CSR governance and departmental organization: a typology of best practices

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 211-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irina Lock ◽  
Peter Seele
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Governance Structure ◽  
The State ◽  
Governance Structures ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practice Approach ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose This paper aims to study the state of the art of corporate social responsibility (CSR) governance and operational structure within the most sustainable companies to arrive at a typology of CSR organization. Whether companies consider corporate social responsibility (CSR) a strategic management task is mirrored in the department and governance structure of CSR. Design/methodology/approach By conducting a web content analysis, the authors apply a “best practice” approach to examine the vertical and horizontal organization of CSR within the “most sustainable companies worldwide” (Robeco SAM, 2013). Findings The results show that most corporations have in place governance structures for CSR that organize it horizontally in stand-alone departments. Three types of CSR organization best practice emerged: the single-headed, two-headed and infused types. Practical implications The paper indicates three different ways that companies can organize CSR internally. The authors discuss the feasibility of such organization for large and small companies and their day-to-day business. Originality/value The paper addresses the under-researched area of vertical and horizontal CSR organization at the micro level. The authors analyze the state of the art of organizational and governance structures of CSR in the most sustainable companies and deduce three types of CSR governance and operational architecture.

Corporate social responsibility in marketing: a review of the state-of-the-art literature

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 418-446
Author(s):  
Anirban Chakraborty ◽  
Ankur Jha
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
The State ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Marketing Literature ◽  
Holistic Understanding ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose The purpose of the study is to understand the evolution of the state-of-the-art of corporate social responsibility (CSR) research in the domain of marketing. Design/methodology/approach The top-ranked journals in the domain of marketing have been chosen for the purpose of this study, and the papers related to CSR concept published in those journals between 1930 and 2018 have been reviewed. A lucid framework has been used to structure the reviewing process. Findings The study finds that the CSR concept in marketing context has become more complex, its dimensions have evolved and increased in number, affecting diverse stakeholders leading to different outcomes. Research limitations/implications A simple model is proposed to understand the amalgamation of CSR concept in marketing literature. The study also highlights extant gaps in the literature and suggests the directions for future research. Practical implications The notion of CSR goes beyond the economic and regulatory obligation of the firm. Hence, for it to be duly implemented, practitioners must have a holistic understanding of this multi-faceted construct. This paper examines the changing role of CSR in the context of marketing over a period of almost a century. It thereby helps marketers to understand and visualize their changing responsibility toward the society at large and thereby co-create a sustainable relationship with all the stakeholders. The study provides both tactical and strategic pointers to practitioners. Social implications The study draws upon extant literature and documents the positive impact of CSR on marketing variables and thereby gives a compelling reason to the marketers to be socially responsible. Compilation of persuasive evidence would encourage the adoption of CSR concepts by the marketers. This would elicit a more socially responsible action which will have a positive impact on the society that the marketer serves. Originality/value This is an in-depth study depicting the journey of CSR construct in marketing literature and provides a holistic understanding of the construct in the context of marketing.

scholarly journals Ownership types, corporate governance and corporate social responsibility disclosures

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 148-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ibrahem Alshbili ◽  
Ahmed A. Elamer ◽  
Eshani Beddewela
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Governance Structures ◽  
Fragile States ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Ownership Types

Purpose This study aims to examine the extent to which corporate governance structures and ownership types are associated with the level of corporate social responsibility disclosures (CSRD) in a developing country. Design/methodology/approach Multiple regression techniques are used to estimate the effect of corporate governance structures and ownership types on CSRD using a sample of Libyan oil and gas companies between 2009 and 2013. Findings First, the study results suggest that although the level of CSRD in Libya is low in comparison to its western counterparts, ownership factors have a significant positive influence on CSRD. Second, the authors find board meetings to have a positive impact on CSRD. However, the authors fail to find any significant effect of board size and presence of corporate social responsibility (CSR) committees on CSRD. Overall, the results support prior theoretical evidence that pressures exerted by the government and external stakeholders have a considerable influence in promoting firm-level CSRD activities, specifically as a legitimising mechanism in fragile states. Research limitations/implications First, this study is based on the annual reports, and it did not examine any other reports or other mass communication mechanism that companies’ management may use to disclose CSR information. Future studies might consider disclosures in other channels, if any, such as the internet, CSR reports, etc. Additionally, this study adopts the neo-institutional theory perspective. Future studies might integrate multi-theoretical lenses to offer a richer basis for understanding and explaining CSRD determinants. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by first providing additional evidence for existing studies, which suggest that on average, better-governed companies are more liable to follow a more socially responsible agenda than poorly governed companies as a legitimising mechanism in fragile states. Also, this study overcomes a major weakness in existing Libyan studies, which have mainly used descriptive data.

Embedding corporate governance and corporate social responsibility in emerging countries

2016 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 299-316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shigufta Hena Uzma
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Governance Structure ◽  
Emerging Countries ◽  
Corporate Disclosure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Legal Enforcement ◽  
The Government ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose This paper aims to examine how the governance structure incorporates corporate social responsibility (CSR) into corporate behaviour in the perspective of the external environment within emerging countries. Design/methodology/approach The paper reviews the various CSR legislations enacted in the global context and in particular reference to the Indian Companies Act 2013. Findings The embedded relationship between CSR and corporate governance (CG) is an outcome of extensive dimensions such as ownership structure, stakeholder approach and other external environmental factors such as the government regulations and legislation, legal enforcement and corporate disclosure culture. Originality/value The enactment of the Companies Act 2013 in India has infused a new direction for the corporations in implementing CSR and CG practices. This paper throws light on the coverage of the Companies Act 2013 and various challenges faced by the companies in the applicability of the CSR and CG framework in the Indian context.

Corporate social responsibility, governance and stakeholders: a bank in the upbeat of the crisis

2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 388-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Jan de Graaf
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Governance Structure ◽  
Governance System ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Responsibilities ◽  
The Social ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
A Company

Purpose Using the global financial crisis as a critical event and based on institutional theory and stakeholder theory, this paper aims to explore the relationship between corporate governance and corporate social responsibility (CSR). The question is how stakeholders can influence corporate responses to societal change by using their position in the governance structure. Design/methodology/approach The analysis is based on a historical analysis of data collected mainly between 2002 and 2004. The historical perspective enables an understanding of the response of the company to environmental changes. Findings The approach enables researchers to relate the normative component of CSR to specific governance mechanisms. These governance mechanisms are specified in direct and indirect influence pathways. Historical data shed light on how, in the upbeat of the crisis, stakeholders have influenced the principles and policies of the ING Group, a Dutch financial company. Research limitations/implications The paper suggests that stakeholders influence principles – normative assumptions that guide corporate decisions – mainly in dialogue-based meetings (direct influence pathways). Companies are made accountable in indirect influence pathways such as regulations. The author also demonstrates that a historical approach enables an understanding of long-term historical developments and the linking of corporate policies to the normative assumptions of stakeholders. Practical implications If stakeholders wish to assess the social responsibility of a company, then they should assess the governance structure in relation to the principles and policies. The power structure within a company and that within the institutional framework in which the company operates (the governance system) strongly influences how a company executes its social responsibilities. Social implications The paper demonstrates how stakeholders can use the governance structure to influence a bank. If society – or a specific group in society – wants banks to play a different role, this paper points to what could be the levers of change in the governance system and the governance structure. Originality/value Insights into the complex relationship between corporate governance and the processes in which the social responsibilities of a company are developed.

Management of corporate social responsibility in Hong Kong small and medium enterprises

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-162 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brenda YW Lee-Wong ◽  
Elizabeth More
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Hong Kong ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Practice Management ◽  
Communication Model ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Csr Communication ◽  
Award Winning ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose This paper aims to advance our knowledge in how small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) communicate corporate social responsibility (CSR). It forms part of a larger research study that investigated how CSR-award-winning SMEs interpret, manage and communicate CSR practices, as well as drivers for and barriers to engaging in CSR. The objective is to develop an integrated CSR best practice management and communication model for SMEs so as to assist companies in managing and communicating CSR more effectively and strategically. Design/methodology/approach Data were collected through qualitative in-depth interviews with 28 CSR-award-winning SMEs in Hong Kong and from a wide range of company information, websites, award applications and other relevant public documents. The data presented in this study were collected between 2012 and 2014. Findings CSR communication in Hong Kong SMEs was largely informal, direct, non-strategic and internally-focused. Both implicit and explicit approaches were identified. Some SME exemplars demonstrated use of strategic CSR communication by proactively communicated CSR practices and achievements to both internal and external stakeholders as a strategy to enhance their competitive advantage. In addition to traditional channels, many SMEs used social media and different forms of symbols such as award logos, stories, celebrations and CSR identity, with owners playing the role of CSR icons and advocates. Research limitations/implications The research subjects were purposefully drawn from the population of CSR award winners, with the results being biased towards best practice of CSR. This was done intentionally, to meet the research objective of understanding and building best-practice cases and the CSR model. The findings supported the proposed model that CSR communication played a dominant role in CSR management, serving as a driver, facilitator and enabler between the other themes of the model, and within the organization. The implications for SMEs were focused on integrating CSR communication within the organization instead of treating it as an afterthought. Originality/value This paper contributes to the existing limited body of knowledge of CSR communication in SMEs, particularly in Hong Kong. The integrated CSR best practice management and communication model for SMEs, developed as part of this study, may help SMEs to manage and communicate CSR more effectively and strategically.

Corporate political connection and corporate social responsibility disclosures

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 725-744 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Badrul Muttakin ◽  
Dessalegn Getie Mihret ◽  
Arifur Khan
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
The State ◽  
Annual Reports ◽  
Political Connection ◽  
Legitimacy Theory ◽  
Corporate Sector ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Csr Disclosure ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the association of corporate political connection with the level of voluntary corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosures to determine how the relationships between the state and the corporate sector influence CSR engagement. Design/methodology/approach Based on a neo-pluralist view of legitimacy theory, which conceptualizes the state as a concentration of power amenable to exploitation by the corporate sector, the study develops and empirically tests a hypothesis that CSR disclosures are inversely associated with political connection. A sample of 936 firm-year observations is used with data collected from annual reports of companies listed on the Dhaka Stock Exchange in Bangladesh from 2005 to 2013. Findings Results indicate that corporate political connection is associated with reduced CSR disclosures. This finding suggests that the perceived need for CSR disclosures as a legitimation strategy diminishes for politically connected firms. The finding supports a neo-pluralist argument that political connection could enable firms to eschew stakeholder pressure associated with potential legitimacy threats originating from poor CSR performance. This conclusion challenges the pluralist view of legitimacy theory that considers the state as a neutral arbiter resolving conflict among stakeholder groups in society. Originality/value The study makes a significant contribution to the literature by developing a neo-pluralist theorization of voluntary CSR disclosures within legitimacy theory and empirically testing it. Because prior empirical CSR disclosure research is largely underpinned by the pluralistic conception of society, examining this phenomenon from a neo-pluralist perspective enables a more complete understanding of CSR disclosure behaviors of firms.

Ownership structure and corporate social responsibility in India: empirical investigation of an emerging market

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manogna R.L.
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Mutual Fund ◽  
Institutional Investors ◽  
Multinational Firms ◽  
Emerging Market ◽  
Governance Structure ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Lending Institutions ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose Previous studies have examined the relationship between institutional investors and corporate social responsibility (CSR) engagement primarily for the case of developed nations. The purpose of this paper is to look at the association between different ownership categories and CSR spending of selected Indian firms within an emerging market context. Design/methodology/approach This study examines the motivations that guide the CSR strategies of different ownership groups. Random-effects Tobit panel regression is performed on a panel of BSE-listed non-financial Indian firms panel comprising of 5,313 firm year observations over a six-year period (2014-2019). Findings Heterogeneous behavior of institutional investors is revealed through the study. Different categories of institutional investors have different preferences for CSR spending of a firm. Lending institutes and foreign institutional investors (FIIs) are seen to support the CSR investments. However, mutual fund investors are seen to not influence the CSR spend by the firms. Further, the results show that family ownership, measured in terms of family shareholding, positively moderates the lending institutions and mutual funds toward CSR and does not impact the FIIs decision regarding the CSR investments. Practical implications The analysis has implications for both institutional investors and multinational firms. In the emerging market context, managers and owners who target long term strategies such as CSR, will benefit from increasing shareholdings of creditors (lending institutions). They can also take steps to improve their transparency and corporate governance structure so as to attract the foreign institutional investments. Originality/value Managers cannot ignore the heterogeneities of institutional investors in their investment decisions and hence CSR decisions need to align with those of different types of investors. This study adds to the existing literature by offering new empirical insights from the perspective of an emerging market, India.

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