Corporate social responsibility in tourism as a tool for sustainable development

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 2358-2375 ◽  
Author(s):  
Burcin Hatipoglu ◽  
Bengi Ertuna ◽  
Duygu Salman

PurposeThis study aims to analyze corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs in tourism as a tool for sustainable development in the CSR program of a multinational enterprise in Turkey.Design/methodology/approachThis study includes qualitative research on a single company, content analysis of company-originated documents, participant observations, questionnaires for tourism project coordinators and follow-up interviews with company directors and project managers.FindingsThe paper identifies immediate context variables, program management, the complementary nature of interests and the diverse capabilities of the partners and an ongoing evaluation process as the determining factors for creating shared value for CSR programs in tourism.Research limitations/implicationsDespite the challenges of impact assessment and measurement of long-term effects, the study proposes a systematic framework for evaluating shared value creation generated by CSR activity.Practical implicationsThe evaluation methodology introduced in this research will be of use to CSR program developers in interpreting and reporting on the anticipated outcomes and impacts of their interventions in sustainable tourism development.Social implicationsA lack of outcome evaluation and impact assessment may affect accountability and, hence, the legitimacy of CSR programs. This study attempts to mitigate that limitation by introducing a novel methodology.Originality/valueThe value of CSR in tourism is a highly contested issue, despite its high potential for contributing to sustainable development. This longitudinal research goes beyond presenting immediate outputs of a CSR program in sustainable tourism; it discusses intermediate outcomes in the form of capitals, community well-being and shared value for society at large.

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 525-545
Author(s):  
Virginia Maria Stombelli

Purpose In 2016, the United Nations published the agenda for sustainable development with 17 Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), asking everyone to commit to reach the Goals’ targets by 2030. Accordingly, hospitality brands developed Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives to deliver positive direct, indirect and induced impacts to the triple bottom lines’ environmental, social and economic dimensions. The purpose of this paper consists in investigating the benefits that companies want to obtain, engaging in these activities. Three very different hotel brands’ CSR are analyzed to consider their undeclared coordination with the UN SDGs namely CitizenM, Lefay and Six Senses. Design/methodology/approach The paper is based on secondary qualitative data retrieved from websites. Findings When choosing to commit to CSR initiatives, companies not only behave as good corporate citizens but also pursue their economic interests. By so doing, they receive benefits that vary from improved image and reputation amongst guests to enhanced satisfaction and commitment amongst employees, passing through reduced fiscal burdens and financial savings. Practical implications The UN SDGs seem to potentially create a virtuous cycle in which Goal 8, decent work and economic growth, must be a leading cornerstone. To make the cycle work, socio-economic engagement and factual certainly should be improved and hospitality companies should pay a role both by measuring and publishing the benefits of committing to CSR and funding sustainability research that can be beneficial to their business, too. If this happens and the UN SDGs’ targets are met, the future will benefit from a circular economy, whereby resources will not be disposed of but maintained, repaired, reused, remanufactured and refurbished before being recycled. In other words, sustainability is not only about creating a better life for every living being but also about developing favourable business environments to benefit companies. Originality/value The comparison of hospitality brands’ with theoretically identified benefits represents the starting point of a wider multi-dimensional reflection on coordination between companies’ CSR and UN SDGs. Recommendations to sustain the sustainability virtuous cycle and to look at the future are drawn.


2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-94 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan J. Fish ◽  
Jack Wood

Purpose This paper aims to highlight dysfunctional multi-stakeholder relations and negative business outcomes, evidenced in lose/lose results, exacerbated by failure to acknowledge strategic business focus as a means to redress problematic business thinking and practice amongst key leadership teams associated with achieving balance between competitive advantage and corporate social responsibility. Design/methodology/approach The reframed strategic business focus has been developed using Eastern philosophy and Western organization theory and refers to four case examples of dysfunctional business thinking and practice. Findings Strategic business focus results from an interdependent and complementary positive mediating relationship between competitive advantage and corporate social responsibility, which is moderated by organization culture (organization core values, including shared value) and strategic human resource management (talent and mindset). Research limitations/implications Strategic business focus as proposed has not been empirically tested but seeks to address a conceptualization that competing business and stakeholder agendas are interdependent and complementary. Practical implications Strategic business focus seeks to redress traditional win/lose and lose/lose business outcomes, by supporting win/win results, represented by shared value amongst multi-stakeholders. Social implications Strategic business focus seeks to provide a means whereby corporate social responsibility, particularly the social contract, plays a key role in the decisions and practices of key leadership teams and the behaviour of corporate staff in host environments when seeking competitive advantage. Originality/value Eastern thinking and behaviour are usually undervalued in the western business literature, particularly in western business practice. Joint attention, however, may improve competitive advantage and corporate social responsibility agendas in support of diverse management practices, including shared value.


2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 275-287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cameron Richards ◽  
Irina Safitri Zen

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to develop and explore the policy concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a focus for sustainable development. To this end, it develops and explores the implications of a distinction between CSR as a marketing strategy and a more sustainable long-term commitment to changes in organizational culture and also society. Design/methodology/approach This a conceptual paper which develops a policy research framework for examining the CSR rationale as well as general concept as applied to the “plastic bags” public awareness campaign in the Malaysian case study. On this basis, its central inquiry approach is to develop and explore the distinction between surface and deep modes of CSR policy implementation as also related modes of social learning. Findings The findings from the conceptual inquiry recognize that corporations which fail to apply a deep rather than a surface commitment to their own CSR polices will sooner or later be judged on that basis by their customers as well as external stakeholders. Although CSR policies will always involve a corporate marketing focus, this is sustainable only if framed by a long-term organizational commitment to accountable change. Originality/value The paper makes, develops and further explores a basic accountability distinction between surface and deep modes of CSR as a management commitment, corporate policy implementation and related processes of corporate cultural change. This links to the paper’s associated innovation of linking CSR as both internal organizational learning and a larger sustainable development process of social learning.


2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muneer Al Mubarak

Purpose This study aims to introduce a five senses concept (sight, hearing, taste, touch and smell) that enhances corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy. It sheds light on the effective CSR senses, which are required by firms for better performance and sustainable development. Design/methodology/approach The main approach for collecting information for discussion is the literature review focusing on topics such as CSR strategy, CSR activities, sustainability and sensemaking. Findings While searching the literature, little was found on sensemaking and very little was found on CSR five senses, a gap which needs to be looked at. A gap was also found between what firms do and what are expected from them to deliver to society in terms of CSR activities which puts sustainability at risk. Practical implications Firms are expected to improve performance when these five CSR senses are incorporated in their strategy and activities. This approach makes firms work effectively to meet different stakeholders’ needs and wants internally and externally; hence, a better satisfaction level can be achieved and sustainable development is likely to be better secured. Originality/value The idea of CSR senses has been neither thoroughly discussed nor sufficiently developed as a five CSR senses concept in the previous studies. This study contributes to the CSR knowledge and practice in many venues by offering a conceptual model that suggests important senses of effective CSR strategy, hence, bridging the CSR gap that might exist in strategy and practice. Therefore, researchers and practitioners are expected to benefit from this study that can result in better CSR control and sustainable development.


2015 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 466-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Alastair Lindsay Coldwell ◽  
Tasneem Joosub

Purpose – Strategies and policies aimed at alleviating poverty in Sub-Saharan African countries usually depend on capitalistically driven economic growth. However, the view that capitalism needs to reinvent itself to survive the crisis of confidence brought about by the recent global financial collapse depends on the extent to which such a shared value oriented, sustainable capitalist reinvention is embraced by emergent business leaders. A sustainable system of capitalism driven by business and community shared value can only take root if the hearts and minds of future business leaders are convinced of their cogency and appropriateness. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – This paper reports the findings of an empirical study utilizing a Likert-type scale designed to measure corporate shared value (CSV) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) among a sample of fourth year accountancy students at a leading South African university. Findings – Preliminary findings suggest that perceptions of this group of emergent leaders generally regard CSR rather than CSV as the “correct” business model for companies to follow. Although the sample is limited to one South African university and is relatively small, it contributes to the literature by offering insight into emergent business leaders’ perceptions and their view of the direction of CSR in South Africa should take. Research limitations/implications – Implications of the paper are that by offering insight into emergent business leaders’ perceptions of South African society and specifically their view of the direction South African CSR should take, the paper suggests prescriptive remedial steps in policy that educational and other learning institutions could take to engender appropriate social values in learners. Originality/value – The study contributes to the literature by offering devised and tested measuring instruments for CSR and CSV in the South African context and gives insight into emergent business leaders’ perceptions and their view of the direction of CSR in South Africa should take.


2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-197 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith James Kelley ◽  
Thomas A. Hemphill ◽  
Yannick Thams

Purpose This paper aims to explore the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate financial performance (CFP) from a shared value perspective. Adopting reputation as a multilevel form of value that mediates the CSR–CFP relationship, the paper explains how CSR initiatives may enhance both firm and country reputation and how the amount of shared value between the two leads to CFP. Design/methodology/approach The paper first establishes the theoretical foundation for the relationship between CSR and CFP. It then draws connections to a more recent stream of literature surrounding the concept of creating shared value to expand upon this relationship, adopting reputation as a multilevel form of shared value that mediates the CSR–CFP relationship. The paper further discusses moderating influences of this relationship that may vary contextually with emerging economies such as those in Latin America. Findings The paper argues that as markets become further developed, CSR initiatives will create a higher proportion of shared reputational value between a corporation and country. This is the result of from aligning CSR initiatives that benefit a society, with the strategic goals of the firm – the essence of creating of shared value – but is more difficult in emerging markets, especially volatile ones. Originality/value This paper offers insight into a complex relationship between CSR, shared reputational value and CFP by introducing the more recent concept of creating shared value. Several propositions related to this general relationship, and some related to the difference among emerging markets (such as those in Latin America), address the need for more research related to corporate and country reputation, creating shared value and in the emerging market context.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Md. Anowar Hossain Bhuiyan ◽  
Md. Abud Darda ◽  
Md. Belal Hossain

Purpose Corporate social responsibility (CSR) influences an organization in deciding its ethical approaches in the corporate practices and also important to maintain sustainable development. Islamic banks are capturing almost 40% of the total bank account holders in Bangladesh and contributing to the socio-economic and environmental development of the country through their CSR activities. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impacts of CSR activities of Islamic banks for sustainable development in Bangladesh from the perception of the beneficiaries. Design/methodology/approach This study is based on a questionnaire survey of 200 conveniently selected beneficiaries from five purposively selected Islamic banks in Bangladesh. Respondents’ agreement score for various CSR-related activities has been observed in a five-point Likert scale and, finally, to identify the impact of CSR, exploratory factor analysis has been done. Findings Results revealed that respondents are expressing strong agreement for almost all the activities, and they are much satisfied with ongoing CSR activities by Islamic banks, which implies positive attitudes of beneficiaries regarding CSR activities. The results of factor analysis further confirm the perception of respondents toward CSR activities of Islamic banks in terms of social enhancement, education and health, socio-economic well-being and contemporary arts and culture. Originality/value The Islamic banks should enhance their CSR activities for socio-economic development, provide more allocation in education programs, increase sponsorship in sports events and assist in flourishing Bangladeshi arts and culture.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Jerold Edson Ring

Businesses fail in the absence of an engagement strategy with stakeholders who influence and are influenced by a company’s business activity in communities where the company has a presence. A lack of understanding of the interdependency implicit in the company/community relationship, and the absence of new frameworks to encourage collaboration, has led increasingly to an inability to resolve conflicting views. An evolving approach is business participation in multisector collaborative watershed initiative partnerships. This qualitative multiple case study examines the perspectives of 22 participants of two watershed partnerships relating to corporate social responsibility (CSR), the Triple Bottom Line of sustainable development (TBL), and shared value. The study’s theoretical framework focuses on stakeholder theory integrated with the corporate imperatives of CSR, the TBL, and shared value. The research question is how these constructs might define an unexplored community engagement framework between the company, the community, and watershed initiatives. The research data suggests these factors are interrelated, and, when integrated into a strategy, define a Sustainable Community Engagement Framework that redefines the business case for engaging stakeholders to help resolve often conflicting views relating to the company’s business activity. The study outcomes are particularly relevant to academics, practitioners, business managers, and consultants engaged with high profile organizations such as chemical, petroleum and utility businesses whose presence may generate community concerns about their business activities, especially their environmental footprint.


2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 26-38 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francis Xavier Dery Tuokuu ◽  
Kwesi Amponsah-Tawiah

Purpose Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has gained global prominence in recent years. This is because businesses have seen the need to consider the interests of stakeholders not only to enhance their corporate image but also to live good neighbourly lives with the communities in which they operate. The purpose of this paper is to examine the value of engaging stakeholders and recommend multinational corporations not to take over the governance of countries in which they operate as a result of their financial muscle but to play complementary roles to help in the development of those countries. Although CSR is no longer new in Africa according to recent studies, it is suffering from identity crisis, as it has been used generally and severally to refer to different issues. This conceptual paper discusses the notion of CSR practice in Africa and the major issues and debates around it. It looks at the role of government and civil society organisations that are at the forefront playing watchdog and vigilante roles for the benefit of the society. Design/methodology/approach This is a conceptual paper. Findings The paper argues that business and society cannot exist without working together and that responsible business is key to sustainable development. It traces the roots of CSR and the emergence of the concept. It advises that what is required in Africa is for the media and civil society organizations to play watchdog and vigilante roles in ensuring that businesses are socially responsible, accountable and transparent. If governments and businesses are transparent and accountable, then the citizens become the greatest beneficiary. The profit margins of businesses will also increase and there will be sustainable development. The paper also indicates that the concept of CSR is gaining grounds in Africa and is no longer new as indicated by previous studies. It recommends that Africa should have its own CSR programmes designed to fit into the African setting. The paper examines the major issues and debates on CSR and concludes that any attempt to introduce uniform laws to ensure responsible business operations universally will not work as situations differ from country to country. The overreliance on corporate entities, particularly Multinational corporations (MNCs) and transnational corporation (TNCs), for the direct development of African economies is not sustainable, as these corporate entities cannot continue to fulfil these obligations meant for the development of infrastructure and still be expected to provide basic amenities for communities under the guise of fulfilling CSR. This process of national development is unsustainable. Originality/value The paper recommends a multi-stakeholder approach in designing and implementing CSR programmes. The government, civil society, community and the company should collaborate and constantly have stakeholder engagements as that are the only way of attaining a win-win benefit. MNCs and TNCs should see the government and other stakeholders as partners in development and not lord it over them as a result of their financial muscle. It is recommended that more research work be done in CSR education in Africa. This is to enable business operators and communities understand the true meaning of CSR and to know that the concept goes beyond philanthropy or donations. It will also help them understand that the concept goes beyond community relations to include issues such as human rights, child labour, environmental governance and corporate tax among others.


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