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SMEs as “transmitters” of CSR requirements in the supply chain

SMEs as “transmitters” of CSR requirements in the supply chain Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop understanding of the role of small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in relation to sustainable supply chain management, i.e. how corporate social responsibility (CSR) is integrated in their relationship with customers and suppliers. Design/methodology/approach – Drawing from a survey of CSR requirements among 410 Spanish SMEs, the paper examines the extent to which SMEs receive social and environmental requirements from diverse customer typologies and the extent to which they pass on such requirements to different supplier typologies. Findings – Based on survey results, it is concluded that large businesses are the most demanding customers in terms of the CSR requirements imposed to their SME suppliers. In turn, SMEs are able to transfer the requests received from their (larger) customers to their own suppliers. Research limitations/implications – The data are confined to companies located in a particular region (Catalonia in Spain), which questions its generalizability to other geographical contexts. Practical implications – The research shows that small and medium companies can be effective in spreading the CSR requirements received from large companies through the supply chain. Originality/value – The paper contributes to research on sustainable supply chain management from the SME perspective and offers a systematic analysis of the CSR activities of SMEs, both as suppliers and buyers. In addition, it proposes a rigorous way to measure the CSR‐related supply chain pressure. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Supply Chain Management: An International Journal Emerald Publishing

SMEs as “transmitters” of CSR requirements in the supply chain

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Publisher
Emerald Publishing
Copyright
Copyright © 2013 Emerald Group Publishing Limited. All rights reserved.
ISSN
1359-8546
DOI
10.1108/SCM-04-2012-0152
Publisher site
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Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop understanding of the role of small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) in relation to sustainable supply chain management, i.e. how corporate social responsibility (CSR) is integrated in their relationship with customers and suppliers. Design/methodology/approach – Drawing from a survey of CSR requirements among 410 Spanish SMEs, the paper examines the extent to which SMEs receive social and environmental requirements from diverse customer typologies and the extent to which they pass on such requirements to different supplier typologies. Findings – Based on survey results, it is concluded that large businesses are the most demanding customers in terms of the CSR requirements imposed to their SME suppliers. In turn, SMEs are able to transfer the requests received from their (larger) customers to their own suppliers. Research limitations/implications – The data are confined to companies located in a particular region (Catalonia in Spain), which questions its generalizability to other geographical contexts. Practical implications – The research shows that small and medium companies can be effective in spreading the CSR requirements received from large companies through the supply chain. Originality/value – The paper contributes to research on sustainable supply chain management from the SME perspective and offers a systematic analysis of the CSR activities of SMEs, both as suppliers and buyers. In addition, it proposes a rigorous way to measure the CSR‐related supply chain pressure.

Journal

Supply Chain Management: An International Journal – Emerald Publishing

Published: Jul 29, 2013

Keywords: Small to medium‐sized enterprises; Supply chain management; Spain; Corporate social responsibility; Sustainable supply chain management; Environmental and social standards

References

  • Corporate social responsibility in global supply chains
    Andersen, M.; Skjoett‐Larsen, T.
  • The effect of buyer pressure on suppliers in SMEs to demonstrate CSR practices: an added incentive or counterproductive?
    Baden, D.; Harwood, I.; Woodward, D.
  • The use of environmental and social standards by German first‐tier suppliers of the Volkswagen AG
    Beske, P.; Koplin, J.; Seuring, S.