Developing a university CSR framework using stakeholder approach

Abstract

Contemporary organisations are paying a growing attention to the social impact of their business activities in pursuit of favourable economic outcomes and sustainable competitiveness. Universities increasingly enact corporate social responsibility strategies with the aim of strengthening both their customer and employee satisfaction. However, since organisations have limited resources to invest in CSR activities, they need to prioritise their CSR objectives and this can be accomplished by taking the expectations of their stakeholders into consideration. Based on a stakeholder approach, a survey was conducted with the aim of assessing main stakeholders' expectations and perceptions concerning CSR practices implemented by universities. Moreover, in order to address the absence of practical tools and models for corporate responsibility management, the present study led to the development of a conceptual framework for crafting and implementing a CSR strategy at university level.