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Uptake of corporate social responsibility (CSR) by European SMEs and start-ups
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Uptake of corporate social responsibility (CSR) by European SMEs and start-ups

The SME checklist for responsible and sustainable conduct

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The “SME Checklist for Responsible and Sustainable Conduct” was developed alongside the study “Uptake of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by European small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups” that had been commissioned by the European Innovation Council and SME Executive Agency. Before this study, there was little systematic analysis or data on the uptake of CSR/sustainability practices by smaller companies and start-ups across Europe. The impact of those practices on SME capacity to grow and innovate was also largely unexamined. However, the study, covering 15 EU Member States and 3 (potential) candidate countries, as well as 8 economic sectors, enabled to map, assess and report findings with respect to CSR/sustainability uptake in SMEs. Study findings showcase large variations between SME uptake of CSR/sustainability, depending on their level of maturity, their size, as well as the sector or country in which they operate. As a result, there is no easy and a one-size-fits-all solution to encouraging CSR/sustainability uptake amongst SMEs. However, many companies are growing aware of the general discourse on sustainability in relation to business operations. At the same time, among other things, SMEs lack the necessary practical knowledge on how to approach certain themes and topics, or how to develop more responsible/sustainable conduct without incurring significant costs. The “SME Checklist for Responsible and Sustainable Conduct” was developed to provide SMEs with an easily accessible tool that should help companies gain more clarity and understanding regarding their own actions. The tool is broadly based on the ISO 26000 Guidance Standard on Social Responsibility. An adapted version of this standard was used within the context of this study, because it was the most applicable within the context of SMEs.
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