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The Role of CSR in Sustainable Swedish Startups - Beyond Sustainability as an Exclusive Selling Poin

Beyer, Julia LU and Rostirolla, Francisco LU (2018) BUSN39 20181
Department of Business Administration
Abstract
Research Problem: Existent literature has predominantly focused on applying the concept of CSR on large corporations, disregarding the role of CSR in startups despite the fact that CSR related aspects especially in relation to sustainability provide a fruitful avenue for new ventures to base their competitive advantage on. Investigation of the link between CSR and startups is needed since emerging firms face different challenges in regard to CSR than established companies, mostly related to their constrained resources.
Research Aims: This research aims to shed light on the role of CSR for sustainable Swedish startups. In particular, we aim to provide a deeper understanding of possible communication, market and stakeholder management... (More)
Research Problem: Existent literature has predominantly focused on applying the concept of CSR on large corporations, disregarding the role of CSR in startups despite the fact that CSR related aspects especially in relation to sustainability provide a fruitful avenue for new ventures to base their competitive advantage on. Investigation of the link between CSR and startups is needed since emerging firms face different challenges in regard to CSR than established companies, mostly related to their constrained resources.
Research Aims: This research aims to shed light on the role of CSR for sustainable Swedish startups. In particular, we aim to provide a deeper understanding of possible communication, market and stakeholder management strategies these companies make use of.
Method: ​We deploy a qualitative case study approach, comparing the strategies deployed by four Swedish startups who derive the competitive advantage from offering innovative and environmentally-friendly product solutions. Results​Based on our analysis of the case studies, we arrive at four conclusions related to the non-exclusivity of sustainability as the exclusive selling point, the consequent association of the sustainability argument with accompanying selling points, the use of third-party endorsement as a source of legitimacy as well as the trade-off between sustainability and profitability.
Implications: ​Our results provide theoretical contributions regarding the role of CSR in sustainable startups which fundamentally differs from the way it is being implemented in established corporations. Practical implications include insights into how managers of sustainable startups can strategically implement sustainability as a selling point by integrating it with related selling points. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Beyer, Julia LU and Rostirolla, Francisco LU
supervisor
organization
course
BUSN39 20181
year
type
H1 - Master's Degree (One Year)
subject
keywords
CSR, Sustainability, Startups, CSR communication, Corporate responsibility, Entrepreneurship, Strategic Management
language
English
id
8953469
date added to LUP
2018-07-13 16:17:23
date last changed
2018-07-13 16:17:23
@misc{8953469,
  abstract     = {{Research Problem: Existent literature has predominantly focused on applying the concept of CSR on large corporations, disregarding the role of CSR in startups despite the fact that CSR related aspects especially in relation to sustainability provide a fruitful avenue for new ventures to base their competitive advantage on. Investigation of the link between CSR and startups is needed since emerging firms face different challenges in regard to CSR than established companies, mostly related to their constrained resources. 
Research Aims: This research aims to shed light on the role of CSR for sustainable Swedish startups. In particular, we aim to provide a deeper understanding of possible communication, market and stakeholder management strategies these companies make use of. 
Method: ​We deploy a qualitative case study approach, comparing the strategies deployed by four Swedish startups who derive the competitive advantage from offering innovative and environmentally-friendly product solutions. Results​Based on our analysis of the case studies, we arrive at four conclusions related to the non-exclusivity of sustainability as the exclusive selling point, the consequent association of the sustainability argument with accompanying selling points, the use of third-party endorsement as a source of legitimacy as well as the trade-off between sustainability and profitability. 
Implications: ​Our results provide theoretical contributions regarding the role of CSR in sustainable startups which fundamentally differs from the way it is being implemented in established corporations. Practical implications include insights into how managers of sustainable startups can strategically implement sustainability as a selling point by integrating it with related selling points.}},
  author       = {{Beyer, Julia and Rostirolla, Francisco}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{The Role of CSR in Sustainable Swedish Startups - Beyond Sustainability as an Exclusive Selling Poin}},
  year         = {{2018}},
}