A corporate social responsibility indicator system for construction enterprises

Abstract

In the construction industry, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is increasingly valued as one factor that will contribute to business sustainable development. Construction enterprises typically develop CSR reports as one way to maintain a positive corporate image. There is a growing body of research which considers the effectiveness of CSR. However, understanding what CSR means to the construction industry, and how to practice it, is limited. This paper develops a framework for CSR indicators relevant to construction enterprises worldwide as a tool for CSR performance. CSR stakeholders are identified through literature review, and these stakeholders are mapped on construction process and corporation to represent stakeholders involved in construction enterprises. Based on stakeholder theory, CSR performance issues related to each stakeholder are developed to show key factors of CSR performance of construction companies, and the indicators are subsequently extracted to reveal specific contents included in these performance issues. The indicator system provides guidance for CSR implementation in the construction industry and enables construction enterprises to assess CSR performance scientifically, which in turn will assist the attainment of business sustainable development. Future research opportunities exist to define a transparent weight system, to investigate the role of contextual factors, and to examine interactions of stakeholders and interactions of indicators in this model.