scholarly journals The Corporate Social Responsibility of Polish Energy Companies

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (13) ◽  
pp. 3815
Author(s):  
Magdalena M. Stuss ◽  
Zbigniew J. Makieła ◽  
Agnieszka Herdan ◽  
Gabriela Kuźniarska

If corporate social responsibility (CSR) is expected to work efficiently, there should be a standardised approach for implementation of the CSR concept for all businesses, including companies operating in the energy sector. Although many companies declare compliance with CSR standards, further investigation should be undertaken to evaluate if and how those standards have been applied in practice. The aim of this research is to examine the level of standardisation of the CSR activities within Polish energy companies and explore the good practices developed by those companies. The Polish energy companies have been selected for the investigation as the literature review we conducted demonstrates that there is limited research in this area and there is a knowledge gap regarding how Polish energy companies apply CSR regulation in practice. To accomplish the stated aims, the following research questions were developed: (1) What is the essence of applying the CSR concept in Polish energy companies, and at what level of development is the concept applied? (2) To what extent do Polish energy companies have a common approach to the CSR concept, and in what areas are there differences? (3) To what extent have Polish energy companies applied global CSR standards and solutions? (4) Is there a gap between the declared measures of CSR and their actual implementation in Polish energy companies? The research methodology of this study is based on a systematic literature review of the sources acquired from databases such as ProQuest, Emerald, SCOPUS and the Jagiellonian University Library. The multiple case study approach was identified as the most suitable research tool. Companies for the study were selected according to their affiliation to the energy sector and listing on the main market of the Warsaw Stock Exchange. These two assumptions allowed us to base this study on the largest Polish energy companies that have international status. Six areas of CSR annual report disclosures have been identified and used for the investigation and analysis. This research looks at similarities and difference between these six aspects of CSRs disclosed by Polish energy companies. The investigation allows us to conclude that the top three energy companies use similar tools to build their CSR strategies: formalised CSR concept, published CSR reports, disclosure of CSR information on the company website, CSR related activities offered to stakeholders, obtained CSR certificates, and CSR awards. This indicates the existence of a standardised approach to CSR across Polish energy companies.

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Vusumuzi Sibanda ◽  
Imelda Sekai Shoko ◽  
Ruramayi Tadu

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has remained topical and contentious as various schools of thought are put forward on its relationship to cost versus profitability for businesses. This study explored the relevance of CSR and its effect on the survival of businesses during an economic meltdown in Zimbabwe. The study purposively sampled 31 companies that are listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange and have sound CSR programmes. A total of 93 questionnaires were administered and a Chi-square was conducted to test and establish the relationship between CSR strategies and business survival. The study concluded that companies with CSR strategies had a higher chance of surviving during turbulent times. Following the findings of the study, it is recommended that government comes up with CSR policies for different industries and that organisations continue investing in CSR especially in times of economic challenges.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-94
Author(s):  
Andrew Victor Kabenlah Blay Jnr ◽  
Augustine Senanu Komla Kukah ◽  
Julius Akotia

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities in Ghana are spearheaded by large-scale multi-national companies and have gained momentum in recent years possibly due to the discovery of oil. The goal of this study is to learn more about how energy companies in Ghana view and practise CSR. A mixture of quantitative and qualitative methods was adopted for this study. Structured questionnaires and interview guides were used to collect data from selected energy companies and inhabitants. Descriptive statistics, t-tests and content analysis were the analytical tools adopted. The findings suggest that CSR was seen as a voluntary activity in the Ghanaian energy supply industry, with enterprises being obliged to work within societal norms rather than regulatory standards in the country. In the lens of the level of CSR practiced by the energy supply company, the findings indicate that the companies do practice CSR but based on their own planned policy objectives with most of the interventions geared towards social interventions like education, provision of potable water for communities, scholarship schemes, and road development. Policymakers will make use of the findings of the research to inform their knowledge in designing policies related to CSR. The outcome will also guide corporate firms in the energy sector to make decisions to either consider stakeholders as vital movers of development in the communities they operate, or they are being a hindrance to their CSR mandate. This study is unique as it extends knowledge on CSR in the energy sector of Ghana.


Author(s):  
Wided Batat ◽  
Inas Khochman

Luxury as a field of research has attracted many scholars who examined the potential connections and (in)compatibilities between luxury and corporate social responsibility (CSR). While some studies emphasize the incompatibility between luxury and sustainability, others highlight the important efforts of luxury brands in terms of luxury offerings and sustainable marketing strategies to fit eco-friendly consumers. To foster this research stream, this chapter develops a deeper understanding of the rise and evolvement of CSR in the luxury sector and the major marketing strategies implemented by luxury brands to fit with the needs of today's responsible consumers. The authors will first present a chronological literature review through three key periods, including the underground and advancement stages to the consolidation of sustainable luxury marketing as an established research stream. Then, a framework identifying different luxury CSR strategies will be proposed. Finally, opportunities and futures challenges will be discussed at the end of this chapter.


Author(s):  
Jessica Steinberg

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is the practice in which firms voluntarily provide social and economic goods to communities affected by their operations. This chapter addresses several questions related specifically to CSR in the energy and natural resources sector. How is CSR in the energy sector unique relative to other sectors? What about the energy sector is likely to affect the way CSR among energy or extractive firms is conceived, implemented, and studied? This chapter provides a critical literature review and lays the groundwork for a research agenda in the area of CSR in the energy sector.


2016 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 611-622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacek Lipiec

Purpose This paper aims to examine the performance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) portfolio at the Warsaw Stock Exchange. Design/methodology/approach This paper uses the CSR portfolio of public companies that was selected in a three-step procedure. In total, 23 companies were selected and formed a CSR portfolio that is traded on the Warsaw Stock Exchange under the Respect Index. The Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) is used to compare returns of CSR companies with respect to the market. The performance of this portfolio is measured in the period from 2010 to 2012. Findings This paper finds that the CSR portfolio measured under the Respect Index outperformed market in all time periods from 2010 to 2012. In addition, in 2010, the CSR portfolio exceptionally outperformed the market by almost 80 per cent. In 2011, even though the market was down, the CSR portfolio reported lesser losses: −0.93 vs −1.73 per cent. In the following year, the market regained and the CSR portfolio again outperformed the market by 14 per cent. This paper also finds that the CSR portfolio is more sensitive to systematic risk than to specific risk. In addition, the CSR securities move according to the market trend. Research limitations/implications The limitation of this paper is attributed to a cause-and-effect relationship. In other words, it did not answer whether adopting CSR led to higher profitability or profitability reflected an awareness of market conditions that favored the adoption of CSR. The future research should focus on this issue and indicate whether investors prioritize CSR over profits or vice versa. Practical implications The results indicate that investments in CSR portfolio companies bring abnormal returns to investors. In addition, the CSR portfolio may resist market downturns and even bring exceptional profits to investors. Originality/value This study explains the CSR portfolio’s performance on the Warsaw Stock Exchange by using the CAPM.


2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (3) ◽  
pp. 217-241
Author(s):  
Alan Bandeira Pinheiro ◽  
Thicia Stela Lima Sampaio ◽  
Daniel Barboza Guimarães ◽  
Sílvia Maria Dias Pedro Rebouças

This study examines the effect of the cultural system on the disclosure of corporate social responsibility by companies in the energy sector. The survey analyzed a sample of 62 leading energy companies from 25 countries. The dependent variable is the level of environmental disclosure of the companies. The independent variables are composed by the cultural system of the analyzed countries, according to the Hofstede cultural dimensions. The data were analyzed using descriptive, inferential statistics, correlation, and regression of panel data. The findings show that in more individualistic and masculine cultures, companies disclose more CSR information. It was found that companies based in cultures with a higher level of indulgence and with a greater orientation for the long term tend to have greater environmental disclosure. The results show that the level of disclosure of corporate social responsibility is different depending on the country's cultural system. There are institutional pressures, which encourage companies to publish a more complete sustainability report. The results of this study have academic and managerial implications.


2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rahil Irfan Ahmed ◽  
Guohao Zhao ◽  
Naveed Ahmad ◽  
Umme Habiba

Purpose Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a requirement for energy enterprises as different stakeholders deem environmental and social responsibility the duty. This study aims to explore the determinants that affect CSR disclosure in energy enterprises of developing nations. Design/methodology/approach Panel data of energy companies is used that are listed on Pakistan Stock Exchange. A comprehensive CSR disclosure index is developed using seven themes, i.e. environment, employees, energy, emissions, product, community development and other CSR-related activities. A random effect model of regression is used on the sample of data. Findings The finding of the study reveals that profitability, financial leverage, board size and being a multinational subsidiary has a significant relationship with CSR disclosure level. Research limitations/implications The sample is confined to a certain number of years and publicly traded energy companies. Further studies can explore the relationship of CSR among different groups of firms, such as SMEs, non-listed companies and state-run enterprises to document whether the findings are significant or not. The opinions and ideas of external stakeholders could also be explored using various qualitative methods such as interviews. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first study of its kind whose only focus is energy sector enterprises. A comprehensive scale is used to measure CSR practices. It is helpful for upcoming studies to examine the various aspects of CSR research and figure sound outcome.


2013 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 49-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Lech

The aim of this paper is to examine the impact of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) rules on the financial performance of companies. In a theoretical part the author analyses selected economic theories that might justify a positive relationship between CSR and profitability, as well as explains the mechanism by which CSR might positively enhance economic performance from the stakeholders’ perspective. In an empirical part the author discusses selected econometric studies on the link between CSR and economic performance of companies, both from developed and developing countries. The article also contains the results of the author’s own research on the relationship between CSR and economic performance of the largest Polish companies on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. The scope of the author’s own research is the period 1Q 2010 –IIIQ 2012. The research shows that participation in the Respect Inde X(indicator of CSR in the author’s model) is not statistically significant in determining the financial performance of Polish firms.


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