Social responsibility of fish processing companies located in Portugal and Spain

Purpose - The present paper is part of an extensive research project conducted in various fish processing companies located in the Iberian Peninsula and its purpose is to study corporate social responsibility (CSR) relating to: management's perception of the CSR concept; current practice analysis of the companies studied; and proposal formulation for a company's CSR implementation plan. Design/methodology/approach - The study, done during June through October of 2009, utilized a qualitative method. The data were acquired through questionnaires, industry visits, interviews and management manuals. Findings - The results indicate a strong inclination toward a management of quality control, food security and environment with lower priority given to social responsibility. The results also suggest that the CSR concept is not fully understood among the companies studied. Research limitations/implications - The study was conducted at five fish processing companies. Caution is required in generalizing these results to other fish companies located in other countries. Practical implications - In view of the positive results in the areas of economic (quality control and food safety) and environmental management the next step would be to become socially responsible by developing its social resources (work safety, health, and a polity of human rights). Originality/value - The study provides an analysis of fish processing companies that have already implemented an integrated management system which includes a well defined and ample concept of CSR. This type of study has not been done before to the best knowledge of the authors.