Understanding corporate social responsibility

2015 ◽  
Vol 31 (9) ◽  
pp. 9-11 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Social Constructionist ◽  
Theoretical Development ◽  
Special Interest Groups ◽  
Communication Studies ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose – To explain how communication studies can contribute to the practical and theoretical development of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Design/methodology/approach – Adopts a social constructionist perspective to examine the communication studies literature. Findings – Many people know very little about CSR – and don’t care much about it anyway. But those that do – and that can include some very different special interest groups – not only care but also have their own distinctive view of what CSR means. This presents corporations with a real challenge if they want to be seen as socially responsible and win the support of stakeholders and other groups that can influence their progress. Studying communication reveals themes that can contribute to the effective and meaningful development of CSR. Practical implications – Draws attention to the implications of dialogue between the corporation and stakeholders on CSR issues, the need for transparency and the relevance of complexity theory to CSR practice. Social implications – Notes that “truth” is socially constructed and that perceptions of reality in any situation depend on who takes part in the dialogue and what their starting point and initial beliefs were. Originality/value – Identifies four key contributions to CSR theory and practice drawn from communication studies. Comments that corporations can use these “four aces” to frame their responses to stakeholder CSR concerns more effectively or alternatively, to manipulate the situation.

Family businesses, corporate social responsibility, and websites

2019 ◽  
Vol 121 (7) ◽  
pp. 1442-1466 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lea Iaia ◽  
Demetris Vrontis ◽  
Amedeo Maizza ◽  
Monica Fait ◽  
Paola Scorrano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Word Association ◽  
Family Businesses ◽  
Wine Industry ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Italian Wine ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the distinctive elements of CSR communications that characterize the communications models of family businesses in the Italian wine industry, and to compare them with nonfamily businesses. Design/methodology/approach Using a case study approach, a sample of large and medium companies practicing corporate social responsibility was identified. The content of their websites was examined using content analysis and text mining (correspondence analysis techniques and word association analysis using the T-Lab software). Findings The analysis indicates that the ownership structure nature makes a difference in the online CSR communications process. The cultural identity in both family and nonfamily businesses is founded on intangible factors such as tradition; however, being a family business is a fundamental driver in the online CSR communications process, no longer forming a bond among players in the wine industry, but rather linking with other wine family businesses. Research limitations/implications One limitation of this work is the small size of the investigated sample. An added value it contributes is its focus on the Italian wine industry. The paper provides the essential elements that family and nonfamily wine businesses should consider in customizing their CSR communications with the brand’s specific details. Originality/value The authors highlighted the similarities and differences of family and nonfamily wine businesses in terms of their online CSR communications. The authors also observed how the family wine business identity, in its multidimensional construct, has common factors with what we call “familiness.” This research could establish a starting point for further work within this important sector.

Corporate Social Responsibility in hospitality: are sustainability initiatives really sustainable? Case examples from CitizenM, Lefay and Six Senses

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 525-545
Author(s):  
Virginia Maria Stombelli
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Decent Work ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
The Future ◽  
Virtuous Cycle ◽  
Positive Direct ◽  
Corporate Social

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.

Corporate social responsibility and sustainable management of solid wastes and effluents in Lagos megacity Nigeria

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (6) ◽  
pp. 742-761
Author(s):  
Lukman Raimi ◽  
AbdulGaniyu Omobolaji Adelopo ◽  
Hassan Yusuf
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Environmental Sustainability ◽  
Sustainable Management ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Solid Wastes ◽  
Behavioural Intention ◽  
Positive Relationships ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose This study aims to empirically investigate the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable management of wastes and effluents (SMWE) in Lagos Megacity. Design/methodology/approach The paper adopts a quantitative research method, specifically the use of a Web-survey technique for eliciting responses from a cross-section of companies affiliated to the Lagos Chambers of Commerce and Industry (LCCI). From a target population of 2,300 companies, a sample of 92 companies was drawn using the sample determination formula of Parten (1950). The 92 sampled companies were randomly administered Web-based questionnaires through their official emails. Finally, the 56 responses received from the participating companies (corresponding to 61 per cent response rate) were analysed electronically and the results presented using descriptive and inferential statistics. Findings The results show strong positive relationships between CSR and advocacy on waste and effluents (0.7), environmental impact response (0.7), environmental sustainability policy (0.6) and preventive negative impact (0.6) with P < 0.05. However, weak positive relationships exist between CSR and monitoring mechanisms (0.3) and adequacy of infrastructure for wastes and pollutants management (0.4). Overall, there is a significant positive relationship between CSR and sustainable management of solid wastes and effluents in the sampled companies in Lagos. Research limitations/implications The research is limited to Lagos Megacity because it is the industrial and commercial hub of Nigeria. Besides, there are several industrial associations in Lagos, but the selected association was the LCCI with 56 sampled companies. Practical implications The research supports and validates the theory of planned behaviour (TPB), which explicates that performance behaviour of organisations is influenced by the behavioural intention and behavioural control. However, behavioural intention of organisations may be carried out, abandoned or revised based on ever changing circumstances or contexts. Originality/value The study bridges the gap between theory and practice of environmental CSR by enriching the understanding of academics and practitioners on CSR and environmental sustainability relationships in Lagos Megacity.

Corporate social responsibility, Waqf system and Zakat system as faith-based model for poverty reduction

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 228-242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lukman Raimi ◽  
Ashok Patel ◽  
Ismail Adelopo
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Research ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Poverty Reduction ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Theoretical Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Faith Based ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose – Poverty is a plague which has continental manifestation, but its impact is heavily felt in several Muslim majority nations (MMNs), where unemployment, illiteracy, chronic diseases, food shortage, sectarian wars and wave of militancy are surging at alarming rates. The purpose of this paper is to develop a faith-based model (FBM) to complement the conventional poverty reduction models. Experiences have shown that FBMs find more acceptability among Muslim nations because they have theoretical and theological underpinnings from the Qur’an and Hadith, as opposed to conventional models that are often viewed with suspicion, sequel to Islamic revivalism. Design/methodology/approach – This research adopts a qualitative research method relying on secondary data/information sourced from CIA Factbook, previous scholarly works, working papers, case studies and relevant internet resources. In line with methodological approach of qualitative research, the secondary data/information were subjected to content and thematic analyses (CTA) from which facts, figures and presumptions were derived to support the FBM. Findings – The paper justified the plausibility of integrating corporate social responsibility (CSR), Waqf system (WS) and Zakat system (TZS) as FBM for poverty reduction, enterprise development and economic empowerment in MMNs. Research limitations/implications – The gap left behind by the paper is for future researchers to carry out an empirical investigation on the viability or otherwise of the FBM. This could include the governance structure, operational modalities and regulatory frameworks that would enhance the functioning of the FBM. Practical implications – FBM framework is practically a corporate social investment (CSI), which would be heavily funded by Zakat payers, CSR donations and Waqf. The funds would be deployed to poverty reduction in a number of ways ranging from training, micro-credit support for SMEs, apprenticeships, setting up technology business incubation centres, cluster development, infrastructural development in industrial parks, as well as providing welfare support services to the poor, marginalised communities and other economically disadvantaged groups. Originality/value – The theoretical research is a contribution to theory and practice of CSR in the field of management and Islamic economics. It has developed a FBM for adoption by MMNs who are hesitant in adopting western model for fear of compromising their ethical values.

Can investing in corporate social responsibility lower a company's cost of capital?

2014 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 202-222 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcelo Cajias ◽  
Franz Fuerst ◽  
Sven Bienert
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Cost Of Capital ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Equity Capital ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Cost ◽  
A Company

Purpose – This paper aims to investigate the effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) ratings on the ex ante cost of capital of more than 2,300 listed US companies in a panel from 2003 to 2010. It examines whether financial markets value continuous investment in CSR activities through higher market capitalization and lower cost of capital. Design/methodology/approach – The measure of the cost of capital reflects the perceived riskiness of individual companies expressed in the unobserved internal rate of return that investors expect to hold a risky asset. Based on descriptive portfolio estimations, panel and quantile regressions, the authors model the cost of equity capital as a function of CSR strengths and concerns obtained from the KLD-database and accounting controls. Findings – The authors show that firms' CSR strategies differ significantly across industry sectors. Customer-orientated companies such as telecommunications and automobile outperform asset-driven sectors such as real estate or chemical companies. Furthermore, the authors find a 10-bp positive effect for one standard deviation of firms' intensive allocation of resources in sustainable activities. Research limitations/implications – Since the authors are interested in the effect environmental, social and governance activities have on the firm's perceived market valuation rate, the authors apply the Fama-French model because of its efficiency in explaining realized returns, rather than incorporating analyst's long-term growth forecasts into the proxy for the equity premium. Practical implications – Managers of companies with low or intermediate CSR scores may consider the financial benefits of improving their social and environmental performance. A good starting point is usually to draw up a company-wide CSR agenda, possibly guided by a dedicated CSR task force, mapping out the potential costs and benefits of such measures. In addition, by improving their CSR ratings, a company may get access to additional resources, ranging from the growing ethical investment industry to employees for whom CSR performance matters when choosing an employer. Originality/value – The authors expand the existing literature by considering firm's CSR level to be in relation to the overall CSR performance and decompose firm's CSR agenda into strengths and concerns rather than counting the number of activities a firm is involved in. The applied methodology allows a better understanding of firm's CSR agenda and its implication for capital markets and investors on both long and short investment terms.

scholarly journals Corporate reputation through strategic communication of corporate social responsibility

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Oyindamola Abiola Ajayi ◽  
Tsietsi Mmutle
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Corporate Reputation ◽  
Qualitative Content Analysis ◽  
Communication Strategies ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Csr Communication ◽  
Corporate Social

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore how the communication of corporate social responsibility (CSR) contributes towards a favourable corporate reputation. It explores the communication strategies and channels organisations deemed reputable by stakeholders use to achieve an effective CSR communication.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve this, a qualitative content analysis using the directed approach was conducted on the textual CSR communication materials of ten reputable organisations in South Africa based on the 2018 South Africa Reptrak survey.FindingsResult showed that seven out of ten organisations use both self-serving and society-serving motive in their CSR communication, while the other 3 use only the society serving motive. The informing strategy was also more evident in the CSR communication materials than the interactive strategy. In terms of the communication channels, the study found that organisations mainly utilise controlled channels for CSR communication.Originality/valueThe literature reviewed and the findings of this study reveal a gap between the theory and practice of CSR communication. This drives the need for organisations to research and tailor CSR communication based on stakeholders' unique characteristics and preferences. The paper also contributes to improving the knowledge on the role different CSR communication strategies and channels play in CSR communication.

scholarly journals A critical perspective on corporate social responsibility

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 84-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subhabrata Bobby Banerjee
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Political Economy ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Global Governance ◽  
Theoretical Development ◽  
The Political ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Governance Framework ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to argue that there are structural and functional limits to corporate social responsibility (CSR) that determine the boundary conditions of corporate social initiatives. The current preoccupation with win-win situations in CSR may not serve societal interests. For CSR to produce social outcomes that are not necessarily constrained by corporate rationality there needs to be a change in the normative framework of public decision making at the institutional level. The author develops a global governance framework for CSR that provides more democratic forms of decision making in the political economy that will enable corporate social responsibility to overcome the constraints imposed by corporate rationality. Design/methodology/approach – This is a conceptual paper and critique. Findings – The author develops a global governance framework for CSR that provides more democratic forms of decision making in the political economy that will enable corporate social responsibility to overcome the constraints imposed by corporate rationality. Originality/value – The paper contributes to theoretical development of CSR.

The business strategy/corporate social responsibility “mash‐up”

2008 ◽  
Vol 27 (10) ◽  
pp. 1066-1085 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tom McManus
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Management Innovation ◽  
Corporate Value ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the “mash‐up” of business strategy and corporate social responsibility (CSR). In popular music, a mash‐up is a file of digitally combined musical sources. Song A is played simultaneously with Song B, and in various other combinations. There are often elements of dissonance, and even cacophony, to the form – but the sum of the parts often surpasses the originals. CSR is a management innovation like the idea of business strategy itself. Each is also a metaphor representing alternative visions and approaches to corporate value creation. Business strategists are talking, writing, and meeting about CSR, and CSR is increasingly intersecting, integrating, converging, with business strategy. The trend is described within as a “mash‐up”. But what is the significance of this trend? How serious should companies be about it? Is CSR going to become a part of standard business theory and practice? How long will it take? What should organizations do to respond and participate?Design/methodology/approachThis paper examines two propositions. First, that CSR is more than a set of ideas and processes; it is a metaphor for a different approach to business. Second, CSR is a management innovation like strategic planning itself. The paper concludes that the impact the two ideas will have on each other and society is fundamentally unpredictable, but it is likely that eventually the current CSR mania will subside and disillusionment will set in.FindingsCSR is a highly significant trend, and well‐managed companies are already taking it very seriously. CSR may become a part of standard business theory and practice, but not without evolving through adoption patterns that will necessarily involve some disillusionment. Leaders will guide their company through this period by focusing on how to make CSR “real” for their organization by embracing the business strategy/CSR mash‐up and driving growth and innovation within the new parameters.Originality/valueFamiliarizes business strategists with CSR and CSR practitioners with points of connection and overlap with business strategy.

The impact of corporate social responsibility on brand equity

2019 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Yang ◽  
Kelly Basile
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Brand Equity ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
The Other ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Interaction Terms ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Purpose Despite the significant investment in research on corporate social responsibility (CSR), there still exists a lack of clarity in terms of how different types of CSR activities lead to the outcomes a firm desires with their investment in CSR. The purpose of this paper is to provide greater insight on the relationship between types of CSR activities and brand equity (BE). The authors develop and test a conceptual framework, which examines the unique relationship between each CSR dimension and BE, as well as the interaction of product-related CSR activities and employee-related CSR activities with CSR activities across the other dimensions. Design/methodology/approach The authors collected data from multiple secondary sources, including Kinder, Lydenberg and Domini (KLD) Research and Analytics Inc., Interbrand, Compustat and CMR. The authors used random-effect estimations to estimate panel regressions of BE as a function of the different dimensions of a firm’s CSR, interaction terms between CSR dimensions and product quality and interaction terms between employee relations and other CSR dimensions, as well as a set of control variables and Year dummy variables. Findings Based upon a large-scale panel data set including 78 firms for the period of 2000–2014, the results show that diversity- and governance-related CSR have a positive effect on BE, employee-related CSR has a negative effect on BE and both product and employee dimensions play important roles in the relationships between other CSR dimensions and BE. These results have important implications for both theory and practice. Originality/value This study makes several contributions to extant literature on CSR and brand strength. First, this study examines the impact of CSR on BE vs alternative measures of brand-related outcomes. This study uses the KLD database to determine scores for firm CSR activity. It is the first to use the extensive KLD database to examine the relationship between types of CSR activities and BE. Last, this study seeks to better understand some of the organizational factors which influence the success of CSR outcomes. Specifically, the research will examine the interaction of product-related and employee-related CSR activities with CSR activities across the other dimensions.

Origin stories in CSR: genesis of CSR at British American Tobacco

2017 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 178-191 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy Coombs
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Business Case ◽  
Theory And Practice ◽  
Initial Development ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Csr Communication ◽  
British American Tobacco ◽  
Origin Story ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose Graphic novels have a concept known as the origin story. The origin story is background information on how a hero or villain came into being. The purpose of this paper is to explore the origin story of corporate social responsibility at British American Tobacco (BAT). The CSR origin story is unpacked by examining corporate documents from BAT that discuss the initial development of the company’s CSR program. The BAT documents are part of the Legacy Tobacco Documents Library (LTDL), a searchable, digital archive developed and managed by the University of California, San Francisco. It contains 85,569,326 pages in 14,360,422 documents. The library was created as part of the tobacco company settlement of a major law suit in the USA. Design/methodology/approach For this case study, the authors searched the archive for documents from BAT that had the key words “corporate social responsibility.” The documents were then analyzed using qualitative content analysis to identify key themes related to BAT’s created of its CSR programs. Findings The two dominant themes were business case BAT made for CSR and the environmental factors that shaped CSR. The business case had sub-themes of the new operating environment and reinforcing employees. The environmental sub-themes were the importance of NGOS and the top issues to be addressed in CSR efforts. The themes helped to explain why BAT was engaging in CSR, the factors shaping the start of its CSR programs, and the issues it intended to address through CSR. Research limitations/implications The analysis is limited to one organization and does not include interviews to go with the archived documents. Practical implications The paper considers the implications of the analysis for theory and practice for internal CSR communication. Originality/value The documents provide a rare glimpse inside a corporate decision to begin a CSR program and how the managers “talked” about CSR. Instead of examining external CSR communication, it examines the early days of internal CSR communication at a specific firm. The yields of the document analysis provide insights into how BAT conceptualized CSR and communicated the rationale for creating a CSR program internally. Research has relied primarily upon speculation of corporate motives or corporate public discourse designed to frame their CSR efforts. The internal documents provide an unfiltered examination of the motives for a CSR program. This allows us to better understand why a CSR program was created including the motives, targets, and desired outcomes.

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