scholarly journals Banking on bullshit: indifferences towards truth in corporate social responsibility

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Herold ◽  
Timo Dietrich ◽  
Tim Breitbarth
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Banking Sector ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Corporate Communications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThis study aims to identify and deconstruct bullshit in banks' corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication to advance the management rhetoric research space, which has been characterised by an indifference to truth and meaning.Design/methodology/approachWe provide a typology of bullshit phenomena overview in the banking sector and follow the McCarthy et al.'s (2020) C.R.A.P. framework from to showcase how bullshit can be comprehended, recognised, acted against and prevented.FindingsThis paper puts a spotlight on written and spoken language to detect bullshit in banks' CSR statements. It provides actionable insights into how stakeholders can act against and prevent bullshit statements from occurring in the future.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research is warranted to assess the use of still imagery, events and video materials in corporate communications and non-financial reporting. Further rigorous assessment of actual CSR initiatives must be undertaken to assess claimed contributions.Practical implicationsMonitoring mechanisms and independent assurance statements prepared by authorised third parties may strengthen the motivation and ethicality of CSR activities.Originality/valueThis viewpoint is the first to follow the C.R.A.P framework and critically assess indifferences towards truth in banks' CSR communications.

Investigating the relationship between strategic quality management (SQM) and corporate social responsibility (CSR)

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (11) ◽  
pp. 26-28
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Quality Management ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Strategic Quality Management ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings That whilst there are similarities between Strategic Quality Management (SQM) and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), one is not dependent on the other. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

A paradigm shift in corporate social responsibility: India’s transition from mandatory regime to the COVID-19 era

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aparna Bhatia ◽  
Amandeep Dhawan
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Paradigm Shift ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Gradual Increase ◽  
Stock Exchange ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This study aims to examine the pattern of corporate social responsibility expenditure (CSRE) incurred by Indian companies after the inception of Companies Act 2013. It also highlights the resultant change brought in the corporate social responsibility (CSR) spends of the companies because of COVID-19 pandemic. Design/methodology/approach The CSR index provided by the Ministry of Corporate Affairs under Companies (CSR Policy) Rules 2014, is adopted to measure the extent of CSRE made by top 30 Indian companies listed on Bombay Stock Exchange. To study the pattern of CSRE in various domains mentioned in the CSR index, the study is conducted over four points of time. Three alternative years since the commencement of the Companies Act 2013 i.e. 2014–2015, 2016–2017 and 2018–2019 have been taken up. Additionally, the financial year 2019–2020 is included as it marks the inception of the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings The findings show that the CSRE made by companies is increasing every year over all points of time taken in the study. In addition to this, Indian companies have voluntarily contributed a substantial amount towards COVID-19 relief over and above the required mandatory limits. Practical implications The gradual increase in CSR contributions even above the mandated amount and voluntary contribution towards COVID-19 relief by Indian companies implies that the nature of CSR in India is still philanthropic. Originality/value The study contributes to the CSR literature after the implementation of the mandatory CSR provisions in India and in the wake of the global pandemic caused by COVID-19 as so far there is no such study available in the extant literature.

Customer perceptions of CSR authenticity

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 614-629 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saju Jose ◽  
Nilesh Khare ◽  
F. Robert Buchanan
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Customer Perceptions ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
Big Picture ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to look at corporate social responsibility (CSR)-related actions to see whether they relate to clients’ perception of CSR. Design/methodology/approach Ninety-nine bank customers in Brisbane, Australia were surveyed by mail in a cross-sectional field study. Findings Not all CSR-related behaviors of the organizations were influential to perceptions of social responsibility. Big picture actions for the betterment of humanity were found to be influential to the perception of the firm’s CSR. However, respondents did not relate the firms’ profit and revenue initiatives to social responsibility, other than negativity toward false and misleading practices. Research limitations/implications Results are limited to one industry in Australia. Practical implications Actions for human betterment were found to be influential to the perception of the firm’s CSR. Also the uses of dishonest marketing schemes were seen as detrimental to CSR perceptions of the firm. However, respondents did not connect the firm’s business actions affecting profitability with customers, to their perceptions of its CSR. Thus, the authors conclude that altruism from a “big picture” standpoint has value in shaping CSR perception, but the organization may not always find it necessary to deprioritize profit, or to attempt to weave CSR actions into every aspect of their business. Originality/value The inquiry takes a novel approach to CSR, capturing an unexplored aspect of how CSR is perceived and valued by stakeholders.

Corporate investment in social responsibility versus dividends?

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 199-207 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michel T.J. Rakotomavo
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Corporate Investment ◽  
Cash Flows ◽  
Cost Of Equity ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Cost ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe paper aims to examine whether corporate investment in social responsibility takes away from expected dividends.Design/methodology/approachThe article builds two hypotheses that are tested empirically through the analysis of 17,670 US firm‐year observations covering the period 1991‐2007. The tests are conducted in both univariate and multivariate settings.FindingsThe evidence supports the hypothesis that mature firms tend to invest more in corporate social responsibility (CSR). Specifically, firms investing highly in CSR tend to be larger, more profitable, and with greater earned (rather than contributed) equity. The evidence also supports the hypothesis that CSR investment does not subtract from dividends. Instead, CSR effort and dividend tend to increase together. Thus, CSR investment tends to be effected by companies who can afford it, and it does not lower value by lowering investors' expected payout.Practical implicationsThese results imply that spending resources on CSR does not lower the cash flows paid out to investors. When combined with the finding that CSR lowers the cost of equity, they also mean that CSR increases the value of a company's stock.Originality/valueThis is the first study that explicitly links CSR to the dividend flow.

Exploring new worlds with corporate social responsibility

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (11) ◽  
pp. 30-32
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Knowledge Creation ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Reading Time ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – Considers ways in which corporate social responsibility can affect a firm’s value and therefore contribute to creating competitive advantage. More specifically, it includes an examination of the way an organization’s international presence can help with both reputation and knowledge creation. The researchers examined numerous Spanish companies who reflect these issues, including FC Barcelona. The story behind the soccer club’s acquisition of its biggest asset, Lionel Messi, is intriguing. Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

How does corporate social responsibility avoid the incidence of corruption in international expansion?

2015 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 334-342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morteza Khojastehpour
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
International Expansion ◽  
Cultural Economic ◽  
International Context ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify factors in avoidance of corruption in international expansion. Design/methodology/approach – Building on extensive literature, the paper includes three complexities, namely cultural, economic and regulation associated with corruption in an international context. Findings – The paper highlights that corruption can be addressed by three types of complexities. Practical implications – The findings of this study highlights the importance of corporate social responsibility for firms intend to expand internationally. Originality/value – The paper is one of the first to highlight the effect of corporate social responsibility on corruption in an international context.

When two worlds collide

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (9) ◽  
pp. 12-14
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Reading Time ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Csr Reporting ◽  
Corporate Reporting ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – In the early days of corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a newly defined issue in the 1980s, one of the main barriers to achieving a satisfactory level of accountability and reporting was the inability to fully understand the inner workings of major corporations. This was gradually overcome by developments in corporate reporting and regulation that many governments put in place, but for some firms, CSR reporting was something of a hindrance and something that might be manipulated if need be. Or in some countries, simply ignored. Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Corporate social responsibility tweeting

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (9) ◽  
pp. 18-20
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Reading Time ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Csr Communication ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Organizations need to embrace corporate social responsibility (CSR) communication in order to remain competitive. The best platform from which to do this is Twitter, where communal engagement and storytelling aspects can have the greatest results. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives, strategists and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Modern slavery and the supply chain: the limits of corporate social responsibility?

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (6) ◽  
pp. 697-707 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen John New
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Supply Chain ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Modern Slavery ◽  
Conceptual Paper ◽  
Forced Labour ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose – This conceptual paper aims to examine modern slavery in the supply chain, showing how the issue challenges conventional thinking and practice in corporate social responsibility (CSR). Design/methodology/approach – The paper considers the differences between modern slavery and other concerns within CSR. It examines legal attempts to encourage supply chain transparency and the use of corporate CSR methods. An example of forced labour in UK agriculture is used to develop a critique of these approaches. The paper examines the challenges facing research in this important area. Findings – The paper shows that the distinctive characteristics of modern slavery may make conventional supply chain CSR practices relatively ineffective. A holistic perspective may be needed in future research. Research limitations/implications – Researchers need to focus less on the espoused policies of corporations, and more on the enacted practice. Social implications – Modern slavery is universally accepted as a shameful blight on society; firms’ supply chain practices may be part of the problem. Originality/value – The paper’s contribution is to point to the potential differences between modern slavery and other CSR-related issues and to highlight the paradox that firms’ approaches to the issue may run in parallel with actions that foster the problem in the first place.

The effects of mandatory corporate social responsibility policy on accounting conservatism

2016 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chia-Ling Cheng ◽  
Fan-Hua Kung
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Financial Reporting ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Accounting Conservatism ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Government ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate whether government-mandated corporate social responsibility (CSR) engenders conservative financial reporting in emerging markets. It is expected that CSR plays a substitute role for governance mechanisms in reducing information asymmetry. Design/methodology/approach – The C-Score developed by Khan and Watts (2007) was adopted to measure the degree of firm-year specific accounting conservatism. This study uses the CSR rating established by the Shanghai National Accounting Institute. Findings – Empirical evidence indicates that the government-mandated CSR policy may be sufficient to induce conservative financial reporting. However, due perhaps to political affiliations, the evidence to support this claim is weaker for state-owned enterprises (SOEs) than for non-SOEs. Originality/value – The findings provide a deeper understanding of the potential role of CSR in firms. The results also provide evidence on the dynamics between CSR activities and the reporting behavior of managers. These findings have important implications for investors, analysts and regulators.

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