Mara Del Baldo

Corporate social responsibility and corporate governance in Italian SMEs: the experience of some “spirited businesses”

The study proposes to individuate the relationship between social engagement, social statements and governance of SMEs. Does an adhesion to the philosophy and to the practices of CSR, which are reflected in a firm’s mission and accountability, positively influences its governance? If so, is this influence more or less significant for SMEs with respect to large-sized firms? This paper winds itself around these questions and describes the principle findings that have emerged from a qualitative investigation focused on a selected group of “cohesive” Italian SMEs, in which their management complies with both economic and social issues. The empirical study finds that the diffusion of CSR is tied above all to the entrepreneur’s values and orientation and to the company embeddedness to the local socio-economic environment. The concluding reflections trace the features of a territorial model of socially responsible orientation centered on the best practices of SMEs who are excellent examples of “spirited businesses” and are part of a network (which includes institutions, trade associations, non-profit organizations, etc.) that contributes to the diffusion of an orientation towards CSR and to sustainability across the territory.

Corporate social responsibility and corporate governance in Italian SMEs: towards a 'territorial' model based on small 'champions' of CSR?

Does a positive relationship between the adhesion to a culture of social responsibility and evolved systems of governance exist? And is such correlation more or less significant for small- and medium-sized firms with respect to large-sized firms? This paper winds itself around these questions and describes the principle findings that have emerged from the qualitative investigation focused on a selected group of cohesive Italian small- and medium-sized businesses (SMEs), in which the nexus between the evolution of corporate governance and socially responsible management practices were examined. The concluding reflections trace the features of a territorial model of socially responsible orientation centred on the best practices of SMEs, convivial enterprises who are excellent examples of spirited businesses.

Pink accounting in Italy: cultural perspectives over discrimination and/or lack of interest

Purpose - The issue of gender inequality in the Italian universities and academic context does not seem to be particularly debated and is really rare. Starting from this “lack of interest”, the paper aims to inquire into the “state-of-the-art” of existing inequality in the scientific and academic path of Italian female scholars and academia, answering the following research question: Is discrimination between women and men linked to the number of scientific contributions in periodicals and their presence within academic boards of scientific accounting associations and journals in Italy? Design/methodology/approach - The methodology is primarily developed through a deductive analysis of the literature strands concerning gender accounting, accounting in academia and the role of women in universities and academia. Second, within the inductive perspective, the authors have chosen to inquire into the scientific publications of women on the oldest Italian journal in the accounting field – the Rivista Italiana di Ragioneria e di Economia Aziendale (RIREA). Subsequently, the position and career of women were analysed in academia investigating their presence and role within the boards of a sample of Italian journals and the main Italian accounting scientific associations Findings - Accordingly, this paper concentrates on gender inequalities in university and academia in Italy and on eventual obstacles that get in the way of the existence of scientific contributions in journals and of career progress of those women who carry on scholarly work in accounting. Research limitations/implications - The analysis confirms the need to open more space for women at the summits of political, economic and cultural institutions, including accounting academia and scientific journals. The paper has some limitations concerning the consideration of only Italian journals and academic associations. Then, we will develop the analysis in comparative terms, as attention will be addressed on the participation in scientific committees and boards of some of the major international scientific associations of accounting. Moreover, we will consider the narrative approach describing the stories of Italian women and accounting scholars to carefully investigate the reasons for this persistent discrimination. Originality/value - The innovative contribution of the paper is due to the fact that the authors are unaware of previous studies aimed at investigating if female accounting scholars are under-represented compared to their male colleagues within the top positions of the most prestigious Italian accounting associations and scientific journals. Previous research also did not investigate the existence of correlation between Italian women’s scientific productivity, their under-representation within academia and scientific career.

CSR-Oriented SMEs: A Question of Entrepreneurial Virtues in Action? Reflections in Theory and Practice

Does an adhesion to the philosophy and to the practices of CSR arise from entrepreneurial virtues? How are entrepreneurial values and attitudes influenced by (and derived from) entrepreneurial virtues? Starting from these research questions the paper describes, after an analysis of the literary framework on business ethics and CSR in SMEs, the principal findings that have emerged from a qualitative investigation focused on a multiple case-study relative to two Italian SMEs, in which the entrepreneur’s objectives complies with both economic and social issues and are inspired by virtues. Empirical analysis highlights the importance of transcendental values (virtues) which lie at the bases of the choices and decisions made by top management heads. Such values are transferred to the entire organization thus making the approach towards social responsibility and sustainability authentic and effective.

The implementation of integrating reporting in SMEs: Insights from a pioneering experience in Italy

Purpose - This paper aims to discuss the most critical aspects relative to the “usability” of the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) Framework faced by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in releasing the integrated report and adapting the Integrated Reporting (IR) principles (i.e. materiality, integrated thinking and connectivity) to their needs and features. Only recently the relevance of IR for SMEs has been internationally acknowledged. Design/methodology/approach - The study is based on both a deductive and inductive approach. The first one is founded on a literature and technical review aimed at tracing the theoretical background and the framework on integrating reporting in SMEs. The second one is empirically constructed and follows the action research approach because it involves the analysis of a single case-study relative to a company – Costa Edutainment Spa that released its pioneering integrated report in 2014 – belonging to the Italian Network on Business Reporting, a working group which has been involved in the pivotal drafting process of a Guidance for IR in SMEs. Findings - Results emphasise the main criticalities faced by an SME in the IR process, namely, the need for the following: clearly defining the relationship between sustainability and integrated reporting; adapting the main IR concepts (such us materiality, integrated thinking and connectivity) and fully understanding the benefits deriving from the implementation of IR. Moreover, results shed light on the usefulness of a simplified and operative guidance for releasing the integrated report within SMEs the effectiveness deriving from the direct involvement in the NIBR working group and the provision of practical examples and suggestions. Research limitations/implications - The main limitations are due to the fact that the empirical analysis is related to a single case study, and it is explorative in nature. Consequently, results are not generalisable. However, the work contributes to nourish the debate on the benefits and critical issues relative to the diffusion of IR among SMEs in a research field which has not been adequately investigated and to develop reflections on the benefits of the diffusion of the IR among SMEs, pointing out the opportunity to follow an evolutionary path which drives the evolution of the entrepreneurial and organisational culture towards monitoring, assessing and reporting the company’s value process creation. Practical implications - The work contributes to triggering the debate on the diffusion of IR among SMEs which represents a research field that remains still under investigated. It points out a fundamental gap on how to implement IR in SMEs and operationalise the IIRC concepts and principles. It develops reflections on the critical issues and benefits of the diffusion of the IR among SMEs. Drawing from a pioneering experience, the work contributes to supporting entrepreneurs by emphasising the possible benefits deriving from the implementation of the IR process. It suggests an evolutionary path through different steps (starting from the business model definition) which are necessary to drive the entrepreneurial and organisational culture towards monitoring, assessing and reporting the SMEs’ value process creation. Originality/value - The work contributes to devoting the attention of both scholars and practitioners to an underestimated research field – the “feasibility of IR in the SMEs context – which has not been yet adequately investigated. Moreover, being empirically based, it helps in supporting the diffusion of the IR framework among SMEs, practitioners and consultants by providing insights aimed to improve the IR Guidance for SMEs and sensitise entrepreneurs by emphasising that a possible step-by-step “IR journey” is possible.

The Relationships Between CSR, Good Governance and Accountability in the Economy of Communion (EoC) Enterprises

The chapter aims to propose a reflection on the new frontiers of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the principles and practices of good governance that are based on the experience of the Economy of Communion (EoC) enterprises which can be defined as companies with an “ideal motive” in that they are the results of a charismatic founder (Chiara Lubich) and the fruit of an ethical substratum, that directs every field of human behavior and, therefore, that economic behavior too.

Developing Businesses and Fighting Poverty: Critical Reflections on the Theories and Practices of CSR, CSV, and Inclusive Business

Purpose nThe work explores the development of inclusive businesses, paying particular attention to the mission and the motivations underlying the choices of sustainable businesses that—by increasing access to goods and services and creating new sources of income—benefit low-income communities and bring added value for companies and people living in poverty alike.

Sustainable Entrepreneurship: Next Stage of Responsible Business

The theme of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) is widely diffused in the literature and the debate among scholars of different disciplines has produced a rich set of contributions. In the last decade, studies of CSR have intersected and merged with those on sustainability, broadening the concept, as recently reviewed by the European Commission itself. Starting from these premises this work focuses on the concept of business’ “holistic development,” paying particular attention to the importance of “territorial” firms and highlighting the links between holistic development of the firm and its territory.

Is It Time for Integrated Reporting in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises? Reflections on an Italian Experience

In recent decades, several contributions have addressed the debate on the diffusion of the integrated reporting approach. Why would a company decide to combine its financial, social and environmental performance into a single report? Does the integrated report represent the best tool of accountability and the best solution? If so, why and for which companies? Studies and empirical research in this area have been mainly addressed to large enterprises, neglecting the integrated reporting of small and medium-sized business (SMEs) and the factors that may facilitate the adoption and its effectiveness.

Stakeholders’ management approach in Italian ‘territorial’ companies Loccioni Group and the ‘Land of Values – LOV’ project

What is the importance of sharing common values that originate from the entrepreneurs and companies embeddedness in a cohesive territorial socio-economic system? Departing from this research question and taking both a deductive and inductive perspective, the paper aims to propose reflections around three main topics: the entrepreneurial and familial origins of SMEs value systems, which are strictly connected to the historical, cultural, and social roots in their local territories; the influence of these values on the companies approaches to stakeholders management; and the development of stakeholders networks promoted by territorial companies, that share a mutual set of values. The case study (Loccioni Group) offers an example of good stakeholders management practice, which co-evolves with the environment, improving, at the same time, the companys competitiveness and the socio-economic conditions of the local context in which it is deeply embedded.