EXAMPLES OF CREATING SHARED VALUE (CSV) IN AGRIBUSINESS IN POLAND

Abstract

The research goal of this paper is to identify the possibility to transform the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) towards the concept of Creating Shared Value (CSV) in agribusiness. In the paper, both concepts are compared and the ways of their application are exemplified. A literature review and summative content analysis have been used to study CSR reports of four leading food companies in Poland. The study enabled the exemplification of good practices of shared value creation in the analysed agribusiness entities which publish information on their social impact. It concludes that the implementation of a new CSV approach is an important challenge for agribusiness companies. There are many areas where economic value can be augmented by new approach applications in agribusiness. Unfocused philanthropy, in the form of charitable donations and volunteering, should be replaced by the direct activity of companies aimed at solving social and environmental problems of agribusiness. Companies should make more effort towards shared value creation focused on reconceiving products and markets, redefining productivity in the value chain and building supportive agribusiness clusters. Some good practices presented in this study already are implemented. It contributes to identifying and gaining insight into the process of superseding CSR by the CSV approach in agribusiness, in Poland. This paper brings the discussion about social responsibility in agribusiness to a new level.