The aim of this research is to provide knowledge about the cooperation possibilities between companies and NGOs (Non-Governmental Organisations). These cooperations are intended to execute mutual Social Responsible (SR) activities, which improve a company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and reduce the socio-economic problems in developing countries.
Availability of knowledge on the cooperation possibilities, their (organisation) characteristics and their success factors reduce the uncertainty and risks experienced by companies and NGOs. As a result, cooperation between companies and NGOs is promoted. For that purpose, the main objective of this research is to:
‘Identify and investigate the possible cooperations between companies and NGOs that improve a company’s Corporate Social Responsibility through the execution of mutual Social Responsible activities.’

To meet the research objective, several research activities are executed:

1. Identification and categorization of the cooperation possibilities
2. Identification and categorization of the Social Responsible activity possibilities
3. Characterisation of the organisation of cooperation possibilities and their actors.
4. Identification of the cooperation success factors

Identification of the cooperation possibilities involves theoretical analysis and classification of the four dimensions and two levels of Groen’s 4-S social system model and leads to a typology of cooperation possibilities. The typology of cooperation possibilities is more specific if the Social Responsible (SR) activity types are included. Therefore, the SR activity types are identified with use of cooperation activity descriptions of 7 case studies. Furthermore, the case study research concludes organisational characteristics of the cooperation types and of their cooperative actors. Finally, cooperation(type) success factors are concluded from case study research.