Responsible entrepreneurship - a way of increasing SMEs’ competitiveness during economic crisis

Closed

According to EC a definition of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is: "A concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interaction with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis". Presented bilateral project proposal is devoted to spreading this management concept among SB SMEs in order to ensure fruitful business cooperation between companies from old and new EU countries even though their consciousness and operational level differ. These differences become crucial in context of SMEs cooperation, especially within international supply chains. Project proposal focuses on bilateral Polish-Swedish cooperation due to existing strong business linkages and export markets (Sweden is a 3rd biggest export market from Pomerania, exports: 2,9 billion EUR, imports: 3,5 billion EUR). Most of Swedish companies to ensure their competitiveness on the market already adopted CSR concept into their management standards and this is what they look for (what became a must) while searching for new suppliers and cooperants. Such kind of supply chain which integrates CSR concept is named Responsible Supply Chain (RSC). That means for SMEs which want to keep or increase their share on the market by cooperating within Responsible Supply Chain managed by the biggest corporations on the market (Scania, IKEA, ABB) the need to meet their expectations. Therefore the main aim of the project is to intensify cross-border relations between Swedish and Polish companies by introducing CSR concept to SMEs. During the project a study of implementation level of CSR in Polish and Swedish SMEs is planned in order to determine the differences between partner regions (PR) in this field (C3). The expertise will allow to identify the needs of examined SMEs and to design suitable training programme which further can be adopted in other SB regions (C4). Training programme will be tested by pilot scale implemenation in PR (workshops for SMEs in C4). Already observed differences in CSR implementation in PR require different approach to Polish and Swedish SMEs which are depicted in C5 content. Swedish SMEs are more aware of CSR advantages but still need to improve their skills in strategic planning of CSR implementation – guidelines, checklists, activity plans & Diplomas will be of help in that process whereas Polish SMEs will be provided with instructions how to start integrating CSR into their management systems. Project activities will result in establishing new cross-border relations between SMEs and in preparation of pilot group of SMEs to cooperation within RSC. Project results, although based on Polish-Swedish business operations will be transferable to other regions in SB area. As a result of project partners’ cooperation a long-lasting network supporting implementation of CSR in SMEs will be build, ensuring duration of project results.

Medium