To the Roots of Entrepreneurial Values: The Relationship with the Territory as a Driver for the Development of Corporate Social Responsibility—An Analysis of the Experiences of Italian SMEs

The aim of this study is to propose a reflection on the contribution of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in spreading the philosophy and practices of governance directed towards Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as well as sustainability. The study focuses on the importance of entrepreneurial values as well as on the relationship with the territory, to which the entrepreneurs and SMEs are profoundly rooted. Sharing a system of common values which arises from a whole range of intangible context (social, anthropological, cultural) factors, specific to location, contributes to build a favourable business climate wherein the SMEs, together with other local actors, take part in constructing sustainable company and territory strategies. After presenting the theoretical framework the second section of the paper is developed by way of a qualitative research methodology centered upon the analysis of a sample of SMEs belonging to the Marche region, Italian territory “cradle” of the small-sized company and craft traditions. Using a cognitive approach, the study permits identifying the “roots” of good entrepreneurial practices and to trace the features of a territorial model of socially-responsible orientation based on excellent examples of “convivial enterprises” strongly rooted in their territories.