Corporate social responsibility as a significant factor of competitive advantage - a case study of energy companies in Poland

Abstract

Adapting enterprises to a rapidly changing world pursuing the goal of sustainable development is accomplished through a strategic approach to corporate social responsibility (CSR). Due to its holistic nature, this concept can permeate business activities at every level of the supply chain, allowing for the perception of the company’s opportunities in various areas. This article presents an assessment of CSR indicators that impact the competitive advantage (CA) of companies in the energy sector. The analysis was based on data collected from 392 surveys conducted with management representatives of the power sector in Poland. The scientific resources and standardisation documents on the intersection of CA and CSR were analysed. This enabled the selection of key indicators within three CSR areas: social, economic, and environmental. This case study provides meaningful insights into the most important aspects of CSR implementation. The findings indicate that the social dimension of CSR has the largest impact on CA, particularly offering products and services of the highest quality, which was considered the most crucial indicator among those analysed. Among the remaining social groups, the education of participants throughout the supply chain and relationships with suppliers were also important. The environmental aspect, in particular energy security, also has a significant effect on the CA of energy companies. Furthermore, economic indicators had the most negligible impact on CA. The resulting hierarchy of selected indicators is a guide to achieving CA and understanding how the energy sector perceives CSR.

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