Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy and Sustainable Firm-Level Growth: A Conceptual Framework
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51137/wrp.ijarbm.393Keywords:
Corporate Social Responsibility, Firm-Level Resources, Resource-Based View, Small and Medium Enterprises, Sustainable GrowthAbstract
Abstract:
The study proposes a conceptual framework that integrates Penrose’s Theory of the Growth of the Firm and the Resource-Based View to examine the role of firm-level resources in shaping Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategies and driving sustainable growth, particularly within the context of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). While extant literature recognises CSR as a strategic lever for competitive advantage, limited attention has been paid to how specific organisational resources, both tangible and intangible, enable or constrain CSR adoption in resource-scarce environments such as SMEs. Addressing this gap, the study conceptualises a reciprocal relationship in which firm-level resources facilitate the selection and implementation of CSR strategies, while CSR practices, in turn, contribute to enhancing organisational capabilities. The framework categorises CSR strategies into economic, philanthropic, environmental, and ethical domains and links them with key firm-level resource dimensions such as profitability, innovation, and managerial capacity. The study offers a theoretically grounded model for future empirical validation and provides practical insights for SMEs aiming to embed CSR into their strategic growth agendas. This research contributes to the evolving discourse on sustainable enterprise development by advancing an integrative perspective that connects CSR with firm-level resource dynamics.
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