Implementing corporate social responsibility in the UK construction industry

2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen Barthorpe
Author(s):  
M. John Foster

AbstractIn essence firms or companies are usually thought to exist to make products for or provide services of some sort to third parties, other companies or individuals. The philosophical question which naturally arises then is ‘to the benefit of whom should a firm’s activities be aimed?’ Possible answers include the owners of the firm, the firm’s employees or wider society, the firm’s local community or their host nation. It is because of firms’ location within a wider society that the issue of corporate social responsibility arises. The issue is do they contribute in a positive way to the fabric of society. In this paper we conduct an exploratory investigation whose research questions, broadly, are whether there is public evidence of corporate social responsibility activity by firms listed in the UK and to what extent, if any, such activities may amount to genuinely socially responsible management by the firms. We examined the most up to date annual reports of a split sample of 36 firms listed in the FTSE 350. The short answers to the two research questions above are: to some degree and no by some margin, based on data from the sample firms.


Author(s):  
Dilek Ulutaş Duman ◽  
Heyecan Giritli ◽  
Peter McDermott

Purpose Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has evolved to an important agenda for many industries and its scope has been widened from the responsible business to strategic decisions. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the concept of CSR from the perspective of construction industry by questioning CSR awareness, CSR activities, and CSR integration with a comparative case study between UK and Turkey. Design/methodology/approach Conducting comparative and qualitative research using a case study methodology, this study sets the context for understanding differences in these two countries as to how CSR is perceived and put into practice by selected case firms. Findings The results revealed that construction companies are aware of the increasing importance of the CSR; however, company scale and the characteristics of the country have great impact on CSR preferences. Despite the differences in the approaches all firms take with regard to CSR domains and CSR types, ethical domain and the social orientation have become prominent for CSR initiatives in both the UK and Turkey. Originality/value This study provides the empirical evidence for the understanding and integration of the CSR concept in the construction industry; shed light on missing knowledge about CSR integration and serves as a source for further in-depth researches on CSR.


Author(s):  
Genevieve Dupont ◽  
Marianne Ojo ◽  
James Rossi

This chapter not only attempts to identify those variables which govern and impact the relationship and interplay between Corporate Social Responsibility and Foreign Direct Investment, but illustrate the conditions under which such variables are likely to be most susceptible to change and fluctuations – as well as consequences that are likely to be generated as a result of such fluctuations. In so doing it also contributes to the literature in highlighting why greater focus and priority should be accorded to Foreign Direct Investment and Corporate Social Responsibility, as tools for poverty alleviation. Further, as well as accentuating, under the conclusion section, why the UK Government strategy for building more plants after Hinkley Point, implies that the UK would not reap all benefits of the Project, the chapter expansiates on contributory factors which have resulted in the decision of the UK Government to delay its decision on the Hinkley Point Project. Contributory factors, which include among a notable few, the need for flexible generating capacity was also cited, since renewable energy cannot be easily converted at Hinkley Point.


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