Motivation behind CSR activities of German Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

This thesis aims to provide a better understanding of the motivation behind CSR activities of small and medium-sized enterprises in Germany. Relevant knowledge of the three main elements of the research question (CSR, SMEs, and motivation) is introduced in the theoretical part by means of an unsystematic literature review. In the empirical part the topic was approached inductively from a practical perspective. Three case studies were presented based on interviews with owner-managers of German SMEs. The final conclusions were derived from a comparison of the case studies, existing quantitative studies and motivation theories. The owner-managers were the main drivers of CSR in their enterprises and ethically motivated. Hypotheses for further research were suggested and recommendations for public policy were developed.