INFLUENCE OF INNOVATION ACTIVITIES ON CSR OF SMES IN SELECTED CEE COUNTRIES

This contribution deals with the concept of innovation and its influence on CSR. It attempts to prove by means of empirical research that SMEs that demonstrate high engagement in the area of innovations have a higher tendency to engage also in CSR. Research was conducted in SMEs in the CEE region, in Austria, Czech Republic and Slovakia (n=607). Empirical data were collected through questionnaire. Statistical evaluation of empirical data was done via Pearson' s Chi-square test and Cramer's V coefficient. This article is an addition to literature at two major levels. First, it attempts to explain how innovation and CSR are interconnected and through statistical analysis proves innovation to be one of the main CSR drivers. Second, it provides empirical data about SMEs in less researched CEE region.