Insights into Corporate Social Responsibility Practices in Supply Chains: A Multiple Case Study of SMEs in the UK

The aim of this paper is to investigate the pressure exerted by supply chain partners, especially large-scale business customers and public authorities, on small-and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to adopt corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices. More specifically, we analyze how SME suppliers perceive and respond to supply chain pressure and then we investigate if such pressure is effective. The analysis is carried out through four case studies within SMEs in the UK. These cases are deliberately chosen to illustrate to students and CSR practitioners the potential range of different viewpoints in relation to CSR and supply chain management.