In the journey of developing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs, perseverance plays a pivotal role. From the early days of launching a business to the strategic CSR phase and beyond, perseverance ensures that SMEs continue to evolve, adapt, and push through obstacles, ultimately creating significant societal value.
In my recent research on CSR development in SMEs, perseverance surfaced as a consistent theme. The development of CSR programs is not a short-term effort but a process that spans several phases, requiring ongoing determination and commitment.
Phase 1, often marked by the seed of the idea, can take years before the business begins engaging with the community. It is in the second phase, during the SME CSR phase, where perseverance really starts to take shape. At this point, the business is testing, learning, and adapting its CSR programs, often without strategic clarity. The owner-founder’s dedication, despite limited resources, is key to driving the business toward meaningful engagements.
The third and fourth phases of SME CSR development, where businesses become more formalized and mission-driven, require not only perseverance but also clarity and commitment to the long- term vision. Businesses that persist through these phases are often the ones that establish lasting social impacts and become true pillars in their communities.
Perseverance in CSR, particularly in SMEs, is more than just about sticking to a plan. It is about adaptability, learning, and continuously improving as businesses navigate both internal and external challenges. For SMEs, staying the course through multiple phases of engagement helps ensure their contributions to sustainable community development.
I look forward to exploring these themes further in upcoming discussions and engaging with others who are passionate about the role of perseverance in creating sustainable change.
Dr. Memuna Williams has a BA and MA in Translation, an MBA, and DBA. Her doctoral thesis illuminates how SMEs develop social responsibility programs across four phases and 13 categories. Dr. Williams and her husband Victor have three sons. Connect with her at: www.linkedin.com/in/dr-memuna-williams-dba-8193b01
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