A Study of the Core Determinants of SMB Social Responsibility: Evidence from Chinese Specialty Restaurants

摘要

Although corporate social responsibility (CSR) has primarily been the concern of transnational corporations (TNCs), it is increasingly involving small and medium businesses (SMBs), as the change to the commercial environment in which individual SMBs operate. But, the lesson and approaches of CSR from TNCs and large companies in developed countries can not be simply transferred to SMBs in developing countries. The main purpose of this study is to find out what are the core determinants of SMB social responsibility which can lead SMBs to more social acceptance and higher alignment with consumer concerns in developing countries, and therefore more opportunities for greater market access, cost saving, productivity and innovation which are crucial to sustainable development. By employing the method of factor analysis to investigate 20 Chinese specialty restaurants, this study shows that five factors, which consist of the brand design and strategy, product quality and safety, product pricing, environment culture information and brand maintenance and protection, are core determinants of SMB social responsibility. Finally, on the basis of the analysis, three effective measures in SMBs are suggested in order to achieve both economic and social success.