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7. The Role of Government in Corporate Social Responsibility Among Smes in Wales

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The Department for the Economy and Transport (DE&T) at the Welsh Assembly Government (WAG) has taken on leadership of the corporate social responsibiity (CSR) policy agenda in Wales. The key aim of DE&T is to establish a clear, focused and accessible policy on CSR that is relevant and appropriate to the economy and people of Wales. This paper reports on four key research objectives of a study undertaken to inform CSR-related policy in Wales, with particular reference to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The paper sets out to make a contribution not only to policy and practice in this field but to the building of theory. Research into CSR among SMEs is growing, but still under represented in relation to work on larger firms. In addition, research on the role of governments in this agenda is scarce.

This qualitative study of 114 SMEs in Wales shows that there is a large variety of CSR undertaken, and that, although awareness is high, there is an appetite for 'light touch' government intervention. The contribution of this paper to theoretical development is evaluated and tentative recommendations for policy development are set out.

Document Type: Research Article

Publication date: 01 December 2011

More about this publication?
  • Contemporary Wales is at the forefront of research into economic, political and social sciences relating to Wales. It contains both academic and practitioner-based articles, annual economic and legal reviews, and book reviews. Its interdisciplinary content drawing on current research on Wales makes the journal essential reading for students and researchers across a range of subject areas, including political and social policy, history, law, media and languages. Contemporary Wales has published articles in English and in Welsh.

    Mae Contemporary Wales wedi’i gyhoeddi’n gan Wasg Prifysgol Cymru fel llwyfan ar gyfer ymchwil blaengar ar Gymru o safbwynt y gwyddorau economaidd, gwleidyddol a chymdeithasol. Mae'n cynnwys cyfuniad o erthyglau gan academyddion ac ymarferwyr, adolygiadau economaidd a chyfreithiol blynyddol, ac adolygiadau o gyhoeddiadau yn y maes. Mae natur rhyngddisgyblaethol y cynnwys sy'n seliedig ar yr ymchwil diweddaraf yn golygu bod y cyfnodolyn yn hanfodol i wleidyddion, gwneuthurwyr polisi, y cyfryngau, gwasanaethau cyhoeddus, llywodraeth leol yn ogystal â fyfyrwyr ac ymchwilwyr mewn ystod eang o feysydd gan gynnwys polisi gwleidyddol a chymdeithasol, hanes, y gyfraith, y cyfryngau a ieithoedd. Mae Contemporary Wales wedi cyhoeddi erthyglau yn y Gymraeg a’r Saesneg.

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