Is CSR only applicable to large construction companies and incompatible with very small businesses, even though they make up the bulk of the sector's economic fabric? This question was explored in a recent study by the Observatoire des métiers du BTP. The results show that 79% of respondents consider CSR or sustainable development to be partially or totally beneficial. But 67% do not consider their future implementation to be relevant.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) This term seems to be gaining ground in the construction and public works sectors, which are, among other things, focused on ecological transformation. This is especially true for large structures, whether construction majors or industrial groups.
What about small and medium-sized companies in this sector? The Observatoire des métiers du BTP has found that this approach is still in its infancy among VSEs (which account for 65.5%).
CSR is hampered by lack of time and complexity.
The majority of companies surveyed, of all sizes, consider CSR or sustainable development to be beneficial: 79%. However, 67% of respondents do not believe that such an approach will be implemented in the future.
We note that 75% of obstacles are due to lack of time. The report points out that VSEs and SMEs tend to focus on operations and give too much importance to administrators. This can lead to a lack of ability to step back and re-orientate practices or highlight what is being done. We note, however, that this obstacle is not universally cited by all companies.
Only 2 companies out of 716 (0.3%) have not yet launched a CSR strategy, while 84% are committed "without formalization". This means that these companies are acting on their priorities, but are not formalizing a report or progress plan. Nor do they communicate in writing. Only 15.7% of companies are committed to a formal, proactive approach.
