Involvement of the micro, small and medium enterprise in the community and local development in relation to its longevit

Abstract

The consequences resulting from the involvement of enterprises in the community and local development have been described for several authors as one of the factors which could be determining in the competitiveness of enterprises; likewise, as an aspect that assist in the organizations’ sustainability and, therefore, to a long life. However, it is difficult to specify that these social responsibility practices be a common or systematic task for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and that these practices increase enterprises’ possibilities of durability or longevity, when most of these enterprises fight every day for a survival such uncertain that according to statistics will be only available for some of them. To what extent these entities are involved in their community and local development? Is there any link between these actions and their longevity? Have the older MSMEs the best practices? Could be suggested to organizations of this sector a strategy, with bigger emphasis in these tasks, with the certainty that will contribute to their sustainability? This paper presents the answer to the questions, taking the results obtained from a descriptive exploratory study with empirical evidence of a sample of enterprises from Jalisco, México as an argument. The observed variables are a part of the instrument of an international research, which compiles the sustainability practices in various parts of the world in order to create a sustainable business orientation-rate.