Can an SME become a global corporate citizen? Evidence from a case study

摘要

Global Corporate Citizenship (GCC)continues to become increasingly popular in large corporations.However, this concept has rarely been consideredin small and medium size enterprises (SMEs). Acase study of a Norwegian clothing company illustrateshow GCC can be also applied to small companies. Thiscase study also shows that SMEs can be very innovative inexercising corporate citizenship, without necessarily followingthe patterns of large multinational companies. Thecompany studied engages as partner in some voluntarylabor initiatives promoted by the government, employspeople in marginal situations, and exerts influence for theadoption of good working conditions in its supply chain.Environmental issues and actions of solidarity are alsoconsidered within a global scope. Ethics of care andconcern for specific aspects of the common good seemcrucial as GCC drivers in this company, as do personalvalues, character, and leadership of the owner-manager ofthe firm.