Can a Finnish SME gain competitive advantage through strategic CSR. : in the case of Finbow Ltd.
Hainari-Maula, Lotta (2015)
Metropolia Ammattikorkeakoulu
2015
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201505209082
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-201505209082
Tiivistelmä
The thesis is researching if a Finnish small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) can gain competitive advantage through strategic corporate social responsibility (CSR).
In order to give an understanding of the broad concept of CSR, the research starts with a theory section consisting of a definition of CSR, followed by a discussion of the two main differing views of CSR. Then the concept of strategic CSR is introduced, and the relation between CSR and SMEs is discussed.
In the case study, the possibilities of one Finnish SMEs to use strategic CSR is evaluated. A strategic plan is made, which consists of both internal and external analyses. The analyses are presenting the possibilities and obstacles the current market area offers, as well as which internal capabilities and weaknesses can help or hinder the chosen strategic direction. On the basis of the analyses, a suggestion for a strategic direction using strategic CSR is given for the case study company.
The summary of the results show that in fact it is possible for a Finnish SME to gain competitive advantage through strategic CSR. Due to the fact that the thesis is researching one company’s possibilities to use strategic CSR as a basis for competitive advantage, further research is suggested. The limitation of this research give an incentive to further study the relationship between CSR and Finnish SMEs, as well as the interrelation between size, industry, profit growth and CSR.
In order to give an understanding of the broad concept of CSR, the research starts with a theory section consisting of a definition of CSR, followed by a discussion of the two main differing views of CSR. Then the concept of strategic CSR is introduced, and the relation between CSR and SMEs is discussed.
In the case study, the possibilities of one Finnish SMEs to use strategic CSR is evaluated. A strategic plan is made, which consists of both internal and external analyses. The analyses are presenting the possibilities and obstacles the current market area offers, as well as which internal capabilities and weaknesses can help or hinder the chosen strategic direction. On the basis of the analyses, a suggestion for a strategic direction using strategic CSR is given for the case study company.
The summary of the results show that in fact it is possible for a Finnish SME to gain competitive advantage through strategic CSR. Due to the fact that the thesis is researching one company’s possibilities to use strategic CSR as a basis for competitive advantage, further research is suggested. The limitation of this research give an incentive to further study the relationship between CSR and Finnish SMEs, as well as the interrelation between size, industry, profit growth and CSR.