Gambling with the Future

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Dauvergne
Keyword(s):  
Multinational Corporations ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Corporate Sustainability ◽  
General Motors ◽  
Environmental Rhetoric ◽  
Air Conditioners ◽  
History Of ◽  
Precautionary Measures ◽  
Corporate Social

This chapter brings to light the risks – and at times grave costs – for human health and ecosystems of companies introducing new technologies and products to compete for profits and markets. New technologies and products can cast dark ecological shadows onto distant ecosystems, poor communities, and future generations. Sometimes these shadows arise from genuine ignorance, as with chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) drifting skyward from refrigerators, hairsprays, and air conditioners to deplete the ozone layer. But other times these shadows arise from arrogance and intentional risk-taking, as in the 1920s when Thomas Midgley, Jr., working for General Motors and DuPont, put tetraethyl lead into gasoline. As this chapter shows, corporations have a long history of deploying anti-environmental rhetoric to subvert calls for precautionary measures. Since the mid-2000s, however, the executives of multinational corporations have been avoiding straightforward greenwash, preferring a rhetoric of corporate sustainability and corporate social responsibility. To some extent this eco-business strategy is improving efficiency and reducing waste (on a per product basis), but it is not translating into a stronger precautionary approach for the introduction of new technologies and products.

scholarly journals Corporate Social Responsibility: Past, Present, And Success Strategy For The Future

2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad Ahmadian ◽  
Shahrzad Khosrowpour
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Corporate Citizenship ◽  
Social Responsiveness ◽  
Strategic Philanthropy ◽  
Corporate Social Responsiveness ◽  
History Of ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Specific Interests

Recently, scholars and managers have devoted greater attention to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its strategic implications. With more awareness surrounding the topic it would be expected for there to be a consensus on a definition, but as of yet none has been reached. The lack of a universally accepted definition has led some to define it as a term, a concept, a process, a theory, while others simply call it an activity or set of activities (Hazlett & Murray, 2007). CSR has been also captioned under many names. Terms such as corporate citizenship, global citizenship, corporate social responsiveness, strategic philanthropy, and even spiritual capitalism are sometimes used interchangeably, depending on the organization to use it. Often, these numerous monikers and interpretations lead to confusion amongst those intending to study or implement the practice into their business strategy. This uncertainty on how CSR should be defined has led some academics and practitioners to believe that the concept is void of any definition. Contrary to this belief, others find that there is an overabundance of definitions; many of which are “often biased toward specific interests and thus prevent the development and implementation of the concept” (Dahlsrud, 2008). Our study focuses on the importance of CSR and why it’s becoming so prevalent in any organizations. By studying the history of CSR, its many definitions, as well as its implementation methods, we attempt to suggest strategic alternatives for an effective corporate social responsibility.  

Philanthropy, CSR and Sustainability

2011 ◽  
pp. 1281-1304
Author(s):  
Arun Sahay
Keyword(s):  
Business Strategy ◽  
Corporate Sustainability ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Usual Practice ◽  
The Social ◽  
Values And Beliefs ◽  
Strategic Csr ◽  
Social Cause ◽  
The Developed Countries ◽  
Corporate Social

Despite business’s business being business, the business owners have been doing acts of benevolence depending upon the owner’s religion, faith, values and beliefs. Establishment of temples, mosques, churches, schools, hospitals etc. has been usual practice through which firms have shown their concern about the society and made contribution to the social cause. However, of late, it is observed that progressive businesses, after understanding the nuances of sustainable development and its reporting, have moved from philanthropic mode of contributing to society to the concept of Corporate Social Responsibity (CSR). Some of them have gone beyond CSR and have entered the domain of Strategic CSR. In the process, a new concept of Corporate Sustainability, which is based on Triple Bottom-line concept, has emerged in strategic management literature. Thus, today CSR activities are being aligned with the business strategy of the firm. In the developed countries, firms are increasingly integrating CSR with the core business activities e.g. innovation, marketing, finance etc. This article attempts to look into firm’s CSR and corporate sustainability with special reference to a developing country - India.

scholarly journals CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY: SEBUAH KENISCAYAAN STRATEGI BISNIS DI INDONESIA

IQTISHODUNA ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nila Firdausi Nuzula
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Corporate Sustainability ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Global Business ◽  
Financial Return ◽  
Good Relationship ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
And Behavior

There is a new trend that corporation focus not only to maximize wealth for the stockholder and to pursue short term profit but also to maintain its sustainability. CSR as a global business strategy and behavior has been a need for long term corporate sustainability. CSR supports good relationship between corporate and the stakeholders. As a strategy, CSR is a must for developing social capital and for financial and long term non-financial return.

scholarly journals BUSINESS STRATEGY AND CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY: PERCEPTION AND PRACTICE IN THE OIL INDUSTRY AND THE ROLE OF NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS

2014 ◽  
Vol 15 (5) ◽  
pp. 951-963 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asad K. Ghalib ◽  
Patricia Agupusi
Keyword(s):  
Multinational Corporations ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Corporate Responsibility ◽  
Oil Industry ◽  
Ethical Standards ◽  
Short Term ◽  
External Stakeholders ◽  
Responsible Behaviour ◽  
Corporate Social

This paper examines the strategies for the implementation of corporate social responsibility of various multinationals, with a particular focus on the oil industry. The role of non-governmental organisations towards inducing a more responsible behaviour is explored. By drawing on literature and reflecting on documented actions of various multinational corporations, particularly from the extractive sector, we find a commonalty that cuts across the board: a considerable disparity exists between policies, strategies and actions that these organisations display in the interest of their inherent, short-term economic gains. Such gains jeopardize interests of both internal and external stakeholders as well as the environment especially in the developing world. We argue that the disparity in implementation can be linked to weak structural institutions and lack of ethical standards in most developing countries.

scholarly journals Black Power in the Boardroom: Corporate America, the Sullivan Principles, and the Anti-Apartheid Struggle

2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 170-209
Author(s):  
JESSICA ANN LEVY
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Civil Rights ◽  
Black Power ◽  
Code Of Conduct ◽  
General Motors ◽  
American Business ◽  
Corporate America ◽  
Corporate Code ◽  
History Of ◽  
Corporate Social

This article traces the history of General Motors’ first black director, Leon Sullivan, and his involvement with the Sullivan Principles, a corporate code of conduct for U.S. companies doing business in Apartheid South Africa. Building on and furthering the postwar civil rights and anti-colonial struggles, the international anti-apartheid movement brought together students, union workers, and religious leaders in an effort to draw attention to the horrors of Apartheid in South Africa. Whereas many left-leaning activists advocated sanctions and divestment, others, Sullivan among them, helped lead the way in drafting an alternative strategy for American business, one focused on corporate-sponsored black empowerment. Moving beyond both narrow criticisms of Sullivan as a “sellout” and corporate propaganda touting the benefits of the Sullivan Principles, this work draws on corporate and “movement” records to reveal the complex negotiations between white and black executives as they worked to situate themselves in relation to anti-racist movements in the Unites States and South Africa. In doing so, it furthermore reveals the links between modern corporate social responsibility and the fight for Black Power within the corporation.

Philanthropy, CSR and Sustainability

2010 ◽  
pp. 75-99
Author(s):  
Arun Sahay
Keyword(s):  
Business Strategy ◽  
Corporate Sustainability ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Usual Practice ◽  
The Social ◽  
Values And Beliefs ◽  
Strategic Csr ◽  
Social Cause ◽  
The Developed Countries ◽  
Corporate Social

Despite business’s business being business, the business owners have been doing acts of benevolence depending upon the owner’s religion, faith, values and beliefs. Establishment of temples, mosques, churches, schools, hospitals etc. has been usual practice through which firms have shown their concern about the society and made contribution to the social cause. However, of late, it is observed that progressive businesses, after understanding the nuances of sustainable development and its reporting, have moved from philanthropic mode of contributing to society to the concept of Corporate Social Responsibity (CSR). Some of them have gone beyond CSR and have entered the domain of Strategic CSR. In the process, a new concept of Corporate Sustainability, which is based on Triple Bottom-line concept, has emerged in strategic management literature. Thus, today CSR activities are being aligned with the business strategy of the firm. In the developed countries, firms are increasingly integrating CSR with the core business activities e.g. innovation, marketing, finance etc. This article attempts to look into firm’s CSR and corporate sustainability with special reference to a developing country - India.

scholarly journals Understanding the Conceptual Evolutionary Path and Theoretical Underpinnings of Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Sustainability

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 760 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mehrnaz Ashrafi ◽  
Gregory M. Magnan ◽  
Michelle Adams ◽  
Tony R. Walker
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Business Strategy ◽  
Corporate Sustainability ◽  
Relevant Literature ◽  
Strategic Decisions ◽  
Sustainable Business ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Corporate Choice

To unlock the potential for corporations to play a more proactive role in sustainable development, it is critical to have a fundamental understanding of the pathways leading to a responsible and sustainable business. This study explores contributions of theories of the firm in explicating why and how integrating corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate sustainability (CS) into business strategic decisions and operation processes helps to improve the viability of corporations. The research objective is addressed through a narrative review of relevant literature by following the developmental and evolutionary sequences in business responsibility and sustainability while contemplating the connections between CSR and CS through the lens of the dominant theoretical perspectives underpinning the concepts. The study posits an integrative theoretical framework that offers supports for embedding CSR and CS into a corporate business strategy. It discusses that corporate choice of CSR and CS actions and policies is supported by dual internal and external mechanisms based on resource-based theory and institutional theory. This is to meet the interests and expectations of internal and external stakeholders, the basis upon which stakeholder theory is constructed. Findings from this review corroborate the proposition that the three theories of resource-based, institutional, and stakeholder could be used as the primary approach to explain corporate recognition of the need for CSR and CS, and further build a coherent platform to support corporate choice and adoption of CSR and CS in business strategy.

Corporate Social Responsibility Rhetoric in Times of Crises. A Rhetorical Analysis of CSR Reports Prior to and After Major Corporate Crises

MedienJournal ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-50
Author(s):  
Maria Gruber
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Rhetorical Analysis ◽  
General Motors ◽  
Csr Reporting ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting ◽  
One Year ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Corporate Crises ◽  
Corporate Crisis

Corporate Social Responsibility reporting has grown increasingly in importance for companies in terms of portraying themselves as good corporate citizens. However, when confronted with a major corporate crisis that evoked an extensive loss in stakeholders’ trust, it remained unclear, how to further deal with the need for CSR communication without presenting oneself as exceedingly hypocritical. In the course of this study, the questions of how and to what extent crises cause change in a corporation’s CSR rhetoric were addressed. Therefore, the utilization of the rhetorical dimensions of logos, ethos, pathos, cosmos and autopoiesis as well as the amount of negative disclosure in the CSR reports of the world’s leading automobile companies (Toyota, General Motors, Volkswagen) were analyzed, one year before and one year after they had maneuvered themselves into a corporate crisis. The rhetorical analysis revealed that the distinctive context of each case (including the corporations’ responsibility for the crisis) dictated the rhetorical adjustments of the CSR reporting after the crisis. Moreover, it could be shown, that when reporting on the crisis cause itself, corporations tend to apply the dimension of ethos more frequently to counter the audience’s potential perception of their hypocrisy.

What is Green Chemistry? An Overview

Think India ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 13-19
Author(s):  
Debarati Das Gupta
Keyword(s):  
Core Competencies ◽  
Corporate Sustainability ◽  
High Water ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
Business Policy ◽  
Food Grains ◽  
Marine Products ◽  
Training Programmes ◽  
Management Students ◽  
Corporate Social

ITC Limited is a multi-business conglomerate that has, among its business portfolio Agri-Business, that has grown since its inception in 1990 to be one of Indias largest exporters of agricultural products, with core competencies in select commodities like feed ingredients, food grains, marine products, processed fruits, contributing 56% of nearly US$ 5.4 billion of ITCs foreign exchange earnings over the last ten years (2013). However, the very nature of the business makes it highly dependent on water, a scarce natural resource. Infact, in a research done by the United Nations Population Fund (November 6, 2003), as much as two-thirds of the worlds population is predicted to be under high water stress in 2025. To meet these qualms, ITC has formulated an innovative model - the Soil and Moisture Conservation Programme. This Situational Case Study, targeted towards management students, studying Corporate Governance, Strategic Management, Business Environment, Business Policy, aims to identify the embedded sustainability model of ITCs Agri-business division, analyse it in terms of its challenges and impact, and initiate discussion about Corporate Sustainability vis-a-vis Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). This original work may also be undertaken for developmental related workshops/ training programmes for students and working professionals of innovation, CSR, sustainability and shared, among others, in various Chambers of Commerce and Academic forums on the same. It is, however, not intended to serve as an endorsement, source of data, or illustration of effective or ineffective management. Certain names and information could have been disguised for confidentiality.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document