Redefining Corporate Social Responsibility in an Era of Globalization and Regulatory Hardening


Book Description

Globalization and the growth of multinational enterprises (MNEs) has been accompanied by an increasing call for corporations to take responsibility for their environmental and social impacts, and for greater corporate disclosure and transparency with regard to non-financial risks (collectively known as corporate social responsibility, or CSR). At the same time, governments have increasingly turned to mandatory obligations for formerly voluntary CSR engagement, a trend we call the legalization of CSR. This article analyzes the “hardening” and legalization of CSR, and considers what this process tells us about norms and assumptions regarding the social responsibility of firms in the United States and around the world. Through our analysis of corporate trends, regulations, and case law from the United States, European Union, China, and India, we argue that the process of legalization and redefinition of CSR through a shareholder primacy lens may, troublingly, undermine the very notion of corporate social responsibility. In the face of these trends, this article redefines CSR with a reference to a fresh commitment to corporations' social and ethical responsibility to society.




Redefining Corporate Social Responsibility


Book Description

Through a series of studies of aspects of CSR from around the world, this book re-examines the topic though the lenses of various disciplines and cultures. It shows that the subject is much wider than is generally perceived and that CSR is evolving in a way which has not been generally recognized within the academic community.




Corporate Social Responsibility in the 21st Century


Book Description

As corporate states join the universe of nation states, the challenge of securing both corporate social responsibility and accountability becomes one of the core challenges facing the social and legal order. Bryan Horrigan s masterly, comprehensive account of this protean subject offers an assured guide for future thought and action. Paul Redmond, Professor, University of Technology, Sydney, Australia CSR continues to be one of the most important aspects of business in the global economy receiving much attention from business managers, government leaders and academics. While continuing to increase in prominence, there are many aspects and many approaches evolving in this global phenomenon. In this book Horrigan provides the most complete interdisciplinary analysis of these perspectives yet undertaken combining theoretical insights with practical examples while pointing the way forward towards future developments. David Crowther, Professor, De Montfort University, UK and Social Responsibility Research Network In this book Professor Horrigan brings together the many facets of, and perspectives on, the concept [of CSR]. . . and he places them in the context of the development of thought in the crossover from the 20th to the 21st century. . . I doubt whether such an ambitious and comprehensive account of the concept has been previously attempted. There is no doubt that it is a hugely important subject in today s world; and one which will not go away. I believe that the book will be valuable to all who need to deal with this issue, whether as government officials, regulators, businessmen, lawyers, academics, media commentators or concerned citizens. The Right Honourable Lord Butler of Brockwell KG, GCB, CVO, was Secretary of the United Kingdom Cabinet and Head of the Home Civil Service from 1988 to 1998. 1998 2008 Master of University College Oxford and a Non-Executive Director of ICI plc and of HSBC Holdings, also Chairman of the Board's Corporate Social Responsibility Committee This timely and thorough book offers one of the most wide-ranging, inter-disciplinary, and cross-jurisdictional analyses of corporate social responsibility so far in the 21st century. Professor Bryan Horrigan spans subjects as diverse and topical as global corporate responsibility and governance debates, practical guidelines for responsible businesses and their professional advisers, governmental roles in corporate social responsibility, corporations and human rights, and the new era of enlightened shareholder value . He also highlights an emerging transnational and comparative body of law, regulation, and practice on corporate social responsibility. Illustrated throughout with meaningful controversies and examples, the book also highlights the major recent global developments in corporate social responsibility already this century, focusing especially on Europe, the UK, North America, and Australasia, and charting its future regulatory and research directions worldwide. The book s scholarly foundation, up-to-date coverage, and accessible style will appeal particularly to academic researchers and students of corporate social responsibility in the fields of law, business, management, economics, and political science in a number of countries. It will also be of great interest and use to those whose work involves corporate social responsibility within government, business, and civil society.







Corporate Social Hypocrisy


Book Description

Many new challenges including competitiveness are emerging for sustainable business during this era of disruption. This book analyses these challenges to sustainable development and growth and addresses the impact of corporate social responsibility on the competitiveness of organisations. The authors analyze the major challenges for competitiveness of sustainable business in the COVID-19 era, taking into account a new business environment amid major global risks and uncertainties linked to climate change, pandemics, Russian-Ukrainian war, and intuitions of forthcoming new world economic crisis. The monograph consists of five parts: 1) sustainable development goals and the role of business; 2) climate change, COVID-19, fragile political situation, and business; 3) corporate social responsibility and corporate social hypocrisy; 4) corporate social responsibility, corporate social hypocrisy, and competitiveness of business; and 5) case study on the impact of corporate social responsibility on competitiveness with the impediments of corporate social hypocrisy. The book presents new insights in assessing the impact of CSR on competitiveness of companies with the impediments of corporate social hypocrisy. The developed framework and case study allows to develop valuable policy and managerial implications for sustainable business and engagements in corporate social responsibility as well as to show the danger of corporate social hypocrisy for competitiveness. This book will be of value to researchers, academics, and students in the fields of corporate social responsibility, organizational management, business ethics, and responsible business.




Corporate Social Responsibility and Globalisation


Book Description

Business in a globalised world is no longer only about profit. Companies that operate globally are increasingly being called to account over their social responsibilities to the workforce, local communities and the environment. Companies that take these responsibilities seriously are faced with a plethora of problems and dilemmas. For example, how can companies navigate the sea of tension between observing international rules of conduct and responding to specific local cultural circumstances? How can they ensure social responsibility in the product chain(s) in which they operate? And how can they best contribute to the local economy of developing countries? This book helps companies with good intentions but little experience to find answers to these questions and many others. The book offers concrete guidelines, step-by-step plans and practical examples based on the experiences of 20 diverse, large, medium and small companies that participated in the three-year Dutch programme "Corporate Social Responsibility in an International Context" organised by CSR Netherlands. Corporate Social Responsibility and Globalisation constitutes a guidebook and action plan to enable companies of all sizes to manage risk and seek out opportunities for engagement in their overseas operations.




Corporate Social Responsibility in the Global Business World


Book Description

This book provides an overview of the application of Corporate Social Responsibility in businesses and corporations around the world. Primarily based on real cases, it focuses on different approaches to CSR from a global perspective. It provides a critique of the “wrong” practices often employed even by multinational organizations, and highlights the resultant negative effects. On the other hand the book demonstrates good examples that can help multinationals or even entire countries to achieve both a better reputation and increased profitability. “CSR in the Global Business World” is a rich resource of illustrative cases, serving both as a basis for ongoing research as well as for teaching purposes at the business school level.




SAGE Brief Guide to Corporate Social Responsibility


Book Description

Designed to serve as a supplemental text for courses in business ethics, corporate social responsibility, corporate strategy, and organizational behaviour, this text is also an indispensible companion text for business students to use throughout their full programme of study. It provides objective coverage of key issues in corporate social responsibility, the obligation of companies to various stakeholder groups, the contribution of business to society and culture, and the relationship between organizations and the quality of the environment. Key features of the text include the following: A Reader's Guide that explains how to use the volume Keyword entries featuring comprehensive essays on such crucial topics as strategic corporate social responsibility, strategic philanthropy, corporate social performance, and social audits. A listing of references and suggested readings for each entry, so that readers can find more information on topics of particular interest.




Corporate Social Responsibility


Book Description

The goal of this project is to detail the core, defining principles of strategic CSR that differentiate it as a concept from the rest of the CSR/sustainability/business ethics field. It is designed to be a provocative piece, but one that solidifies the intellectual framework around an emerging concept--strategic CSR.The foundation for these principles comes from my perspective as a management professor within the business school. As such, it is a pragmatic philosophy, oriented around stakeholder theory, that is designed to persuade business leaders who are skeptical of existing definitions and organizing principles of CSR, sustainability, or business ethics. It is also designed to stimulate thought within the community of intellectuals and business school administrators committed to these issues, but who approach them from more traditional perspectives. Ultimately, therefore, the purpose of the strategic CSR concept (and this book) is radical--it aims to redefine both business education and business practice. By building a theory that defines CSR as core to business operations and value creation (as opposed to peripheral practices that can be marginalized within the firm), these defining principles become applicable across the range of operational functions. As such, they redefine how businesses approach these functions in practice, but also redefine how these subjects should be taught in business schools.




Theory and Practice of Corporate Social Responsibility


Book Description

Modern businesses and organizations understand that corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become an important factor for sustainable success. At the same time CSR has established itself as a widely accepted element of courses in managerial training and education. This book, designed to support CSR teaching, collects 14 essays that clearly illustrate and explain the benefits and challenges of socially responsible corporate policies. Aligning theory and practice, the book focuses on four central themes: management, environment and sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and accounting and financial reporting. Business students and experienced managers alike will find this book a valuable resource that helps them to discover the strong forces that link successful management with corporate social responsibility.