Jakunskienė, Eglė

The purpose is to assess the impact of corporate social responsibility activities related to employee training and qualification development costs on changes in unemployment rates in EU countries. Methodology: Research methods used in an article are analysis of scientific literature, methods of comparison and generalisation. The assessment of the impact on the unemployment rate is carried out using econometric methods - descriptive statistics, analysis of subgroup (panel) data and least squares linear regression analysis. Findings: In the area of social performance, Denmark, Sweden and Poland stand out as the countries with the highest focus on improving employee qualification. The results show that the higher unemployment rates at the EU level in the EU countries studied are due to higher inflation in previous years; higher value-added and higher weighted growth in export partners have contributed to the decline in unemployment rates; business costs of training and qualification development of employees does not have a significant impact on the change in the unemployment rate. However, it should be noted that the results of the empirical study are relevant when applying the model developed. Originality: after highlighting the theoretical approaches of socially responsible corporate activity, focused on employees and emphasizing its impact on employment and unemployment, the assessment model that allows determining the dependence of changes in the unemployment rate on control variables and indicators of socially responsible corporate activity associated with the costs of training and qualification of employees in the case of EU countries, was formed and adapted.

Being close to consumers, retail chains have a considerable influence on the formation of social responsibility in society. By applying various means of encouragement, these entities try to draw the attention of consumers to problems in the society and encourage them to contribute to socially responsible activities. The aim of this research was to evaluate whether the means of promoting social responsibility applied in the biggest retail chains of Lithuania selling alimentary products have an influence on a consumer and encourage them to contribute to the promotion of the idea of social responsibility. Analyses of scientific literature, qualitative approaches based on 482 in-depth interviews, analyses of data obtained during the survey, mathematical–statistical analyses and comparative analyses were applied in this research. This article represents the results of the obtained research and emphasizes the main factors promoting and limiting the social responsibility of consumers. It was identified that the social responsibility of consumers in the field of environmental protection is formed by information provided by business entities, company images and other people surrounding the consumer. Social responsibility in the field of charity and support was influenced by information provided by business entities and other people’s opinions. Furthermore, the article concludes with the development of models showing which elements business entities should orient towards in order to promote the social responsibility of consumers in the field of environmental protection or charity and support. The compiled model can be used by all business subjects acting in the retail trade and trying to encourage users to become involved in socially responsible activities.

Being one of the open social innovations of business entities, social responsibility is taking an important role in our society. It not only contributes to the improvement of the financial indicators of business entities, but also has a significant impact on the economic development of countries and the creation of well-being of the society members. The business contribution to environmental and social initiatives influences various economic processes and, at the same time, affects the level of poverty in countries. The purpose of this thesis is to review the concept of social responsibility and its content after the analysis of the scientific literature, and to assess the impact of social responsibility on poverty indicators after an empirical study. The assessment was performed by using the methods of analysis of the scientific literature, mathematical-statistical analysis, comparative analysis, correlation analysis, as well as by studying the presented statistical data at the level of the three Baltic States - Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. The conducted research manifested a significant impact of the business units operating in the production sector on the employed people who are at the brink of poverty, by categorizing them by sex, age, and education. The research revealed the negative impact of the business social responsibility that is directed towards the environment field on the poverty rates of older age (65+) residents, due to the installation of new equipment and technologies. Additionally, business investments mostly affect people with secondary, and lower than secondary, education. The influence of the actual pollution amount in the production sector, to ensure the financial stability of the society, was observed. The research results are significant not only to the Baltic region, but to other economies that are seeking to reduce the poverty level in the country, by integrating the business social responsibility as well.