Strategic management of social responsibilities: a mixed methods study of US universities

Abstract

IMPACT It is vital that social responsibilities become part of nonprofit or public organizations’ strategic management. Strategic management of social responsibilities implies continuous attention to these responsibilities—not only during strategic planning but also throughout strategy implementation. Organizations need to assess whether they are mission-focused, planning-focused, opportunity-focused or ‘savvy’ strategists in terms of their strategic management of social responsibilities. Many organizations are planning-focused, indicating aspirations towards social responsibilities in strategic plans without embedding these in concrete implementation activities. Creating centres, offices, and programmes focused on social responsibilities will help to counter this. Moreover, embedding social responsibilities into funding opportunities is also a way to signal more continuous attention.