Corporate social responsibility between public policy and enterprise policy

At a time of increased asymmetries between labour and capital in a globalised capitalism, the symmetrical expression of 'social partners' was widely adopted, especially in the language of the European Union. As the spatial ties of capital loosened, the community-oriented concept 'corporate citizenship' became popular in the rhetoric of 'corporate social responsibility'. The chapter relates and contrasts those concepts with the democratic nationalism of the Nordic model of welfare, especially, with the idea of extending democracy by means of collective labour market agreements and with the concept of 'created harmony', elaborated by Gunnar Myrdal. The chapter argues that the newer harmony-and-symmetry-laden concepts reflect emphases on a competitive community in the framework of globalized capitalism. While fulfilling the imperatives of 'our' competitiveness, a competition state seems to point to the notion of a warm community, based on personified ties, rather than to the notion of a cool society that consists of structures and interests and framed the making of Nordic-type welfare states.

Mandatory CSR – Can It Help Indian Firms?

Businesses do run with morality. The world largely understands that the businesses are dependent on the transactional excellence however the business community has learnt the tough lesson of infusing morality into business. Ethics govern the businesses. Business ethics is the study of appropriate business policies and practices regarding potentially controversial subjects including corporate governance, insider trading, bribery, discrimination, corporate social responsibility, and compliance etc. The Principles of Business Ethic includes Honesty & Integrity, Trustworthiness, Loyalty, Transparency, Respect for Others and Law Abiding. These virtues further support the Organisations to meet their Social Responsibilities.
 This paper is an Exploratory & Descriptive study conducted with the help of massively secondary data and Primary Data in the form of Interview Method. The Authors have Interviewed 5 Industry representatives to collect the view points on the theme of the study. The Study aims to understand the significance of Business Ethics and CSR for Organizations. It further aims to review the existing literature pertaining to the Business Ethics and CSR. The Authors also aim to study the Business ethics and CSR perspectives with special reference to manufacturing sector. The scope of the study comprises of the thoughtful review of the Business Ethics and CSR. Also the study has the potential to be a literature for further studies in this regard. The Authors have considered the Business Ethics and CSR as a generalized study with specifics related to the selected Company representative Interviews. The Theme of the study may have various other elements associated. Hence this may be a limitation of the study as the inferences are indicative in nature rather exhaustive.

Corporate social responsibilitysocial responsibility (CSR) Corporate Social Responsibility often involves the development of network relations as both private and government actors invest in and draw upon social capital (Habisch & Moon, 2006). CSR necessitates legal compliance as well as 'customary ethicsEthics' (Carroll, 1991). In this context, it seems that a motivation for CSR may be borne out as a necessity to offset the threat of regulation. 'Many companies prefer to be one step ahead of government legislation or intervention, to anticipate social pressures themselves', (Moon & Richardson, 1985, p. 137 in Crane, Matten, & Spence, 2008, p. 308). Therefore, non-governmental organisations (NGOs Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) ) Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) sought to step into the regulatory vacuum created by the inadequacies of both national governments and international institutions to regulate multinational corporations Corporations (MNCs Multinational Corporations (MNC) ) by forging alliances with consumers, institutional investors and companies themselves (Newell, 2000, pp. 117–118). While they cannot replace the role of the state, these social movements have created new mechanisms of global business regulation. According to Knill and Lehmkuhl (2002, p. 442); global corporate responsibility is intended to compensate for the decreasing capacities of national governments for providing public goods. CSR may have represented an effort to challenge the increasing reluctance of national governments to impose regulations on global firms that could have discouraged domestic investment. Hence, the aim of this chapter is to better understand how business and government may become more aligned with regards to the regulatory aspect of CSR. This contribution suggests that there is scope for governments to take an active leading role in triggering responsible behaviours among firms. The businesses themselves will realise that appropriate environmentalEnvironment, social and governance Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) regulations can bring in economic value as well.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to question the status of trade unions on corporate social responsibility (CSR) today in the European Union (EU). How do they go from being social partners to a full‐fledged stakeholder status? The paper examines this question both from the point of view of stakeholder theory and from a field study in three different European countries.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology is qualitative, i.e. based on a series of face‐to‐face interviews conducted in three different European countries (France, Germany, the UK) with different stakeholders, union representatives, non‐governmental organizations, experts, employers' associations.FindingsThe main findings are: inadequacy between stakeholder theory and the reality of European trade unionism and the CSR debate; trade unions are not “natural” stakeholders, rather “stake‐seekers”; the national business approach is relevant, in that national differences account for major differences among the three countries studied; and the European and global implications of trade unions into CSR help them gain full stakeholder status.Research limitations/implicationsThe sample is a bit limited; it would be interesting to enlarge the scope of European countries. Also, it would also be relevant to interview shop‐floor members to analyze the gap between union officials and rank and file members.Practical implicationsThis paper can help unions consider CSR in a better way, so as to integrate CSR issues into their agenda.Social implicationsThe status of trade unions in the CSR debate has largely been overlooked, whereas their role in European countries is quite important.Originality/valueThere has been very little previous research on trade unions and CSR. The cross‐cultural dimension of this research and the EU dimension add value to the paper.

Introduction. Corporate social responsibility has recently evolved from a concept into a comprehensive, meaningful, and in-depth policy, with the help of business organisations becoming a responsible element of society. Although it enjoys increased interest at the global and European levels, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is still not a widespread practice in the policies of Bulgarian micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises. Aim and tasks. The aim is to identify the main specific features of the implementation of CSR in Bulgarian conditions, as well as the attitudes of management towards a stronger advocacy of various CSR initiatives, both internal and external to the company. Results. This study is based on data from a survey conducted among representatives of Bulgarian micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises operating in different sectors of the economy. The analysis of the data from a survey of 205 companies shows that CSR is perceived mainly as a tool for improving the image and meeting the expectations of customers and partners. Taking care of employees is the most common practice (45%), while initiatives aimed at the community and environment remains more limited and often episodic. Most companies do not have a formal CSR policy (41.5%), with top management leading the way in introducing CSR initiatives. It was found that attitudes towards CSR were positive. However, a lack of institutional incentives and limited resources hinders the more systematic integration of socially responsible practices. Top management (51%) initiates CSR in Bulgarian companies, making it more fragmented than strategically integrated. Most respondents (72%) see CSR as a way to improve image, but 55% consider such investments difficult to justify. The main barrier to development is the lack of government support. This pattern, where 51% of initiatives come from managers, shows that CSR is an image rather than a strategic initiative. Although companies value reputational benefits (72% for image and 67% for expected customers), only 16% have specialised CSR departments. The main obstacle remains the lack of adequate government policy, with more than 50% of respondents agreeing. Conclusions. CSR in Bulgaria is perceived mainly as a means of building a reputation, but its practical implementation remains limited by resource and institutional factors. A trend towards strengthening internal practices and readiness for broader integration of external initiatives under the pressure of the international market and regulation. In this sense, CSR in Bulgarian enterprises can be defined as a practice in the process of institutionalisation, the development of which requires both more active management commitment and the creation of a stimulating environment at the national level.

Chaos as opportunity

This report aims to contribute to the development of a best practice guide for public authorities on monitoring and enforcing rules and regulations relevant to labour market intermediaries to prevent trafficking for labour exploitation. The report brings together research findings on two main areas: how labour market intermediaries are regulated by public authorities in the different Member States, and to what extent social partners’ activities contribute to preventing trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation. The main focus of the report is on trafficking for the purpose of labour exploitation and does not cover trafficking for sexual exploitation. The report is based on information provided by Eurofound’s network of European correspondents across all 28 EU Member States and Norway

'Here's a work arriving just at the right moment and contributingnew insights at precisely the time when public opinion remains sceptical of the not very promising future we are preparing for our children, when governments balk at explaining to their electorates the vital but unpopular decisions that have to be taken and when civil society, with few ways and means, is finally becoming involved. This remarkable work will help all actors to understand the inter-linkages between economic activities and the environment in the Mediterranean Basin and take concerted, effective action to build a positive, sustainable future' Mohamed Ennabli, former Minister of the Environment and Land Use Panning, Tunisia 'The Blue Plan has carried out a remarkable assessment of the serious environmental probems and insufficiently targeted cooperation in the Mediterranean, and also of new financing systems to be implemented, which would increase the capacities of local authorities and economic and social partners' Georges Corm, former Minister of Finance, Lebanon The Mediterranean Basin and its surrounding countries is a microcosm of the environmental and sustainability challenges facing people across the world. Depending on the development path it takes in the future, the region can either become a positive model for the regional regulation of globalization, or, more onerously, it might reinforce global instability. This unique volume is the definitive, authoritative assessment of the environment and development of the Mediterranean Basin and its 22 countries and territories, spanning five decades from 30 years in the past to 20 years into the future. Produced by the Blue Plan within the framework of UNEP/Mediterranean Action Plan and backed by the EU and national governments, it brings together the work of more than 100 researchers from dozens of national, regional and local governments and research groups into the only comprehensive insight into sustainable development issues in the region. Core coverage includes water, energy, transport, cities, rural and coastal areas, as well as related issues such as climate change, population growth, geopolitical changes, unemployment and poverty, pollution, economic and environmental policies, regional cooperation and the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership. Information is clearly presented through hundreds of full-colour maps, graphs, tables and a wealth of case studies. This is a must-have reference for all levels of government, NGOs and libraries, as well as practitioners, academics and businesses involved in economics, natural resource management, land and maritime transport, water, energy, infrastructure, urban and rural development, agriculture, fishing and aquaculture, tourism and coastal management. Countries and territories covered: Spain, France, Italy, Monaco, Malta, Cyprus, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro, Albania, Greece, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Palestinian Territories, Israel, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco. Preface by Lucien Chabason, Chairman of the Blue Plan.

Introduction. The identification of the interdependent development of society and business contributed to the introduction of corporate social responsibility in entrepreneurship as a guarantee of obtaining from its activity not only an economic effect but also the stimulation of social and environmental development. After all, the development of society requires constant changes in the consumption of various types of goods and services under the condition of a safe level of ecology and agriculture as the basis of food security in society, which necessitates the stimulation of productive activities of corporate social responsibility in agrarian business and its serving industries.
 Aim and tasks. The aim of the study is an analysis of the strategic development of international corporate social responsibility in agribusiness. The main tasks are: to investigate the modern strategic directions of the development of corporate social responsibility, focusing on agrarian businesses, to identify problems and find resources to overcome them.
 Results. Strategies for the development of corporate social responsibility in business are generally formed in relation to the goals and directions of the development of business activity and aim, as a final result, to increase the level of development of business activity, society, and preservation and protection of the environment. Social, ecological, economic, intra-economic, and external strategic directions of CSR influence have been identified, with implementation carried out directly by enterprise employees or with the assistance of interested participants, or "stakeholders." An analysis of CSR business strategies was carried out with the aim of forming the optimal option for obtaining mutual benefits for all interested parties. It was determined that the relevant strategies do not have permanence and need improvement, correction, and adaptation in accordance with evolutionary changes in the development of society.
 Conclusions. The process of implementing CSR in business has a long-term nature and requires determining the optimal relationship between the chosen areas of social responsibility development in combination with the economic activity of business structures. The main directions of CSR development in agribusiness are assistance and promotion of the development and motivation of labor personnel; introduction of waste-free economic production; maintenance of relationships with clients; brand distribution; and environmental protection. The international direction of CSR is oriented in the direction of "green activity," affecting the reduction of the level of poverty and inequality.

The current discourse on corporate social responsibility (CSR) is dominated by this ‘middle path’ approach, establishing collaboration and synergy, and attempting to define the balancing roles of business. In the CSR literature, interactions between business and society have been studied less. CSR research is also skewed towards the western and developed countries. We attempt to address these two issues by studying perception gaps among the community residing in a mining region and tourist destination in western India, Goa. The studied dimensions are company’s commitment to the community, areas for company’s support, company’s involvement with stakeholders, community’s commitment to the company, and media’s role to promote CSR activity and CSR as benefiting the company. In general, the variables such as age, education, place of origin and caste lead to divergence in community attitude towards various CSR dimensions. Later, we review a few unique and successful CSR projects, their design and implementation with a strategic ‘entrepreneurial orientation’. Our article points towards a new paradigm for CSR implementation that is beyond pure philanthropy. Innovative models are being discovered and designed with pro-activeness and reasonable experimentation which provide these corporates unique competitive advantage. Lastly, we propose that entrepreneurship has a viable role to play in balancing community and business interest.

The purpose of the article is to comprehend the essence of corporate social responsibility and define it as a unique characteristic, which favorably distinguishes the company from competitors in the international market. The work uses methods of synthesis and analysis, induction and deduction (to determine the content and elements of corporate social responsibility), as well as generalization methods (to determine the advantages and constraints for the use of corporate social responsibility of an enterprise when entering the international market). Results. Relevance research topic is due to the increasing role of corporate social responsibility in the conditions of globalization and the increasing influence of business on society. The article examines the features of corporate social responsibility of domestic enterprises in international business. The advantages of using corporate social responsibility by enterprises are analyzed. The reasons for the weak development of social responsibility of Ukrainian enterprises are considered, as well as the algorithm for transforming social responsibility into social benefit. Thus, having analyzed the practice of implementing CSR in international business, it should be noted that the level of involvement of domestic corporations in this process. There are several reasons for this phenomenon: lack of experience of domestic companies in the field corporate social responsibility even at the local level, lack of government support, lack of funds. Recommendations for improving corporate social responsibility of companies are offered. It has been established that corporate social responsibility is a modern way of a company to ensure its exit, successful development and functioning in the international market. Practical value. The use of theoretical and applied approaches proposed in the article in practice increases the predictability, stability and stability of the environment in which socially responsible business operates, as well as provides the company with competitive advantages in both domestic and international markets.

ABSTRACTGovernments, in particular in Western Europe, have become increasingly active in promoting and shaping corporate social responsibility (CSR). The present paper conceptually and empirically characterises the public policies on CSR in Europe. In a first (conceptual) step, public policies on CSR are portrayed by distinguishing five types of policy instruments (i.e. legal, economic, informational, partnering, and hybrid tools) that can be employed in four fields of action (i.e. awareness for CSR, transparency, socially responsible investment, and leading by example). In a second (empirical) step, this typology is employed to show how EU member states actually promote CSR policies. The empirical stocktaking provides an overview of more than 200 policy instruments in three of the four fields of action. In a third step, the paper compares the status of public policies on CSR in Western Europe and Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). By means of a simple instrument count and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) it is shown that Western European (particularly Anglo‐Saxon and Scandinavian) governments are significantly more active in promoting CSR than governments in CEE countries. Since these differences mirror the differences regarding the popularity of CSR as a management approach in Europe, the paper concludes that public policies on CSR reinforce rather than offset the European ‘CSR gap’. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

For more than 25 years, South Africans have been living in a pandemic-like environment where access to adequate healthcare, food security, adequate housing and necessities that make people human is unevenly distributed. This position has remained the same even post-democracy, as ineffective methods were used to eradicate inequality and food insecurity. Prior to the pandemic, the hunger of millions of South African households has been a constant presence, where families do not have access to food. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought to light the country’s overlooked crisis of food security by exposing with great concern the harsh reality of the lack of access to food for millions of South Africans. According to the Global Food Security Index, South Africa is the most food-secure country on the African continent. However, millions of South Africans go hungry every day. This position is reflected in a lack of access to food in a country where local food production and export are taking place on a massive scale. This paper seeks to provide a new perspective on re-envisioning the food security system in South Africa. The paper will discuss how corporate social responsibility (CSR) could provide avenues for food security and play a role in food equality as a key driver of food security after the pandemic and after the lockdown restrictions have been lifted. Drawing on the strengths of the CSR framework, the paper argues that CSR can enhance an understanding of South Africa’s position in ensuring sustainable food security. This will also include the areas in which government and other social partners can intervene in the food security system in a way that promotes human dignity, equality, and the freedom of all persons, as espoused in the Constitution.KeywordsFood securitySouth AfricaCSRCOVID-19Land reformDemocracyNPOSolidarity FundKing Codes of Good Corporate GovernanceFood sovereignty

This article analyses the EU Commission's policy-based approach to regulating Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the role of international human rights law as a normative source for the regulatory output in two initiatives launched in 2002 and 2006. The article argues as a starting point that the understanding of CSR as ‘beyond law’ tends to shroud the contributions that international human rights law and legal theory based regulatory technique lend to CSR normativity and regulation, not only outside the EU but also within. The EU experience shows that due to power relations and their impact on multi-stakeholder negotiations and their outcome, this potential does necessarily unfold. It also shows that the procedural design of reflexive multi-stakeholder regulatory processes is significant for bringing forth the normative contributions of international law to CSR in public–private regulation. Finally, the article suggests that within the public policy context in which EU CSR regulation is emerging, the normative role of international human rights law which the Commission suggests for CSR in Europe and the application of the reflexive regulatory technique contribute to a substantive as well as procedural juridification of CSR, especially in the formative stage of defining CSR normativity. The latter adds a significant new perspective to the understanding of CSR and its relation to law, although it need not conflict with the understanding of CSR being ‘voluntary’ in the sense of action beyond direct legal obligations.