Background: Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is an evolving business strategy worldwide, focusing on the sustainability of the enterprise and the provision of multiple benefits to the societies and economies. Objective: The aim of this paper was to explore the encouraging and deterrent factors for the implementation of CSR actions in companies specializing in pharmaceutical and biomedical products as well as in medical equipment in Greece. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted (April to June 2021) in member-companies of the Hellenic Association of Pharmaceutical Companies, the Panhellenic Association of Pharmaceutical Industry and the Association of Health-Research and Biotechnology Industry. Data collection was carried out via an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed, using SPSS version 25 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA). The significance level was set at p≤0.05. Results: One hundred twelve questionnaires were distributed, out of which 87 were returned (response rate 77.7%). 81.1% of companies included CSR in their annual strategy, while only 32.4% of them follow the Global Reporting Initiative standards. The majority (62.2%) disposes ≤€100.000 from their annual turnover for CSR actions. The contribution to society and the ethical commitment of the enterprise are stated as the main encouraging factors for CSR, while bureaucracy and the lack of incentives as deterrents. Pharmaceutical companies reported social acceptance as the major CSR enabler compared to other companies (p=0.034), while companies specializing only in medical equipment/biotechnology mentioned industry competition (p=0.003). Bureaucracy has been revealed as the major disincentive for all participating companies. Corporate advertising is found as an important encouraging factor for the adoption of CSR for the international companies compared to the national ones (p=0.023). Moreover, 97.3% stated that the government should reward socially responsible companies by increasing financial incentives. Conclusion: The health technology industry in Greece implements CSR actions. The company's contribution to society and its ethical commitment are important encouraging factors for CSR, while bureaucracy and lack of government incentives are the main deterrents. The reward of socially sensitive companies by the government would provide significant entrepreneurial and societal benefits, supporting the overall Greek economy.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities have been revealed as an emerging managerial tool and research field. The socioeconomic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted several companies to take on CSR initiatives. The objective of this study was to investigate CSR initiatives implemented in companies specializing in pharmaceutical and biomedical products as well as medical equipment, prior and during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted in companies of the Hellenic Association of Pharmaceutical Companies (SFEE), the Panhellenic Association of Pharmaceutical Industry (PEF) and the Association of Health-Research and Biotechnology Industry (SEIV). A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to a total of 112 companies. Descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 25.0. Levels of significance were two-tailed and statistical significance was set at p = 0.05. The final sample consisted of 74 companies with a response rate of 77.7%. Among them 62.2% were multinational and 37.8% national companies. Some companies provided pharmaceuticals (40.5%), medical equipment and biotechnology products (32.4%) and others were specializing in both categories (27.1%). A percentage equal to 89.2% stated that they implemented CSR activities, out of which 75.7% carried out COVID-19 related initiatives, such as in public health (37.7%), societal issues (27.2%), environment (19.9%), etc. Approximately 50% increased their CSR activities during the pandemic. Moreover, the majority of companies devoted ≤30% of their total CSR budget against the pandemic. The higher a company's turnover, the higher CSR activities performance. Pharmaceutical and biomedical companies in Greece implemented CSR actions, prior and during the pandemic. Companies contributed to handle the effects of health crisis through CSR Covid-19 related activities, which differentiated according to How to cite this paper: