Disability as a Blind Spot in Sustainability Frameworks and Standards

After an accident or illness, returning to work can be difficult or even impossible. Although Occupational health and safety (OHS) is an important and central element of Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and is included in all international CSR frameworks and standards as well as in most CSR strategies of companies, in the event that an employee becomes ill or has an accident and then needs support in returning to work or vocational rehabilitation, it is rarely a part of CSR strategies. Vocational rehabilitation as an element of CSR has also received little attention in the literature so far. The aim of this study is therefore to examine whether and to what extent vocational rehabilitation and also the employment of people with disabilities are taken into account in the popular CSR frameworks and standards. The research is based on a comprehensive search of published peer-reviewed literature. For the in-depth analysis, the most popular CSR frameworks, guidelines, firms' rating indices, management systems and certification schemes were selected and evaluated, using deductive content analysis. The results of the analysis show that although OHS is a central topic in all international CSR frameworks and standards, vocational rehabilitation and the employment of people with disabilities, or rather disability in general, are not taken into account. The conclusion suggests that the promotion of vocational rehabilitation and the employment of people with disabilities can be substantially promoted by implementation and consideration in CSR frameworks and standards. Irrespective of this, the implementation of vocational rehabilitation and the employment of people with disabilities as part of the CSR strategy and its implementation in business practice should be further investigated.

Download Full-text

Social inclusion and competitiveness of companies: Employing people with disabilities

10.20850/9781534299153 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Boris Miethlich

Keyword(s):

Social Responsibility ◽

Corporate Culture ◽

Business Performance ◽

Social Inclusion ◽

Best Practice ◽

People With Disabilities ◽

Csr Strategies ◽

The Social ◽

Csr Strategy ◽

Corporate Social

Work enables participation in society. However, people with disabilities are particularly often affected by unemployment and thus by social exclusion. The social inclusion of people with disabilities, by promoting employment, can only be achieved by companies themselves. Deliberately employing people with disabilities, therefore, represents an important social responsibility of companies towards society. Evidence from the literature shows that corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, as well as social inclusion, are more than just a commitment and can bring various benefits to a company. The aim of the present study is therefore to analyse the case for promoting the employment of people with disabilities to show whether and to what extent social inclusion as part of the CSR strategy can contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of companies. The topic is viewed and analysed from different perspectives, using five dedicated journal papers, mainly based on qualitative data. The results reveal first insights as well as trends and tendencies and provide a basis for subsequent studies. They show that social inclusion as part of the CSR strategy can increase a company's competitiveness and business performance, presumed the company succeeds in creating a corporate culture that accepts and promotes social inclusion on one hand and creates awareness for CSR initiatives among stakeholders on the other. Simultaneously, governmental frameworks that respond positively to and expect sustainable development or social inclusion can provide additional and significant support to these concerns. Due to the limited literature and research on the subject, further research is necessary. In particular, there is a lack of best practice approaches on how social inclusion can be promoted in companies and implemented in CSR strategies.

Download Full-text

Social inclusion and competitiveness of companies: Employing people with disabilities

10.20850/9781534299146 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Boris Miethlich

Keyword(s):

Social Responsibility ◽

Corporate Culture ◽

Business Performance ◽

Social Inclusion ◽

Best Practice ◽

People With Disabilities ◽

Csr Strategies ◽

The Social ◽

Csr Strategy ◽

Corporate Social

Download Full-text

Evaluation of Corporate Social Responsibility Performance in Air Transport Enterprise

Journal of Public Administration and Governance ◽

10.5296/jpag.v10i2.16645 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 261

Author(s):

Dimitrios J. Dimitriou

Keyword(s):

Corporate Social Responsibility ◽

Social Responsibility ◽

Decision Makers ◽

Enterprise Management ◽

Assessment Framework ◽

Analysis Framework ◽

Csr Strategies ◽

Csr Strategy ◽

Effectiveness And Efficiency ◽

Corporate Social

The key objective of this paper is to present the dimensions and the characteristics of an airport enterprise management engagement in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). By analyzing different strategies and plans towards CSR, applied in a sample of 15 European airports, the comprehensiveness is defined, providing the assessment framework of the airports CSR effectiveness and efficiency. Conventional wisdom is to provide a CSR assessment framework applied on airport industry. The methodology based on the competitive analysis framework, driven by benchmarking analysis applied to a group of European airports engaged in different CSR strategies. Defining the key actions of the airports CSR strategy, an assessment framework to review how this strategy meets social goals is developed. The airport strategy is reviewed considering the aviation business characteristics such as, traffic and regional GDP. Based on data collected from 15 busy European airports, the comprehensiveness of CSR strategy for this business sector considering stakeholders’ theory is investigated. The outputs provide key messages to decision makers, managers, and stakeholders towards CSR comprehensiveness of the airport operators.

Download Full-text

Creating Shared Value Through Implementing Vocational Rehabilitation In The Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy: A Literature Review

10.33543/16001.14441460 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 1444-1460 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Boris Miethlich ◽

Ľudomír Šlahor

Keyword(s):

Corporate Social Responsibility ◽

Social Responsibility ◽

Return To Work ◽

Vocational Rehabilitation ◽

Occupational Safety ◽

Essential Element ◽

Essential Elements ◽

Shared Value ◽

Csr Strategy ◽

Corporate Social

After an accident or illness, it may be difficult or even impossible to return to work. Although occupational safety and health (OHS) are essential elements of corporate social responsibility (CSR), support for employees returning to work or vocational rehabilitation are rarely part of the CSR strategy. The aim of this paper is to assess and synthesize the current state of research of vocational rehabilitation in the context of CSR. A literature analysis was conducted to examine the need to address vocational rehabilitation as part of the CSR strategy as well as the existing approaches for implementation. Vocational rehabilitation is an important part of a company's social responsibility towards its employees as well as towards society. The promotion of vocational rehabilitation should be an essential element of the CSR strategy and can create shared value. However, a commitment to vocational rehabilitation alone is not enough; the commitment must be explicitly described and go beyond the legal minimum. That can be done, for example, through return-to-work (RTW) policies, proactive initiation and coordination of the rehabilitation process, the adaptation of the workplace and work activities, the institutionalization of sheltered workplaces, and a specialist unit for vocational rehabilitation within the company. Particularly access for external persons to the company's sheltered workplaces, internships or entry-level positions is a critical aspect for substantially promoting vocational rehabilitation and achieving additional shared value. Vocational rehabilitation as part of the CSR strategy must continue to be examined empirically, in particular "best practice" approaches from business practice.

Download Full-text

Wealth redistribution between stakeholders

Archives of Business Research ◽

10.14738/abr.811.9301 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (11) ◽

pp. 27-35

Author(s):

Samia JIRARI ◽

Mounime El Kabbouri ◽

Sidi Mohamed Rigar

Keyword(s):

Sustainable Development ◽

Stock Exchange ◽

Inclusive Growth ◽

Socially Responsible ◽

Csr Strategies ◽

Wealth Redistribution ◽

Sustainable Economy ◽

Csr Strategy ◽

Wise Choice ◽

Corporate Social

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a very popular concept that hits the headline recently, companies face the obligation, not only to maintain their viability to ensure the sustainability of their business by continuing to create value, but to adopt a mode of governance that combines interests of all stakeholders. A CSR strategy is becoming more and more an obligation than just a wise choice. The strong involvement of Moroccan companies in CSR strategies is not by coincidence; but fits perfectly into the Kingdom's strategy, which adheres to the principles of sustainable development and CSR, for a sustainable economy and an inclusive growth. The purpose of this empirical study is to examine the shareholder’s engagement and the degree of involvement in CSR strategy, of a sample of 45 Moroccan companies listed on the Casablanca Stock Exchange and belonging to all sectors other than banking, insurance and equity investments, that claim to be socially responsible, through an analysis of the redistribution of their created value towards five categories of primary stakeholders, that are: lenders of funds, customers, suppliers, shareholders and employees.

Download Full-text

Employment of Persons with Disabilities as Competitive Advantage: An Analysis of the Competitive Implications

10.33543/16002/71467158 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 7146-7158 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Boris Miethlich ◽

Anett Oldenburg

Keyword(s):

Competitive Advantage ◽

Corporate Culture ◽

People With Disabilities ◽

Competitive Advantages ◽

Sustainable Competitive Advantage ◽

Skilled Workers ◽

Persons With Disabilities ◽

Csr Strategy ◽

Customer Segment ◽

Corporate Social

People with disabilities (PWD) represent a largely untapped market and customer segment worldwide, as well as an enormous untapped workforce potential. Although there are indications in the literature that the employment of PWD can bring many advantages for companies, the effects on companies and the resulting competitive advantages have rarely been empirically investigated. This article aims to analyze the competitive implications of the employment of PWD, as part of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy. The research is based on a literature review. The selected literature was evaluated regarding the competitive advantage using the value-rarityimitability- organisation (VRIO) framework. The results show that the employment of PWD is valuable, rare, and costly to imitate. If a company succeeds in using this resource effectively, this leads to a sustainable competitive advantage. An established corporate culture is a mandatory prerequisite to integrate PWD successfully. This prerequisite represents an imitation barrier. The promotion of the employment of PWD gives access to a new pool of applicants and can contribute to mitigating or preventing a future shortage of skilled workers. The employment of PWD does not wear off as a human resource. The concept can be transferred to different technologies, products, and markets. The sensitivity gained about people with disabilities can open new markets and customer segments. Therefore, PWD's employment as part of the value creation strategy can make a long-term contribution to the company's success and represent a sustainable competitive advantage.

Download Full-text

Hiring People with Disabilities as a CSR strategy in the Tourism Industry

Tourism Analysis ◽

10.3727/108354220x15758302602547 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Mehmet Ali Köseoglu ◽

Alice Hon ◽

Valentini Kalargyrou ◽

Fevzi Okumus

Keyword(s):

People With Disabilities ◽

Tourism Industry ◽

Governmental Organizations ◽

Non Governmental Organizations ◽

Barriers To Employment ◽

Self Interest ◽

Csr Strategy ◽

Hr Managers ◽

Corporate Social ◽

People With Physical Disabilities

According to corporate social responsibility (CSR), firms should conduct activities focusing not only on the self-interest of the firm but also on benefitting society. Drawing on the CSR approach, this study investigates the barriers to employment for people with physical disabilities (PWPDs) in the Hong Kong (HK) tourism industry. Forty-seven human resources (HR) managers, directors, and members of the HK Hotel Association were interviewed. The main barriers to employing PWPDs include firms’ lack of intent to employ people with disabilities (PWDs), the physical layout of organizations, the lack of an HR management model related to PWDs, and the lack of communication between industry and related non-governmental organizations (NGOs) related to PWPDs.

Download Full-text

The Opinions of European Companies on Corporate Social Responsibility and Its Relation to Innovation

Issues in Social and Environmental Accounting ◽

10.22164/isea.v1i2.18 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 1 (2) ◽

pp. 276 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

M. Victoria López-Pérez ◽

Mª Carmen Perez-Lopez ◽

Lazaro Rodriguez-Ariza

Keyword(s):

Social Responsibility ◽

Competitive Advantages ◽

Socially Responsible ◽

Csr Strategies ◽

General Index ◽

Key Factor ◽

Csr Strategy ◽

Dow Jones Sustainability Index ◽

Corporate Social ◽

Innovation Practices

In recent years there has been greater concern among companies to include responsible practices in their goals. To achieve this aim, companies are beginning to manage economic, social and environmental factors following socially responsible practices. Adopting a strategy of Corporate <br />Social Responsibility (CSR) may influence the different policies implemented by the company, one of which is that regarding innovation. In this study, we analyze the opinions of 95 European companies, 42 of which form part of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) and 53 of which belong to the Dow Jones General Index (DJGI), concerning their CSR policy, the innovation carried out and the relation between the two concepts. Our results show that the DJSI companies, unlike those belonging to the DJGI, consider their CSR strategy to be a key factor in generating competitive advantages and profits. Moreover, the companies surveyed have implemented innovations that are more incremental than radical, and these innovation practices are found to be influenced by CSR strategies. <br /><br />

Download Full-text

Global and Local CSR Strategies in Foreign-Owned Subsidiaries: The Role of Networks and Competencies

Multidisciplinary Business Review ◽

10.35692/07183992.13.2.3 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 17-31

Author(s):

Sven Dahms

Keyword(s):

Value Chain ◽

Qualitative Comparative Analysis ◽

Analytical Techniques ◽

Strategy Development ◽

Csr Strategies ◽

Csr Strategy ◽

Network Strength ◽

Corporate Social ◽

Global And Local

The purpose of this research is to investigate the role of networks and competency dimensions in determining the corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy of foreign-owned subsidiaries. Survey data has been collected from subsidiary managing directors and analysed using structured equation modelling and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis techniques. We show that networks and competencies can have competing as well as complementary effects on the global and local CSR strategies. For instance, inter-organisational network strength and competencies in high primary value chain activities seem to drive global as well as local CSR activities. However, the case is more complex for intra-organisational network relationships and subsidiaries with competencies in supporting value chain activities. The originality of this paper lies in the detailed investigation of how network relationships and competencies affect global and local CSR strategy development. We also provide novelty in applying a combination of symmetric (SEM-PLS) and non-symmetric (fsQCA) analytical techniques.

Download Full-text

Do stakeholders really demand CSR?

Strategic Direction ◽

10.1108/sd-08-2016-0115 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 32 (11) ◽

pp. 13-15

Keyword(s):

Best Practices ◽

Competitive Advantage ◽

Corporate Disclosure ◽

Content Type ◽

Csr Strategies ◽

Economic View ◽

Csr Strategy ◽

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 First, on a theoretical level and in terms of corporate disclosure on corporate social responsibility (CSR), a large gap in how the economic view and the CSR view of competition are represented was noticed. Second, the limitations of the competitive advantage obtained by CSR strategy was observed while the “demand for virtue” is weak even if the stakeholders’ “expectations” for responsible practices are strong. The author proposes a typology of CSR strategies related to competitive situations. Third, the author underlines the paradox of the CSR competitive advantage: specifically, it is gained only if not imitable, i.e. if companies prevent the mimetic practices which could spread best practices for sustainable development. 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.

Download Full-text