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Technological Competition, Innovation Motive and Corporate Social Responsibility: Evidence from Top Managers of European SMEs

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  • Johan Graafland

    (Tilburg University)

  • Niels Noorderhaven

    (Tilburg University)

Abstract

Various motives have been proposed for firms to engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR), but no attention has been paid to innovation as a motive to engage in CSR. In this paper we explore the role of this motive and hypothesize that it is particularly important for companies facing intensive technological competition. We find support for this in a sample of 2579 top managers of small and medium sized enterprises from 12 European countries. The innovation motive mediates the relationship between technological competition and CSR and is the most (second most) important motive for environmental and social CSR, respectively.

Suggested Citation

  • Johan Graafland & Niels Noorderhaven, 2020. "Technological Competition, Innovation Motive and Corporate Social Responsibility: Evidence from Top Managers of European SMEs," De Economist, Springer, vol. 168(1), pages 1-22, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:decono:v:168:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1007_s10645-019-09351-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s10645-019-09351-z
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Corporate social responsibility; Innovation motivation; SMEs; Technological competition;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • L1 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance
    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility

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