Jesús Herrera Madueño

Relationship between corporate social responsibility and competitive performance in Spanish SMEs: Empirical evidence from a stakeholders' perspective

In a financial economic scenario in which the corporate survival of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is more conditioned than ever by competitive performance, this paper aims to show that the strategic incorporation of socially responsible actions, more concerned and engaged with stakeholders, contributes to improve the competitiveness of these organizations. Thus, the existence of a direct or mediated relationship between the development of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices and competitive performance has been analyzed from a multi-stakeholder perspective. To accomplish this task, data were collected from a sample of 481 Spanish SMEs and the technique of partial least squares (PLS) was used. Outcomes show that the development of CSR practices contributes to increase the competitive performance both directly and indirectly, through the ability of these organizations to manage their stakeholders. This study, therefore, supports the social impact hypothesis and offers evidence about some intangibles such as the relational capacity mediate the causal effect between CSR and competitive performance.

A proposal for measuring sustainability in universities: a case study of Spain

Purpose Numerous sustainability assessment tools are being created and applied in the higher education sector. In light of such diversity, there is a need to provide a common guideline for sustainability assessment which makes easier the comparison among universities. Using as a reference the Spanish university system, the main aim of this paper is to develop a multi-item quantitative tool for measuring sustainability performance at universities. Design/methodology/approach To accomplish this task, the first step was to review the literature on sustainability assessment in universities. After reviewing the literature, the authors found more than 1,000 items. The next step was to select those items which were able to fit to the Spanish university context. On this basis, the authors selected a total of 268 items. These items were discussed in a workshop with senior management members from eight Spanish universities with the aim of analyzing the validity and relevance of the items selected. Findings Then, the proposal for measuring sustainability in Spanish universities was composed of a total of 156 relevant items. In addition, these items were grouped according to seven different dimensions (corporate governance, students, staff, society, environment, companies and continuous improvement). Also, it is important to note that these items were not associated with political risk and they were linked to provide more reliable information to assess sustainability in universities. Originality/value Recent literature have stated that the existing tools specifically developed for assessing higher education institutions performance toward sustainability have some weaknesses. Then, one of the main contributions of this study has been the creation of a new multi-item quantitative tool aimed at measuring the integrated consideration of social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainability in universities.

Factors influencing the presence of sustainability initiatives in the strategic planning of Spanish universities

Sustainability issues in higher educational institutions have attracted increasing levels of attention from both the public and policy-makers in recent decades. Many studies have called for a more integration of sustainability into mainstream university operations and curricula. Nevertheless, the interest in sustainability issues has been more recent in the specific case of Spain. On this basis, the aim of this paper is to examine the main factors (size of universities, chairs related to sustainability, political orientation and sustainability disclosure) that might explain the presence of sustainability initiatives in Spanish universities. To accomplish this task, data were collected using a systematic content analysis of the published strategic plans of Spanish universities during the last decade. Two main findings were identified: first, the four variables chosen were not related to the presence or absence of sustainability initiatives in the strategic plans of Spanish universities, excepting the parti...Sustainability issues in higher educational institutions have attracted increasing levels of attention from both the public and policy-makers in recent decades. Many studies have called for a more integration of sustainability into mainstream university operations and curricula. Nevertheless, the interest in sustainability issues has been more recent in the specific case of Spain. On this basis, the aim of this paper is to examine the main factors (size of universities, chairs related to sustainability, political orientation and sustainability disclosure) that might explain the presence of sustainability initiatives in Spanish universities. To accomplish this task, data were collected using a systematic content analysis of the published strategic plans of Spanish universities during the last decade. Two main findings were identified: first, the four variables chosen were not related to the presence or absence of sustainability initiatives in the strategic plans of Spanish universities, excepting the partial influence exerted by the size and political orientation. Second, there was a scarce presence of sustainability initiatives in the strategic plans of Spanish universities analysed.

The strategic nature of corporate social responsibility in SMEs: a multiple mediator analysis

The purpose of this paper is to analyse empirically the corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategic effects on the competitive performance of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by performing a multiple mediator analysis.,The empirical research was conducted in Spanish SMEs. A questionnaire was distributed among managers of these companies. Thus, with a final sample of 481 cases and using consistent partial least squares structural equation modelling, direct and mediating effects were tested. In particular, relationships among corporate social performance (CSP) (exogenous variable), competitive performance (endogenous variable), relational marketing (mediating variable) and innovative capacity (mediating variable) were hypothesized. Moreover, a further analysis about the superior returns offered by socially responsible practices related to core business stakeholders was conducted.,The results highlight a significant and positive effect that CSP has on competitive performance. Additionally, both mediating positive effects were supported and the firm size was checked as a relevant control variable which, as proxy for resources availability, affects all constructs used with the exception of relational marketing. Managers interested in a strategic approach to social responsibility should be aware that the investment in activities related to employees and customers leads to higher competitiveness.,The study was limited to SME in Spain. Moreover, information related to competitive performance was gathered from managers’ own perceptions, considering the performance of their direct competitors as a reference level.,To the authors knowledge, no research studies were found that empirically examined the business case in SMEs and employed a CSR approach based on stakeholders’ perspective. Therefore, the main contribution of this research is to show how socially responsible management of SMEs leads to higher competitive performance both direct and indirectly, using two strategic variables suggested in literature on large corporations. Despite their resources limitations, this kind of organizations is in a favourable position to engage with different stakeholders and benefit from their relationships, especially with employees and customers.

Una propuesta metodológica para el análisis de la eficiencia de las pequeñas y medianas empresas familiares

RESUMEN Los distintos trabajos que han explorado los efectos de la propiedad y el control familiar sobre la eficiencia de las pequeñas y medianas empresas han llegado a conclusiones dispares e incluso, en muchos casos, contradictorias. Este trabajo discute las limitaciones presentes en este tipo de estudios y, partiendo de ellas, propone un modelo específico de análisis centrado en dos elementos básicos: 1. una variable categórica ordinal que permite diferenciar tres niveles de «carácter familiar» de las empresas, y 2. una medida multidimensional de eficiencia propuesta a partir del modelo Data Envelopment Análisis (DEA).

An analysis of university sustainability reports from the GRI database: an examination of influential variables

In the business context, many papers have examined whether certain variables can affect sustainability disclosure practices. However, research on universities has mainly been addressed to explore t...In the business context, many papers have examined whether certain variables can affect sustainability disclosure practices. However, research on universities has mainly been addressed to explore the extent of sustainability information reported with little focus on determining the factors that may affect it. This paper analyzes the influence exerted by some variables concerning the extent of information reported in the university sustainability reports included in this study. To accomplish this task, data were collected using a content analysis of the university sustainability reports extracted from the GRI sustainability disclosure database. The findings reveal that sustainability disclosure practices by universities are explained by different factors, among which are institutionalization, geographical region, external assurance and leadership. Such results are supported jointly by the underpinnings of the institutional and legitimacy theories in response to coercive and mimetic pressures and by the need to improve reputation in society.

Characterisation of CSR practices in Spanish SMEs through a cluster analysis

Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the main driving force in European economic growth and as such this research aims to provide an insight into SME corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices. Within this scope, the objective is to analyse the level of development of SR practices for a sample of 509 Spanish SMEs, and the impact that certain explanatory factors such as size, sector, ownership structure or genre of the manager have on the level of implementation of sustainable practices. The main results of this study reveal that CSR has already been incorporated into the daily management of such companies being these practices essentially internally focused. Also, our results imply further evidence confirming the statements of many authors who have pointed out the sector, size and being women at charge of a firm, as key explanatory factors, which affect the company in adopting and implementing CSR practices in the strategic plans of SMEs.

Development of corporate social responsibility in small and medium-sized enterprises and its nexus with quality management

Abstract The role and impact of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the economy means that it is becoming increasingly difficult to dismiss the importance of the latter in socially relevant issues as important as employment, innovation and standard of living. Through content analysis, this study mainly provides a literature survey about the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in relation to quality management in SMEs. It seeks to identify main CSR practices SMEs develop, and investigate if they are related to quality management practices directly or at least implicitly. This would help us to identify parallels between quality management and the importance of conducting socially responsible management. Using 107 empirical studies from 1976 to September 2014, this study provides a baseline for future empirical studies in these areas. For this purpose, main topics and practices of CSR in the SME context are identified. Specifically, we arrive at the conclusion that these firms are increasingly integrating both CSR and quality management practices to comply with stakeholders needs, and that most common social and environmental practices facilitate the development of quality management practices.