Abstract
This paper consolidates recent literature on the background to the formation of cross-sectoral social partnerships, highlighting developments across various disciplines for organizational researchers. It explores the literature on the stages of collaboration and the motivational factors for SMEs engaging in corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a first step in the ‘Collaboration Spectrum’, moving from initial CSR motivations to the formation of goal-focused cross sector social partnerships, in order to understand why and how SME businesses and local non-profit organizations come together to address social issues using a Theory of Change approach.
The study employs a systematic literature review (SLR) to address the research aims, as well as primary research to be conducted using mixed research methods, including focus groups and a survey. Initial findings show that there is still lack of empirical research/studies that have addressed the formation of cross-sectoral partnership, and what are the motivational factors for SMEs to enter into more collaborative partnerships with charities. Whilst the benefits are well-established, these do not yet translate into motives and drivers of SME engagement.