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SMEs want to benefit from socially responsible approach

Published On 31 January 2007 at 17:44:42

SMEs want to benefit from a socially responsible approach to their work, but are getting put off by terminology geared for big businesses, according to a new report.

Terms such as 'Corporate Social Responsibility' (CSR) are reducing the enthusiasm of smaller businesses who want to be involved with environmental management and community projects, it was found.

The report, which was published by the ESRC-funded Centre for Business Relationships, Accountability, Sustainability and Society (BRASS) at Cardiff University, shows that 71 per cent of SMEs feel alienated by the term 'CSR'.

The report argues that SMEs recognise that the effective tackling of environmental issues can help increase employee moral, improve company image and enhance overall efficiency.

A change of language and tone from environmental experts when they address SMEs will help some of these goals to be realised, it said.

The project's key researcher at Cardiff is Heledd Jenkins.

 

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