How do organizations contribute to social cohesion of local communities: developing an organizational strategy
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2025-07-01
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en
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Abstract
Organizations are increasingly expected to go beyond profit maximization and contribute to
society, including local communities. While the importance of organizational contributions is
acknowledged, limited research explains how organizations strategically integrate
contributions to social cohesion in local communities. Drawing on a qualitative approach, this
study introduced a novel four-dimensional framework comprising economic contributions,
community learning and development, social contributions and trust-building, and
contributions to community quality of life. The relevant data was collected through semistructured
interviews with managers of organizations varying in size, sector, and geographic
location, as well as with community members in the corresponding locations. Additionally,
company reports and archival materials were analyzed for triangulation. The findings showed
that while strategic approaches to social cohesion are largely consistent across organizations,
community members reported feeling a stronger connection and greater trust toward locally
oriented companies. The provided framework contributes to the academic literature by
offering a structured model on how to include community contributions into the corporate
strategy. Additionally, the framework offers practical guidance for managers aiming to
strengthen local trust and social cohesion. Future research could expand on these findings by
assessing how such strategies evolve over time and across contexts.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen