Abstract
There is a relative paucity of studies on the managerial challenges encountered by firms when achieving corporate social responsibility. The present work seeks to fill this void by mobilizing literature on Corporate Social Responsiveness (CSR) and exploring propositions that help explain the organizational changes brought about by the application of CSR. Cooperation strategy seems to be a solution for firms to overcome their managerial challenges. According to the literature, cooperation strategies constitute a "mean" to obtain resources, skills and to develop dynamic capabilities. Hence, the aim of this research is to study strategies of cooperation as a response to the managerial challenges given by the stakes of sustainable development. This is done by analyzing theme-based corporate associations, using a resource-based view. The exploratory nature of the study entails a qualitative methodology which prioritizes the description of an ongoing phenomena and processes. The present work develops in two research stages: First an exploratory phase and subsequently an in-depth case study. The exploratory phase was based on the analysis of seventeen theme-based associations identified throughout France. This initial work allowed identifying a variety of cooperation strategies, which was used to define a typology of theme-based associations. Hereafter distinctive profiles within this typology were drawn and based on: The particular representations of "sustainable development" hold by the members of these associations and on the role assumed by each firm within it. In addition, the in-depth case study allowed us to explore the mechanisms of coordination within these associations, the different motivations for firms to take part in these particular forms and the nature of the collective response. The findings show a wide range of views on "sustainable development" which will determine the needs of any given firm in terms of resources and skills. In addition, the results show that in this particular context, the management of cooperative corporate strategies proves to be a complex and challenging process. As the sustainable development principle, around which these corporative associations are formed, may reveal conflictive values and personal beliefs. The present work contributes with a detailed analysis on the resources and skills required for firms when operationalizing their social responsibility. The results are subsequently discussed in light of existing literature.