Embedded corporate social responsibility in small informal firms in Indonesia

Purpose This study aims to examine how corporate social responsibility (CSR) is practiced in small informal enterprises in Surabaya, Indonesia, and to show that CSR is embedded in local community norms rather than treated as a strategic or voluntary activity. Design/methodology/approach This study adopts a qualitative research design based on 23 in-depth interviews with owner-managers of small informal enterprises. Findings The findings reveal that CSR practices are driven by community relationships and social obligations. These practices mainly take the form of philanthropic and service-oriented behaviors that are inseparable from economic performance and ethical conduct. Environmental sustainability is given less importance, as community norms emphasize solidarity and respect over abstract ecological concerns. The results challenge conventional CSR frameworks, such as Carroll’s pyramid, by demonstrating that economic, ethical and philanthropic responsibilities are intertwined in community-embedded small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Originality/value This study contributes to SME CSR literature by highlighting the relational and culturally embedded nature of responsibility in emerging economies, offering an alternative perspective to dominant CSR models.