Exploring the Fit between CSR and Innovation

Abstract

An exploration of the fit or space between CSR and innovation is presented, based on the RESPONSE project, a 15-month study which involved 60 SMEs throughout Europe. The main practical output of the project was the Social Innovation model, yet a conceptual understanding of CSR and innovation is best advanced through the three hypotheses that constitute the conclusions of the project: H1) The diffusion of CSR should be modelled on the diffusion of innovation; H2) CSR implementation and innovation can be configured to form a virtuous circle; and H3) There is a maturity path towards true integration of CSR and innovation. These three hypotheses inform, respectively, on the background, results and development of the project. H1 is framed within the context of the original European Commission call and proposal; H2 ties in with the Social Innovation model; and H3 is discussed in the light of a short case involving a high-performing SME. Since the hypotheses were the result of the project, we do not attempt to prove them here, but discuss their significance, with the idea that further research and community development will fully evaluate their accuracy.

Saying and doing: Social responsibility declared and applied

“…Increasing stakeholder expectations with respect to philanthropic and community investment have led businesses to rethink their roles and their social agendas through social innovation to develop innovative solutions to serve social needs (Herman & Renz, ; Kanter & Summers, ; Mirvis, Herrera, Googins, & Albareda, ; Mulgan, ; Pasricha & Rao, ). Social innovation generally implies a normative stance with the goal of creating something positive for society (MacGregor & Fontrodona, ; Osburg, ). Meanwhile, it can be difficult to distinguish between social innovation and other innovation (Neumeier, ).…”

CSR strategy, green innovation, and firm performance: A conceptual framework

“…The present paper wants to answer questions posed above. Although both CSR and innovation are important source of corporate competitive advantage, they have seldom been explicitly discussed together in the literature [1] ,extant literature calls for more deeply theoretical inquiry into this field [2], and concerns about this theme have grown quickly in recent years [3][4][5][6]. There are two literature streams discussing the relationship between CSR and innovation.…”

Exploring the Fit Between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Innovation in the Search for Corporate Reputation

“…social and/or inclusive design); and ethical manufacture that facilitate the inclusion of CSR into a firm's processes. Increasingly, from a CSR point of view as posited by MacGregor and Fontrodona (2008), a firm should endeavour to innovate its actions and processes by paying attention not only to the demand for socially responsible products, but also at the same time being mindful of the implications of social responsibility of the actions and/or activities of actors across the firm's supply.…”

“…A company's capabilities with respect to products and processes innovation, for example, are key performance indicators that are taken into account in the definition of companies' product quality, productivity, and image (Easterby- Smith and Prieto, 2008). Despite the large body of research on CSR and innovation, attempts at integrating the two fields of research in the literature has largely not received much research attention (see, e.g., Midttun, 2007); although few studies (see, e.g., MacGregor and Fontrodona, 2008;Husted and Allen, 2007;McWilliams and Siegel, 2001) have sought to explore the link between CSR and innovation, or aspects thereof, without a consensus having been reached. Bansal (2005) and Husted and Allen (2007), in particular, have underscored the need to pay closer attention to the link between CSR practices and innovation strategy of companies.…”