Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

Intrinsic CSR and Competition pp 35–79Cite as

Palgrave Macmillan

Company Case Study 1: To (Crafts)Man Up—How Swiss SMEs Cope with CSR in Harsh Times

  • Chapter
  • First Online:

  • 849 Accesses

Abstract

Many Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Switzerland have highly sophisticated Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agendas. In many cases, they are unintended, informal as they are coming from corporate cultures that nurture a “raison d’être” and a noble business purpose beyond profit-maximisation. Previous research aggregated this core logic to an overarching SME business model, L’EPOQuE, making Swiss SMEs, arguably, hidden CSR champions about social, economic, and environmental responsibilities. This model is borne by a set of key features: i.e., the process of work socialisation, soft assets, proximity and informality, agility, the nexus of company ownership and government, the focus on education, and long-range planning. By the methods of focus group discussion with seven SME owner-managers combined with case studies located in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, this research looked at the impact of different financial crisis on the Swiss CSR business model. The results show surprisingly strongly, that there is no substantial leverage. The psychological and sociological tradition of stewardship and the SMEs’ emphasis on excellent craftsmanship help sustain morale and ethics despite economic downturns. As their business model evolves from CSR as “moral activity” it prevents the potential sacrifice of ethics due to financial scarcity. At the same time, it mirrors a highly competitive business approach that can be generalised to other unconventional, “non-standard” milieus where money might be short (e.g., in start-up companies). Considering the economic, political, and social competitiveness of Swiss SMEs and their relevance within CSR, this study demonstrates the power of the small business approach as it works detached from economic situations.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Arjaliès, D.-L., & Mundy, J. (2013). The use of management control systems to manage CSR: A levers of control perspective. Management Accounting Research,24, 284–300.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Asif, M., Searcy, C., Zutshi, A., & Fisscher, O. A. M. (2013). An integrated management system approach to corporate social responsibility. Journal of Cleaner Production,56, 7–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Atteslander, P. (2010). Methoden der empirischen Sozialforschung. 13., neu bearbeitete und erweiterte Auflage. Berlin: Erich Schmidt Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baldarelli, M.-G., Del Baldo, M., & Ferrone, C. (2015). The relationship between CSR, good governance, and accountability in the Economy of Communion (EoC) enterprises. In S. O. Idowu, C. S. Frederiksen, A. Y. Mermod, & M. E. J. Nielsen (Eds.), Corporate social responsibility and governance—Theory and practice. Zürich: Springer.

    Google Scholar 

  • Banerjee, S. B. (2008). Corporate social responsibility: The good, the bad and the ugly. Critical Sociology,34(1), 51–79.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baumann-Pauly, D., Wickert, C., Spence, L. J., & Scherer, A. G. (2013). Organising corporate social responsibility in small and large firms: Size matters. Journal of Business Ethics,115(4), 693–705.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baumgartner, E., Greiwe, S., & Schwarb, T. (2004). Die berufliche Integration von behinderten Personen in der Schweiz. Studie zur Beschäftigungssituation und zu Eingliederungsbemühungen. Beiträge zur Sozialen Sicherheit, 5(4), 1–36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bhattacharya, R., Devinney, T. M., & Pilluta, M. M. (1998). A formal model of trust based on outcomes. Academy of Management Review,23(3), 450–472.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Berger, V., Winistörfer, H., Weissert, S., Heim, E., & Schüz, M. (2012). Swiss corporate sustainability survey 2012: Nachhaltigkeit in Schweizer Unternehmen. Winterthur: ZHAW.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bio Suisse. (2016). Bio in Zahlen. http://www.bio-suisse.ch/de/bioinzahlen.php. Accessed 27 April 2016.

  • Bobst. (2015). Annual profile 2015.http://www.bobst.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Investors/Reports/Annual_Profile_2015_EN.pdf. Accessed 17 January 2016.

  • Bowen, H. P. (1953). Social responsibility of the businessmen. New York: Harper.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, D. J., & King, J. B. (1982). Small business ethics: Influences and perceptions. Journal of Small Business Management,20(1), 11–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brûlé, T. (2005, November 19). Frustration and the great European office furniture hunt. Financial Times.http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/b680f346-58a0-11da-90dd-0000779e2340,Authorised=false.html?_i_location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fcms%2Fs%2F0%2Fb680f346-58a0-11da-90dd-0000779e2340.html%3Fsiteedition%3Dintl&siteedition=intl&_i_referer=. Accessed 31 May 2015.

  • Bruni, L., & Uelmen, A. J. (2006). Religious values and corporate decision making: The economy of communion project. Fordham University Journal of Corporate & Financial Law,9, 645–680.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buhmann, K. (2015). Juridifying corporate social responsibility through public law: Assessing coherence and inconsistencies against UN Guidance on Business & Human Rights. International and Comparative Corporate Law Journal,11(3), 1–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Calace, D. (2013). Non-financial reporting in Italian SMEs: An exploratory study on strategic and cultural motivations. International Journal of Business Administration,5(3), 1–35.

    Google Scholar 

  • Caroll, A. B. (1979). A three-dimensional conceptual model of corporate performance. Academy of Management Review,4, 497–505.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Castelló, I., & Lozano, J. M. (2011). Searching for new forms of legitimacy through corporate responsibility rhetoric. Journal of Business Ethics,100(1), 11–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • CDI. (2011). Supported education. Forschungsbericht Schweiz.http://www.cdi.unisg.ch/de/volkswirtschaft/forschung/supportededucation. 24 April 2014.

  • Cordeiro, J. J., & Sarkis, J. (1997). Environmental proactivism and firm performance: Evidence from security analyst earnings forecasts. Business Strategy and the Environment,6(2), 104–114.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Creswell, J. W. (2007). Qualitative inquiry & research design: Choosing among five approaches. Thousand Oaks: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Curran, J., & Blackburn, R. (1994). Small firms and local economic networks: The death of the local economy? London: Paul Chapman.

    Google Scholar 

  • Deegan, C. (2002). The legitimising effect of social and environmental disclosures—A theoretical foundation. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal,15(3), 282–311.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Del Baldo, M. (2010a). Corporate social responsibility and corporate governance in Italian SMEs: The experience of some “spirited businesses”. Journal of Management Governance,16, 1–36.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Del Baldo, M. (2010b). Corporate social responsibility and corporate governance governance in Italian SMEs: Towards a “territorial” model based on small “champions” of CSR? International Journal of Sustainable Society,2(3), 215–247.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Del Baldo, M., & Baldarelli, M. G. (2015). From weak to strong CSR: The experience of the EoC (economy of communion) industrial parks in Germany and Italy. uwf UmweltWirtschaftsforum, 23, 213–226.

    Google Scholar 

  • Du, D., Swaen, V., Lindgreen, A., & Sen, S. (2013). The roles of leadership styles in corporate social responsibility. Journal of Business Ethics,114, 155–169.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Du, S., & Vieira, E. T. (2012). Striving for legitimacy through corporate social responsibility: Insights from oil companies. Journal of Business Ethics,110(4), 413–427.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • El Baz, J., Laguir, I., Marais, M., & Staglianò, R. (2014). Influence of national institutions on the corporate social responsibility practices of small- and medium-sized enterprises in the food-processing industry: Differences between France and Morocco. Journal of Business Ethics.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elkington, J. (1998). Partnership from cannibals with forks: The triple bottom line of the 21st-centrury business. Environmental Quality Management,8(Authum), 37–51.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Enderle, G. (2004). Global competition and corporate responsibilities of small and medium-sized enterprises. Business Ethics: A European Review,13(1), 51–63.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Epstein, M., & Roy, M. (2003). Making the business case for sustainability. Journal of Corporate Citizenship,9, 79–96.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fassin, Y. (2008). SMEs and the fallacy of formalising CSR. Business Ethics: A European Review,17(4), 364–378.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Federal Administration. (2008, July 7). Information about Switzerland.http://web.archive.org/web/20100123153543/http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/reps/ocea/vaus/infoch.html. Accessed 3 August 2015.

  • Ferauge, P. (2013). The complementarity of corporate social responsibility and innovation: Evidence from Belgian firms. Global Journal of Business Research,7(5), 99–113.

    Google Scholar 

  • Filbeck, G., & Gorman, R. F. (2004). The relationship between environmental and financial performance of public utilities. Environmental & Resource Economics,29, 137–157.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Friedman, M. (1962). Capitalism and freedom. Chicago: The University of Chicago.

    Google Scholar 

  • FSO Federal Statistical Office. (2003, May 6). Definitionen. http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/06/11/def.html. Accessed 1 January 2015.

  • FSO Federal Statistical Office. (2012a). Bildungssystem Schweiz – Indikatoren: Umfeld des Bildungssystems - Ausbildende Betriebe. http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/15/17/blank/01.indicator.403302.4031.html. Accessed 20 April 2014.

  • FSO Federal Statistical Office. (2012b). Panorama: Industrie und Dienstleistungen.http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/06/01/pan.Document.118137.pdf. Accessed 3 September 2014.

  • FSO Federal Statistical Office. (2013). Statistik der Unternehmensstruktur 2011.http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/de/index/themen/06/01/new/nip_detail.html?gnpID=2013-716. Accessed 6 March 2014.

  • Gabler. (2015). Gabler Wirtschaftslexikon. http://wirtschaftslexikon.gabler.de/. Accessed 8 August 2015.

  • Gentile, G. C. (2012). Gemeinschaft und Gesellschaft. In T. Wehner, & G. C. Gentile (Eds.), Corporate volunteering. uniscope: Publikationen der SGO Stiftung (pp. 173–180). Wiesbaden: Gabler Verlag Springer Fachmedien.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gentile, G. C., & Lorenz, C. (2012). Schweizer Unternehmen als gute Bürger - Eine Tradition im Wandel der Zeit. In T. Wehner & G. C. Gentile (Eds.), Corporate volunteering. uniscope: Publikationen der SGO Stiftung (pp. 79–89). Wiesbaden: Gabler Verlag Springer Fachmedien.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gephard, R. P. (2004). From the editors: Qualitative research and the academy of management journal. Academy of Management Journal,47(4), 454–462.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Godfrey, P. (2005). The relationship between corporate philanthropy and shareholder wealth: A risk management perspective. Academy of Management Review,30, 777–798.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gond, J.-P., Grubnic, S., Herzig, Ch., & Moon, J. (2012). Configuring management control systems: Theorizing the integration of strategy and sustainability. Management Accounting Research,23, 205–223.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Graafland, J. J., & Mazereeuw-Van der Duijn Schouten, C. (2012). Motives for corporate social responsibility. De Economist,160, 377–396.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gundel, S. (2005). Towards a new typology of crises. Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management,13(3), 106–115.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hassel, L., Nilsson, H., & Nyquist, S. (2005). The value relevance of environmental performance. European Accounting Review,14, 41–62.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Helmig, B., Lichtsteiner, H., & Gmür, M. (2010). Der dritte Sektor in der Schweiz. Landerstudie zum Johns Hopkins Comparative Nonprofit Sector Project (CNP). Bern: Haupt Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Høgevold, N. M., Svensson, G., Wagner, B., Petzer, D. J., Klopper, H. B., Sosa Varela, J. C., et al. (2014). Sustainable business models—Corporate reasons, economic effects, social boundaries, environmental actions and organisational challenges in sustainable business practices. Baltic Journal of Management,9(3), 357–380.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Il Park, B., & Ghauri, P. N. (2015). Determinants influencing CSR practices in small and medium sized MNE subsidiaries: A stakeholder perspective. Journal of World Business,50, 192–204.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jamali, D. (2008). A stakeholder approach to corporate social responsibility: A fresh perspective into theory and practice. Journal of Business Ethics,82(2), 213–231.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jenkins, H. (2006). Small business champions for corporate social responsibility. Journal of Business Ethics,67(3), 241–256.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jones, T. M., & Wicks, A. C. (1999). Convergent stakeholder theory. Academy of Management Review,24, 206–221.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jönsson, S. A., Lundin, R. A., & Sjöberg, L. (1978). Frustration in decision making processes: A tentative frame of reference. International Studies of Management & Organization,7(3), 6–19.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kakabadse, N., Rozuel, C., & Lee-Davies, L. (2005). Corporate social responsibility and stakeholder approach: A conceptual review. International Journal of Business Governance and Ethics,1(4), 227–302.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kalakou, S., & Macário, R. (2013). An innovative framework for the study and structure of airport business models. Case Studies on Transport Policy,1, 2–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kitzinger, J. (1994). The methodology of focus groups: The importance of interaction between reserach participants. Sociology of Health & Illness,16(1), 103–121.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • KMU Portal. (2012). Eurokrise: Die Schweiz halt sich, so gut es geht. http://www.kmu.admin.ch/aktuell/00305/02432/02687/index.html?lang=de. Accessed 20 January 2016.

  • KMU Portal. (2015). Moderates Wachstum im Jahre 2015. http://www.kmu.admin.ch/aktuell/00305/02432/02687/index.html?lang=de. Accesssed 20 January 2016.

  • Kriesi, H. (1980). Entscheidungsstrukturen und Entscheidungsprozesse in der Schweizer Politik. Frankfurt: Campus Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lagadec, P. (1993). Preventing chaos in a crisis. London: McGraw-Hill.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lagadec, P. (1995). Cellules de Crise: Les conditions d’une conduite efficace. Paris: Editions d’organisation.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lindblom, C. K. (1994). The implications of organizational legitimacy for corporate social performance and disclosure. Critical Perspectives on Accounting Conference, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Linder, W. (2005). Schweizerische Demokratie. 2, vollständig überarbeitete und (aktualisierte ed.). Bern: Haupt Verlag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Looser, S., & Wehrmeyer, W. (2014). CSR mapping: Swiss stakeholder salience, concerns, and ethics. Social Science Research Network.http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2541199. Accessed 27 August 2015.

  • Looser, S., & Wehrmeyer, W. (2015a). Stakeholder mapping of CSR in Switzerland. Social Responsibility Journal,11(1), 780–830.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Looser, S., & Wehrmeyer, W. (2015b). An emerging template of CSR in Switzerland. Corporate Ownership and Control Journal,12(3), 541–560.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Looser, S., & Wehrmeyer, W. (2015c). Varieties of capitalism and small business CSR: A comparative overview. International Journal of Social, Behavioral, Educational, Economic and Management Engineering,9(7), 1953–1962.

    Google Scholar 

  • Looser, S., & Wehrmeyer, W. (2015d). Doing well or doing good? UmweltWirtschaftsForum, 23(4), 227–240.

    Google Scholar 

  • Looser, S., & Wehrmeyer, W. (2016). Swiss CSR-driven business models: Extending the mainstream or the need for new templates? Corporate Ownership and Control Journal, 13(4), 110–121.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lorenz, C., & Spescha, G. (2012). Engagement bei Profit- und Non-Profit-Unternehmen. In T. Wehner & G. C. Gentile (Eds.), Corporate volunteering. uniscope: Publikationen der SGO Stiftung (pp. 115–126). Wiesbaden: Gabler Verlag Springer Fachmedien.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lorenzo-Molo, C. F., & Siloran Udani, Z. A. (2013). Bringing back the essence of the “S” and “R” to CSR: Understanding the limitations of the merchant trade and the white man burden. Journal of Business Ethics,117, 123–136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lounsbury, M. (2008). Institutional rationality and practice variation: New directions in the institutional analysis of practice. Accounting, Organisations and Society,33, 349–361.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maas, S., & Reniers, G. (2014). Development of a CSR model for practice: Connecting five inherent areas of sustainable business. Journal of Cleaner Production,64, 104–114.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MacGregor, S. P., & Fontrodona, J. (2008). Exploring the fit between CSR and innovation. Working Paper—Centre for Business in Society, 759, 1–20.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mahmudur Rahim, M., & Wisuttisak, P. (2013). Corporate social responsibility oriented compliances and SMEs access to global market: Evidence from Bangladesh. Journal of Asia-Pacific Business,14(1), 58–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Margolis, J. D., & Walsh, J. P. (2003). Misery loves companies: Rethinking social initiatives by business. Administrative Science Quarterly,48(2), 268–305.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martinet, A. C., & Reynaud E. (2001). Shareholders, stakeholders et stratégie. Revue Française de Gestion. Novembre-Décembre, Vol. 136.

    Google Scholar 

  • Martinet, A. C., & Payaud, M. A. (2008). Formes de RSE et entreprises sociales: une hybridation des strategies. Revue Française de Gestion,34(180), 199–214.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Matten, D., & Moon, J. (2008). ‘Implicit’ and ‘explicit’ CSR: A conceptual framework for a comparative understanding of corporate social responsibility. Academy of Management Review,33(2), 404–424.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mayr, S. (2015). Corporate social responsibility in SMEs: The case of Austrian construction company. Research Gate. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279000462_CORPORATE_SOCIAL_RESPONSIBILITY_IN_SMES_THE_CASE_OF_AN_AUSTRIAN_CONSTRUCTION_COMPANY. Accesssed 20 January 2016.

  • McWilliams, A., & Siegel, D. (2000). Corporate social responsibility and financial performance: Correlation or misspecification? Strategic Management Journal, 21, 603–609.

    Google Scholar 

  • McWilliams, A., & Siegel, D. (2001). Corporate social responsibility: A theory of the firm perspective. Academy of Management Review,26, 117–127.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mintzberg, H. (1983). The case for social responsibility. Journal of Business Strategy,4(2), 3–15.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, D. L. (1988). Focus group as qualitative research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgan, D. L. (1996). Focus groups. Annual Review of Sociology,22, 129–152.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Morsing, M., & Perrini, F. (2009). CSR in SMEs: Do SMEs matter for the CSR agenda? Business Ethics: A European Review,18(1), 1–6.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nelling, E., & Webb, E. (2009). Corporate social responsibility and financial performance: The “virtuous circle” revisited. Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting,32(2), 197–209.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Neron, P., & Norman, W. (2008). Citizenship Inc.: Do we really want business to be good citizens. Business Ethics Quarterly, 18(1), 1–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • Newman, A., & Sheikh, A. Z. (2012). Organisational commitment in Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises: The role of extrinsic, intrinsic and social rewards. The International Journal of Human Resource Management,23(2), 349–367.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nkiko, C. M. (2013). SME owner-manager as key drivers of corporate social responsibility in Uganda. International Journal of Business Governance and Ethics,8(4), 376–400.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nolan, J. (2013). The Corporate Responsibility to respect human rights: Soft law or not law? In S. Deva & D. Bilchitz (Eds.), Human rights obligations of business: Beyond the corporate responsibility to respect? (pp. 138–161). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Orlitzki, M., Schmidt, F. L., & Rynes, S. L. (2003). Corporate social and financial performance: A meta-analysis. Organisational Studies,24(3), 403–441.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Osterwalder, A., & Pigneur, Y. (2010). Business model generation (1st ed.). Hoboken, NJ: Wiley.

    Google Scholar 

  • Osuji, O. (2011). Fluidity of regulation-CSR nexus: The multinational corporate corruption example. Journal of Business Ethics,103, 31–57.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Philipsen, G. (1987). The prospects for cultural communication. In L. Kincaid (Ed.), Communication theory: Eastern and western perspectives (pp. 245–254). San Diego: Academic Press.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Pondeville, S., Swae, V., & De Rongé, Y. (2013). Environmental management control systems: The role of contextual and strategic factors. Management Accounting Research,24, 317–332.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Polonsky, M., & Wood, G. (2001). Can the overcommercialization of cause-related marketing harm society. Journal of Macromarketing,21(8), 8–22.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Porter, M., & Kramer, M. (2006). Strategy and society: The link between competitive advantage and corporate social responsibility. Harvard Business Review,84(12), 78–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • Reidenbach, R. E., & Robin, D. P. (1993). Toward the development of a multidimensional scale for improving evaluations of business ethics. Journal of Business Ethics,9(8), 639–653.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Richter, U. (2010). Liberal thought in reasoning on CSR. Journal of Business Ethics,97, 625–649.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenthal, U., & Koumin, A. (1993). Globalizing an agenda for contingencies and crisis management: An editorial statement. Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management,1(1), 1–12.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Roux-Dufort, C. (2003). Gérer et décider en situation de crise. Paris: Dunod.

    Google Scholar 

  • RTS. (2015, November 17). Mettez du bois dans votre chaudière. http://www.rts.ch/emissions/ttc/934592-mettez-du-bois-dans-votre-chaudiere.html. Accessed 11 January 2016.

  • Russo, A., & Perrini, F. (2010). Investigating stakeholder theory and social capital: CSR in large firms and SMEs. Journal of Business Ethics,91(2), 207–221.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Samuel, O., Schilling, A., & Wehner, T. (2012). Corporate Volunteering aus der Perspektive schweizerischer NPO. In T. Wehner & G. C. Gentile (Eds.), Corporate volunteering. uniscope: Publikationen der SGO Stiftung (pp. 101–114). Wiesbaden: Gabler Verlag Springer Fachmedien, Wiesbaden.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sartre, V. (2003). La communication de crise: anticiper et communiquer en situation de crise. Paris: Editions Demos.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scheuchzer. (2015). Aujourd’hui.http://www.scheuchzer.ch/web/guest/aujourd-hui.

  • Schultz, F. (2013). Corporate social responsibility, reputation, and moral communication: A constructivist view. In C. E. Carroll (Ed.), The handbook of communication and corporate reputation (1st ed., pp. 362–375). Hoboken: Wiley.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Schur, L., Kruse, D., & Blanck, P. (2005). Corporate culture and the employment of people with disabilities. Behavioral Science and the Law,23(1), 3–20.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwalbach, J., & Klink, D. (2012). Der Ehrbare Kaufmann als individuelle Verantwortungskategorie der CSR Forschung. In A. Schneider & R. Schmidpeter (Eds.), Corporate social responsibility (pp. 219–240). Berlin Heidelberg: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • SECO State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. (2005). The strategic focus of Swiss foreign economic policy.http://www.seco.admin.ch/dokumentation/publikation/00008/00023/01742/index.html?lang=deanddownload=NHzLpZeg7t,lnp6I0NTU042l2Z6ln1acy4Zn4Z2qZpnO2Yuq2Z6gpJCDdYN2gmym162epYbg2c_JjKbNoKSn6A. Accessed 3 September 2015.

  • SECO State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. (2011, February 2). Ambitionen sind gut, Fokussierung ist besser.http://www.kmu.admin.ch/aktuell/00524/02098/02122/index.html?lang=de. Accessed 31 August 2013.

  • SECO State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. (2012a). KMU-portal: KMU-Themen. http://www.kmu.admin.ch/themen/index.html?lang=de. Accessed 3 September 2013.

  • SECO State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. (2012b). KMU-portal: Normierung. http://www.kmu.admin.ch/themen/01897/01898/index.html?lang=de. Accessed 3 September 2013.

  • SECO State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. (2012c). KMU-portal: Zertifizierungen.http://www.kmu.admin.ch/themen/01897/01899/index.html?lang=de. Accessed 3 September 2013.

  • SECO State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. (2012d). KMU-portal: Nachhaltige Entwicklung.http://www.kmu.admin.ch/themen/02584/index.html?lang=de. Accessed 3 September 2013.

  • SECO State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. (2012e). KMU-portal: Perspektiven der KMU-Politik. http://www.kmu.admin.ch/politik/00152/00768/index.html?lang=de. Accessed 3 September 2013.

  • SECO State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. (2012f). CSR-Konzept des SECO.http://www.seco.admin.ch/themen/00645/04008/index.html?lang=deanddownload=NHzLpZeg7t,lnp6I0NTU042l2Z6ln1acy4Zn4Z2qZpnO2Yuq2Z6gpJCFeXt3gGym162epYbg2c_JjKbNoKSn6A. Accessed 3 September 2013.

  • SECO State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. (2012g). Annual report 2010/2011 on activities of the swiss national contact point for the oecd guidelines for multinational enterprises. http://www.seco.admin.ch/themen/00513/00527/02584/02586/index.html?lang=enanddownload=NHzLpZeg7t,lnp6I0NTU042l2Z6ln1ad1IZn4Z2qZpnO2Yuq2Z6gpJCFfH1,g2ym162epYbg2c_JjKbNoKSn6A. Accessed 3 September 2013.

  • SECO State Secretariat for Economic Affairs. (2012h). Allgemeinverbindlich erklärte Gesamtarbeitsverträge.http://www.seco.admin.ch/themen/00385/00420/00430/index.html. Accessed 3 September 2013.

  • Spence, L. J., Schmidpeter, R., & Habisch, A. (2003). Assessing social capital: Small and medium sized enterprises in Germany and UK. Journal of Business Ethics,47, 17–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • SRF Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen. (2013, May 28). Schweizer KMUs – Rückgrat der Wirtschaft.http://www.srf.ch/news/infografik/schweizer-kmu-rueckgrat-der-wirtschaft. Accessed 10 August 2015.

  • Teece, D. J. (2007). Explicating dynamic capabilities: The nature and micro foundations of (sustainable) enterprise performance. Strategic Management Journal,28, 1319–1350.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Telle, K. (2006). “It pays to be green”—A premature conclusion? Environmental & Resource Economics, 35, 195–220.

    Google Scholar 

  • tel.search.ch. (2015). search.ch. tel.search.ch. Accessed many times between 1 July 2015–23 January 2016.

    Google Scholar 

  • Timmers, P. (1998). Business models for electronic markets. Journal of Electronic Markets,8(2), 3–8.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Travail Suisse. (2015). 6 conséquences importantes de la hausse du franc suisse par rapport à l’euro.http://www.travailler-en-suisse.ch/hausse-chf-eur.html. Accessed 11 January 2016.

  • Van Marrewijk, M. (2003). Concepts and definitions of CSR and corporate sustainability: Between agency and communion. Journal of Business Ethics,44(2), 95–105.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vveinhardt, J., & Zygmantaite, R. (2015). Impact of social context on strategic philantropy: Theoretical insight. Procedia: Social and Behavioral Sciences, 214, 1165–1173.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wagner, M. (2005). How to reconcile environmental and economic performance to improve corporate sustainability: Corporate environmental strategies in the European paper industry. Journal of Environmental Management,79, 105–118.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wagner, M., Schaltegger, S., & Wehrmeyer, W. (2001). The relationship between the environmental and economic performance of firms—What does theory propose and what does empirical evidence tell us? Greener Management International, 34, 95–108.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wang, L., & Juslin, H. (2009). The impact of Chinese culture on corporate social responsibility: The harmony approach. Journal of Business Ethics,88, 433–541.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wartick, S. L., & Cochran, P. L. (1985). The evolution of the corporate social performance model. Academy of Management Review,10(4), 758–769.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Westphalen, M. H. (1992). Le Dicom. Paris: Triangle Edition.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zadek, S. (2004). The path to corporate social responsibility. Harvard Business Review,16(2), 211–232.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zefix. (2014). Central Business Names Index.http://zefix.admin.ch/. Accessed 5 February 2015, 14 February 2015, 28 February 2015, 15 March 2015, 10 April 2015, 15 April 2015, 22 April 2015, 23 April 2015.

  • Zeyen, A., Beckmann, M., & Wolters, S. (2014). Actors and institutional dynamics in the development of multi-stakeholder initiatives. Journal of Business Ethics, 135(2), 341–360.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zheng, Q., Luo, Y., & Maksimov, V. (2014). Achieving legitimacy through corporate social responsibility: The case of emerging economic firms. Journal of World Business, 50(3), 389–403.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zott, C., & Amit, R. (2010). Business model design: An activity system perspective. Long Range Planning,43(2–3), 216–226.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zott, C., Amit, R., & Massa, L. (2011). The business model: Recent developments and future research. Journal of Management,37(4), 1019–1042.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Surrey, Guildford, UK

    Stéphanie Looser & Walter Wehrmeyer

  2. Business School Lausanne, Chavannes, Switzerland

    Philip Evans Clark

Authors
  1. Stéphanie Looser
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Philip Evans Clark
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Walter Wehrmeyer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stéphanie Looser .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Environment and Sustainability, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, UK

    Walter Wehrmeyer

  2. University of Surrey, Guildford, UK

    Stéphanie Looser

  3. Department of Economics, Society and Politics, University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Urbino, Italy

    Mara Del Baldo

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 The Author(s)

About this chapter

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Looser, S., Clark, P.E., Wehrmeyer, W. (2020). Company Case Study 1: To (Crafts)Man Up—How Swiss SMEs Cope with CSR in Harsh Times. In: Wehrmeyer, W., Looser, S., Del Baldo, M. (eds) Intrinsic CSR and Competition. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-21037-3_3

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation