Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Business Performance: A Systematic Review of Evidence from Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70142/jbs.v1i2.124Keywords:
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Sustainable Business Performance, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), Systematic Literature Review, Sustainability StrategyAbstract
This study presents a qualitative systematic literature review examining the relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Sustainable Business Performance (SBP) in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs). Drawing on peer-reviewed empirical and conceptual studies, the review synthesizes evidence on how CSR practices influence economic, environmental, and social performance outcomes. The findings indicate that CSR contributes positively to SMEs’ competitiveness, operational efficiency, stakeholder trust, and long-term sustainability. However, the effectiveness of CSR initiatives varies depending on contextual factors such as resource availability, managerial commitment, and industry characteristics. The review also highlights the prevalence of informal CSR practices in SMEs and the lack of standardized measurement frameworks. Overall, CSR emerges as a strategic driver of sustainable development in SMEs, although further research is needed to address methodological inconsistencies and contextual diversity.
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