Unpacking CSR in women-owned SMEs: Innovation and competitive advantage as pathways to performance

This research examines the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on innovation (IN) and business performance (BP), emphasizing the mediating effects of innovation and competitive advantage (CA). Additionally, it investigates how innovation orientation (IO) directly influences IN and moder...

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Main Authors: Dinh Thi Huong, Loan Nguyen, Trang Tran, Nguyen Thi Minh Nhan, Nhung Nguyen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Research and Development Academy 2025-07-01
Series:Heritage and Sustainable Development
Online Access:https://hsd.ardascience.com/index.php/journal/article/view/1112
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author Dinh Thi Huong
Loan Nguyen
Trang Tran
Nguyen Thi Minh Nhan
Nhung Nguyen
author_facet Dinh Thi Huong
Loan Nguyen
Trang Tran
Nguyen Thi Minh Nhan
Nhung Nguyen
author_sort Dinh Thi Huong
collection DOAJ
description This research examines the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on innovation (IN) and business performance (BP), emphasizing the mediating effects of innovation and competitive advantage (CA). Additionally, it investigates how innovation orientation (IO) directly influences IN and moderates the connection between CSR directed at employees and innovation. Data was gathered from 688 managers of women-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam. The findings indicate that CSR initiatives aimed at employees, customers, suppliers, and the environment significantly boost IN within women-owned SMEs. Among these, CSR directed at customers shows the strongest impact, while environmental responsibility has the weakest. IN, in turn, significantly contributes to CA and BP. Both IN and CA mediate the link between CSR and BP. Additionally, IO not only promotes IN but also strengthens the effect of CSR toward employees on IN. These findings provide valuable insights into how CSR initiatives and IO drive performance and competitiveness in women-led SMEs in emerging markets.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2712-0554
language English
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series Heritage and Sustainable Development
spelling doaj-art-46b569da211b4e178680b808fe77ea0f2025-08-20T04:00:49ZengResearch and Development AcademyHeritage and Sustainable Development2712-05542025-07-017210.37868/hsd.v7i2.1112Unpacking CSR in women-owned SMEs: Innovation and competitive advantage as pathways to performanceDinh Thi Huong0Loan Nguyen1Trang Tran2Nguyen Thi Minh Nhan3Nhung Nguyen4Thuongmai University, VietnamThuongmai University, VietnamThuongmai University, VietnamThuongmai University, VietnamThuongmai University, Vietnam This research examines the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on innovation (IN) and business performance (BP), emphasizing the mediating effects of innovation and competitive advantage (CA). Additionally, it investigates how innovation orientation (IO) directly influences IN and moderates the connection between CSR directed at employees and innovation. Data was gathered from 688 managers of women-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Vietnam. The findings indicate that CSR initiatives aimed at employees, customers, suppliers, and the environment significantly boost IN within women-owned SMEs. Among these, CSR directed at customers shows the strongest impact, while environmental responsibility has the weakest. IN, in turn, significantly contributes to CA and BP. Both IN and CA mediate the link between CSR and BP. Additionally, IO not only promotes IN but also strengthens the effect of CSR toward employees on IN. These findings provide valuable insights into how CSR initiatives and IO drive performance and competitiveness in women-led SMEs in emerging markets. https://hsd.ardascience.com/index.php/journal/article/view/1112
spellingShingle Dinh Thi Huong
Loan Nguyen
Trang Tran
Nguyen Thi Minh Nhan
Nhung Nguyen
Unpacking CSR in women-owned SMEs: Innovation and competitive advantage as pathways to performance
Heritage and Sustainable Development
title Unpacking CSR in women-owned SMEs: Innovation and competitive advantage as pathways to performance
title_full Unpacking CSR in women-owned SMEs: Innovation and competitive advantage as pathways to performance
title_fullStr Unpacking CSR in women-owned SMEs: Innovation and competitive advantage as pathways to performance
title_full_unstemmed Unpacking CSR in women-owned SMEs: Innovation and competitive advantage as pathways to performance
title_short Unpacking CSR in women-owned SMEs: Innovation and competitive advantage as pathways to performance
title_sort unpacking csr in women owned smes innovation and competitive advantage as pathways to performance
url https://hsd.ardascience.com/index.php/journal/article/view/1112
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AT nguyenthiminhnhan unpackingcsrinwomenownedsmesinnovationandcompetitiveadvantageaspathwaystoperformance
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