Women as a stakeholder: a qualitative study in Turkey

Abstract

Purpose– This study aims to determine the efforts in the topic of women in the direction of corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities as one of the stakeholders of the companies.Design/methodology/approach– This study is based on a survey of what has been written on the topic of women and CSR in Turkey. The data obtained, and the methodology used, come from Web sites belonging to the top 50 of Turkey’s 500 Big Industrial Organizations as determined by the Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO) and sustainability reports. The data obtained were assessed through content analysis; they were categorized by themes and sub-themes.Findings– In analyzing the research data, CSR activities involving women as external and internal stakeholders were classified as direct, indirect or both.Research limitations/implications– Because this study is qualitative in nature, the findings cannot be generalized. At the same time, as the enterprises in the state sector do not have CSR links, the results focus primarily on the private sector.Practical implications– The results indicate that there have been efforts in Turkey to consider women as stakeholders in CSR activities; however, these efforts are limited.Social implications– Women are a part of community and they are stakeholders to businesses. Businesses could support women with CSR activities.Originality/value– A study such as this one of the role of women as stakeholders in Turkish enterprises may contribute to understanding the role of women in Turkey today.