| Corporate social responsibility programs have become an integral part of large and multi-national companies. This has been in response to two issues: unethical business practices and the growing concern of stakeholders in companies' services, products, and activities. There has been an absence of corporate social responsibility programs in medium-sized enterprises, particularly in the United States. Many executives in U.S. medium-sized enterprises find it unnecessary to initiate programs of this type. This study focused on the types of corporate social responsibility programs that exist in medium-sized enterprises and the impact executives believe corporate social responsibility programs have on their companies. The purpose of the study was to identify the reasons why medium-sized enterprises lack corporate social responsibility programs. The study used interviews of executives of medium-sized enterprises in Northeast Ohio. The literature review presents the history of corporate social responsibility programs and the theoretical concept, stakeholder theory, which has allowed these type of programs to develop into their present state along with the advantages and benefits of the programs. The study is significant because the lack of a corporate social responsibility program is detrimental to the success of medium-sized companies. Findings suggest companies have realized financial benefits, realized competitive advantages, and created goodwill through the implementation and maintenance of corporate social responsibility programs. |
