Drivers of support for corporate social responsibility: what matters most to Brazilian business leaders
ISSN: 1747-1117
Article publication date: 18 March 2022
Issue publication date: 26 January 2023
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the drivers prompting business leaders to support corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices in Brazil.
Design/methodology/approach
The research design selected is a qualitative exploratory multiple-case approach. Data were collected through 16 in-depth interviews with leaders of Brazilian companies.
Findings
Evidence is found that the main drivers prompting leaders to support CSR in Brazilian companies are linked to firm performance (economic opportunities and risk management) rather than ethical or external drivers (national policies and stakeholder pressure). In addition to this, the study identifies that for Brazilian business leaders, CSR practices have little to do with individual responsibility and personal fulfilment, but rather with a search for better overall effectiveness of the firm.
Originality/value
This study adds to a relevant and increasing body of literature on organisational behaviour from a societal perspective, offering an understanding of what catalyses organisations to engage in CSR practices.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the collaboration of the interviewees, who shared their valuable time and thoughts, and would like to thank Dr Kirstie O’Neill and Dr Richard Perkins for their guidance and encouragement.
Citation
Gimenes, F.S. and Souza Piao, R. (2023), "Drivers of support for corporate social responsibility: what matters most to Brazilian business leaders", Social Responsibility Journal, Vol. 19 No. 2, pp. 328-343. https://doi.org/10.1108/SRJ-03-2020-0115
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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