The Determinants of CSR in Algerian SMEs: an Empirical and Exploratory Study

Abstract

Recently, there has been a questioning of "classic" management in Algerian companies accompanied with international competition. Currently, as much as the Algerian government has become increasingly interested to SMEs, it has also interested to corporate social responsibility (CSR). However, the most of Algerian SMEs have a lack in social and environmental commitment. In fact, the structures of these SMEs often do not allow them to respond effectively to social and environmental problems they face. The objective through this study is to determine the concept of CSR in Algerian SMEs. The question that guides this research is to know how SMEs’ managers perceive the concept of CSR. And the main hypothesis of this research is: "knowing the perception of the concept of CSR which allows leaders to better conduct any program of mainstreaming CSR into the business." For that this research depends on a quantitative analysis through a survey conducted with 86 Algerian SMEs from January 2012 to May 2012. The obtained results have helped to determine and develop CSR concept, as well as these results have allowed proposing a scheme of analysis to improve social and environmental commitment in Algerian SMEs. Hence, the action of Algerian SMEs in favor of socio-environmental commitment is primarily motivated by mainly regulatory issues.