Assumptions of Corporate Social Responsibility as Competitiveness Factor

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the assumptions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) as competitiveness factor in economic downturn. Findings indicate that factors affecting the quality of the micro-economic business environment, i.e., the sophistication of enterprise’s strategy and management processes, the quality of the human capital resources, the increase of product / service demand, the development of related and supporting sectors and the efficiency of natural resources, and competitive capacities of enterprise impact competitiveness at a micro-level. The outcomes suggest that the implementation of CSR elements, i.e., economic, environmental and social responsibilities, gives good opportunities to increase business competitiveness.

Keywords

• corporate social responsibility
• competitiveness
• economic downturn
• enterprise.