Communities: shapers or contexts for social responsibility of small andmedium enterprises?

Purpose This study aims to investigate the dual role of communities as both shapers and context for the social responsibility (SR) practices of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), with a particular focus on the Romanian context. The research objectives aimed to explore: how owner managers define SR and the community; if community is mostly viewed as a shaper or context for SR, and how the definitions of SR and community shape the type of SR actions? Design/methodology/approach Through qualitative interviews with SME owner-managers, this research explores their perceptions of community, their comprehension of SR and their social engagement’s nature. Findings The findings highlight a significant diversity in how communities are conceptualized, ranging from broad, generalized notions to more specific, stakeholder-oriented perspectives. Owner-managers with a broad definition often engage continuously and personally in social initiatives, while those with a stakeholder focus run targeted but intermittent CSR activities. Personal values, resource constraints and local challenges drive predominantly informal, spontaneous CSR tailored to community needs, rather than formalized programs. By emphasizing the interaction between managerial values, community relationships and CSR, this research contributes to a more nuanced understanding of CSR in SMEs. Practical implications The findings indicates that, embedding simple stakeholder-mapping tools and narrative frameworks can help Romanian SMEs convert these informal, values-driven actions into structured, strategic practices aligned with business objectives and resilient to institutional barriers. Originality/value The paper delivers valuable insights on the impact owner-manager values and perceptions of community shape the SR actions undertaken by their companies.