Summary: | 碩士 === 國立成功大學 === 政治經濟研究所 === 103 === This paper offers an assessment of Tainan small business on assumption of social and environmental responsibility. Based on in-depth interviews the author tries to examine the self-perceptions of small business in the Tainanese food industry on the nature and amount of contributions they believe they should make and they are making to society. The article uses Carroll’s CSR dimensions (1979) as a research framework to categorize data into a CSR map.
The main contribution of the study is shedding more light on the motives, values, practices as well as limitations to small business social responsibility in southern Taiwan. A wide range of informal CSR practices in the areas of product management, employee satisfaction and community involvement was found, environment being the least concern. A motivation for work above legal requirements and progress targets different from pure profit maximization were also noted although participants were often against official CSR codes in SMEs. The study findings suggest a need for both carrot and stick approaches on part of the government as well as a wider sustainability education programs targeting business and society in general. This text could be useful for further research and actions on using small business for turning CSR into a more practical and real tool for alleviating the burden on our environment and achieving sustainable development.
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