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Corporate Social Responsibility and Family Business in Spain

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Abstract

Despite the economic relevance and distinctiveness of family firms, little attention has been devoted to researching their nature and functioning. Traditionally, family firms have been associated both to positive and negative features in their relationships with the stakeholders. This can be linked to different orientations toward corporate social responsibility. Thus, this research aims to identify the approaches that Spanish family firms maintain about social responsibility, based on the model developed by Quazi and O’ Brien Journal of Business Ethics 25, 33–51 (2000). An empirical study carried out for 112 Spanish family firms gives support to our initial assumption about these organizations not being a homogeneous group in terms of their orientation towards corporate social responsibility. The differences in perceptions do not seem to be associated to biographical characteristics. These results lead to some relevant academic and practical implications that suggest interesting lines for future research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Edificio Departamental de CCEE y EE. Módulo C, Campus Universitario de Tafira, 35017, Tafira Baja. Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain

    María de la Cruz Déniz Déniz & Ma Katiuska Cabrera Suárez

Authors
  1. María de la Cruz Déniz Déniz
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  2. Ma Katiuska Cabrera Suárez
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Correspondence to María de la Cruz Déniz Déniz.

Additional information

María de la Cruz Déniz Déniz is professor in the Department of Management at Las Palmas de Gran Canaria University (Spain). She received her Ph.D. in the area of Management from that University in 1999. Her current research interests include the study of Corporate Social Performance and the Management of International Business.

Ma Katiuska Cabrera Suárez is professor in the Department of Management at Las Palmas de Gran Canaria University (Spain). She received her Ph.D. in the area of Management from that University in 1998. Her current research interests include the study of Family Business Behaviour and Management.

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Déniz, M.d.l.C.D., Suárez, M.K.C. Corporate Social Responsibility and Family Business in Spain. J Bus Ethics 56, 27–41 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-004-3237-3

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