Study of the differences in the perception of the use of the principles of corporate social responsibility in micro, small and medium-sized enterprises in the V4 countries

Abstract

The aim of the study was to examine the differences in the perception of the use of selected principles by CSR managers and owners of Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises ( MSMEs) in the V4 countries. The results of our research show that CSR strategies are most used by entrepreneurs and managers of MSMEs in Hungary, Poland and Slovakia. They are the least used in the Czech Republic. The sectoral comparison within the V4 countries highlighted interesting findings. When considering the moral and ethical implications of decision-making, no significant differences were found between the sectors. Differences were found in the perception of the CSR concept and its use in business. The CSR concept was mostly used in tourism and agriculture, to a lesser extent in construction, retail, manufacturing and services. Managers and entrepreneurs understand the link between CSR and gaining reputation and business opportunities and that CSR helps build a competitive advantage. The size of the company affects whether the company can be classified as CSR-oriented. Compared to medium-sized enterprises, micro- enterprises are 45% less likely and small enterprises are 33.5% less likely to be perceived as CSR-oriented. Compared to companies from Slovakia, companies in the Czech Republic are 41% less likely to be perceived as CSR-oriented. Hungarian companies are 70% more likely to be perceived as CSR-oriented compared to companies from Slovakia. Companies run by women are more inclined to apply CSR principles than men.