Assessing the Impact of <scp>CSR</scp> on <scp>SMEs</scp> Sustainable Performance: The Moderating Effects of Gender Diversity and Social Capital

ABSTRACT This research is a pioneering novelty to fill the missing research gap by addressing the moderating effect of gender diversity and social capital on the relation between corporate social responsibility and SMEs' performance in Bangladesh. The novelty lies in the integration of ESG principles and sustainability practices in SMEs of Bangladesh and the unique examination of both social capital and gender diversity as moderators. The novelty of the study is also the sustainability frameworks of Environmental, Social, and Governance ( ESG ) principles which are used as sustainability practices. Two hundred and fifty people were chosen to participate in the survey using a random sample technique. A response rate of 78.8% was achieved from the 250 surveys that were sent. A grand total of 197 surveys were sent back by the respondents. According to the regression results, there is a favorable and statistically significant correlation between CSR and the sustainability of SMEs . However, social capital does not moderate the link between corporate social responsibility and the performance of small and medium‐sized enterprises ( SMEs ), while the findings show that gender diversity moderates it considerably. This study hereby emphasized the critical role of corporate social responsibility and gender diversity on Environmental, Social, and Governance ( ESG ) integration on the sustainability performance of SMEs .