR activities has been worked out taking into consideration financial situation of the company.

The object of my diploma thesis "CSR of the company PRVNÍ CHODSKÁ s.r.o." is to analyse current CSR activities of this company and to find out how the public (employees and clients) are aware of these CSR activities. In the theoretical part, I characterised CSR, its basic fields and benefits, CSR assessment methods, CSR implementation and its communication by big companies or organizations such as European Union or IKEA by means of economic literature and specialised internet links. The practical part introduces the company PRVNÍ CHODSKÁ s.r.o. first of all briefly from the point of view of its business branch and then I analyse CSR activities and its communication organised by this company more in details. In this part, there is also a chapter about awards PRVNÍ CHODSKÁ won for its CSR activities and projects. In the end of the practical part, there is an analysis gained with a field research. Namely there are three questionnaires: questionnaire on CSR knowledge of PRVNÍ CHODSKÁ employees, questionnaire on CSR knowledge of PRVNÍ CHODSKÁ clients and last but not least questionnaire on satisfaction of PRVNÍ CHODSKÁ employees.