Corporate Social Responsibility Agenda Research Articles

Tax Non-avoidance as a Missing Piece of the Puzzle in the CSR Agenda in Poland

The commitment not to engage in tax avoidance – to refrain from using aggressive tax planning techniques – has not become part of the corporate social responsibility agenda in Poland. The purpose of this paper is to examine justificatory and explanatory reasons of that significant absence. The analysis unfolds in the following way. After setting out the necessary terminological background, I present main results of the limited empirical study of selected CSR documents, in order to substantiate the claim that tax avoidance is a theme absent from the CSR programs in Poland. Then I put forward the contention that this commitment should be included in such programs, as prima facie justified, and address a selection of objections that can be raised to defeat this contention. Finally, in the last section of the paper, I briefly comment on possible reasons of this absence and show how they elucidate the nature of CSR.

CSR and small business from the international and national perspective

Corporate and social responsibility is nowadays quite a popular topic among large companies but thanks to numerous popularization activities undertaken by national and international institutions, also small entrepreneurs become more and more interested in exploring this fairly new approach. This paper outlines the main differences between the implementation of the CSR approach in large companies and in SMEs, which are not able to use the same methods and have to look for some alternative strategies, have different expectations and very often even different goals. Moreover, they are not able to apply the whole CSR agenda, and they are frequently forced to focus on one single priority. The main aim of this paper will be to determine the CSR awareness among entrepreneurs in Poland and to emphasize the main differences in approaching this concept by the most developed economies of Europe. Finally, the future developments of CSR will be discussed in the context of small business.

Towards sustainable programme design? An examination of CSR initiatives within a Zambian SfD NGO

Sport-for-development (SfD) programming in Zambia is at a crucial turning point since its inception in the late 1990s. Weak domestic relations with state government bodies have left the sector isolated and dependent on foreign aid and corporate sponsorship mainly through corporate social responsibility (CSR) schemes. This article considers the implications of the CSR funding landscape for one SfD non-governmental organisation (NGO) based in Zambia. 16 semi-structured interviews with SfD practitioners and stakeholders were conducted to better understand how CSR funding impacts programme design, development and sustainability. Thematic analysis revealed three key themes: 1) positive partnerships; 2) parachute partnerships; 3) challenges with partnerships. The implications of these findings are presented in a conclusion which stresses the need for a (Global) South-centred CSR Agenda in SfD (Idemudia, 2011).

Customers' perceived priority areas and overall attitudes toward Saudi retail banks that pursue corporate social responsibility

Companies in Saudi Arabia are presented with a distinctive set of CSR agenda challenges which appear to be quite different from those faced by their counterparts elsewhere. This study therefore explores retail banking customers' perceived priority areas for CSR and their overall attitudes toward retail banks that pursue such initiatives in Saudi Arabia. Data collected from 348 valid respondents through a structured self-administered survey in the major urban areas of the country was used in this study. Supporting youth employment is the most important social cause respondents expect banks to embark upon. This is followed by support for vocational training; financial support for entrepreneurs; monetary support to the poor and sponsoring orphans' education in that order. CSR activities were influential in predicting the overall attitudes toward Saudi retail banks. Customers' behavioural intentions toward such retail banks were also overwhelming positive. As the first research examining these phenomena in Saudi Arabia, this study contributes to multinational literature in this area. Some recommendations are outlined for Saudi and GCC retail banks.

Stakeholder mapping of CSR in Switzerland

Purpose– This paper aims to investigate, using stakeholder map methodology, showing power, urgency, legitimacy and concerns of different actors, the current state of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Switzerland. Previous research on CSR in Europe has made few attempts to identify stakeholders and their contribution to this topic.Design/methodology/approach– To derive this map, publicly available documents were explored, augmented by 27 interviews with key stakeholders (consumers, media, government, trade unions, non-profit organisations [NPOs], banks, certifiers and consultants) and management of different companies (multinational enterprises [MNEs], small- and medium-sized enterprises [SMEs] and large national companies). Using MAXQDA, the quantified codes given for power, legitimacy and urgency were triangulated between self-reporting, external assessments and statements from publicly available documents and subsequently transferred into stakeholder priorities or, in other words, into positions in the map. Further, the codes given in the interviews for different CSR interests and the results from the document analysis were linked between stakeholders. The identified concerns and priorities were quantitatively analysed in regard to centrality and salience using VennMaker.Findings– The paper identified SMEs, MNEs and cooperating NPOs as being the most significant stakeholders, in that order. CSR is, therefore, not driven primarily by regulators, market pressure or customers. Further network parameters substantiated the importance of SMEs while following an unconventionally informal and idiosyncratic CSR approach. Hence, insights into these ethics-driven, unformalised business models that pursue broader responsibility based on trust, traditional values, regional anchors and the willingness to “give something back” were formed. Examples of this strong CSR habit include democratic decisions and abolished hierarchies, handshake instead of formal contracts and transparency in all respects (e.g. performance indicators, salaries and bonuses).Research limitations/implications– In total, 27 interviews as primary data that supplements publicly available documents are clearly only indicative.Practical implications– The research found an innovative, vibrant and practical CSR model that is emerging for reasons other than conventional CSR agendas that are supposed to evolve. In fact, the stakeholder map and the CSR practices may point at a very different role businesses have adopted in Switzerland. Such models offer a useful, heuristic evaluation of the contribution of formal management systems (e.g. as could be found in MNEs) in comparison to the unformalised SME business conduct.Originality/value– A rarely reported and astonishing feature of many of the very radical SME practices found in this study is that their link to commercial strategies was, in most cases, not seen. However, SMEs are neither the “poor relative” nor the abridged version of CSR, but are manifesting CSR as a Swiss set of values that fits the societal culture and the visionary goals of SME owners/managers and governs how a sustainably responsible company should behave. Hence, as a new stance and argument within CSR-related research, this paper concludes that “informal” does not mean “weak”. This paper covers a myriad of management fields, e.g. CSR as strategic tool in business ethics; stakeholder and network management; decision-making; and further theoretical frameworks, such as transaction cost and social capital theory. In other words, this research closes scientific gaps by at once applying quantitative as well as qualitative methods and by merging, for the first time, network methodology with CSR and stakeholder research.

Exploring human resource management roles in corporate social responsibility: the CSR‐HRM co‐creation model

Formulating and translating corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy into actual managerial practices and outcome values remain ongoing challenges for many organizations. This paper argues that the human resource management (HRM) function can potentially play an important role in supporting organizations to address this challenge. We argue that HRM could provide an interesting and dynamic support to CSR strategy design as well as implementation and delivery. Drawing on a systematic review of relevant strategic CSR and HRM literatures, this paper highlights the important interfaces between CSR and HRM and develops a conceptual model, the CSR‐HRM co‐creation model, which accounts for the potential HRM roles in CSR and identifies a range of outcome values resulting from a more effective integration of the role of HRM within CSR. The paper concludes with relevant theoretical and managerial recommendations that advance our understanding of the potential interfaces between HRM and CSR and how HRM can support a systematic and progressive CSR agenda.

A Case Study of Corporate Social Responsibility by Malaysian Government Link Company

The objective of the study is to investigate the CSR practice by the one of the Malaysian Government Link Company via case study approach. As a GLC's the business has to balance its profit with social responsibility to the state and society. According to the literature in modern era of CSR, the business social responsibility starts when the business determines their act in economic and social obligation. The result of the study shows that the business CSR initiative has changed from altruistic to its core competency. Furthermore, its revise CSR agenda has contributed to the state socio-economic development as suggested by the Father of Social Responsibility on the business social obligation postulate.

Corporate social responsibility: a likely causality of the crisis or a potential exit strategy component? A proposition development for an economy under pressure

Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to outline a set of propositions for the Greek business sector concerning the value of strategically adopting a responsible business behaviour. The recent economic downturn of the Greek economy stresses the need for redefining current business models, attitudes and practices.Design/methodology/approach– The authors draw from prior literature on strategic corporate responsibility and build their arguments on the value of social responsibility as an important component of an exit strategy from the domestic economic crisis.Findings– Promoting the social responsibility of business could yield win–win opportunities for Greek firms and have a positive effect on the regeneration of the national economy’s dynamics. Connecting the well-established strategic CSR literature with the specific handicaps of an economy under pressure, we point out that the current deep crisis can be alleviated by regaining the trustworthiness, supporting the competitiveness potential and enhancing the extroversion of the Greek economy.Practical implications– Strategic options from which policymakers and managers can endorse the development of a CSR agenda as an exit strategy component are set forth. Such practical implications pertain to the creation of an enabling environment for strategic CSR implementation, an emphasis on CSR-related amelioration of competitiveness parameters and a redefinition of market orientation of domestic firms under the scope of socially responsible business behaviour.Originality/value– An economic–business environment under extreme pressure is discussed; problems relevant to the Greek case are outlined while a new approach in the way of doing business is proposed.

A Class of its Own? The Role of Sustainable Real Estate in a Conditional Value at Risk Multi-Asset Portfolio

Current research on sustainable property investment focuses mainly on property-level profitability of green buildings along with the development and implementation of eco-certifications. A second strand of studies investigates the company-level financial implications of corporate social responsibility agendas. This paper seeks to expand the current literature by analyzing the effect of Socially Responsible Investments (SRI) within a multi-asset portfolio optimization model. It also attempts to bridge the existing gap in the real estate literature between sustainability principles and investment analysis. To this aim, listed real estate companies with an active sustainability agenda, identified through the MSCI ESG database, represent the sustainable real estate asset class. Applying a number of robust optimization techniques, we establish empirically whether diversification benefits can be achieved by investing in companies with a proven track record in sustainability. The results of the study highlight the potential contribution of listed real estate companies with high sustainability ratings to an institutional investor´s portfolio taking into account differences in investment style and risk aversion.

The civic virtue of developmentalism: on the mining industry's political licence to develop Western Australia

This paper examines the social licence to operate (SLO) of Western Australia's (WA's) mining industry in the context of the state's ‘developmentalist’ agenda. We draw on the findings of a multi-disciplinary body of new research on the risks and challenges posed byWA's mining industry for environmental, social and economic sustainability. We synthesise the findings of this work against the backdrop of the broader debates on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and resource governance. In light of the data presented, this paper takes issue with the mining sector's SLO and its assessment of social and environmental impacts in WA for three inter-related reasons. A state government ideologically wedded to resource-led growth is seen to offer the resource sector a political licence to operate and to give insufficient attention to its potential social and environmental impacts. As a result, the resource sector can adopt a self-serving CSR agenda built on a limited win–win logic and operate with a ‘quasi social licence’ that is restricted to mere economic legitimacy. Overall, this paper problematises the political-cum-commercial construction and neoliberalisation of the SLO and raises questions about the impact of mining in WA.

Can investing in corporate social responsibility lower a company's cost of capital?

Purpose– This paper aims to investigate the effect of corporate social responsibility (CSR) ratings on theex antecost of capital of more than 2,300 listed US companies in a panel from 2003 to 2010. It examines whether financial markets value continuous investment in CSR activities through higher market capitalization and lower cost of capital.Design/methodology/approach– The measure of the cost of capital reflects the perceived riskiness of individual companies expressed in the unobserved internal rate of return that investors expect to hold a risky asset. Based on descriptive portfolio estimations, panel and quantile regressions, the authors model the cost of equity capital as a function of CSR strengths and concerns obtained from the KLD-database and accounting controls.Findings– The authors show that firms' CSR strategies differ significantly across industry sectors. Customer-orientated companies such as telecommunications and automobile outperform asset-driven sectors such as real estate or chemical companies. Furthermore, the authors find a 10-bp positive effect for one standard deviation of firms' intensive allocation of resources in sustainable activities.Research limitations/implications– Since the authors are interested in the effect environmental, social and governance activities have on the firm's perceived market valuation rate, the authors apply the Fama-French model because of its efficiency in explaining realized returns, rather than incorporating analyst's long-term growth forecasts into the proxy for the equity premium.Practical implications– Managers of companies with low or intermediate CSR scores may consider the financial benefits of improving their social and environmental performance. A good starting point is usually to draw up a company-wide CSR agenda, possibly guided by a dedicated CSR task force, mapping out the potential costs and benefits of such measures. In addition, by improving their CSR ratings, a company may get access to additional resources, ranging from the growing ethical investment industry to employees for whom CSR performance matters when choosing an employer.Originality/value– The authors expand the existing literature by considering firm's CSR level to be in relation to the overall CSR performance and decompose firm's CSR agenda into strengths and concerns rather than counting the number of activities a firm is involved in. The applied methodology allows a better understanding of firm's CSR agenda and its implication for capital markets and investors on both long and short investment terms.

Identical or Just Compatible? The Utility of Corporate Identity Values in Communicating Corporate Social Responsibility

This study explores whether companies embracing a corporate social responsibility agenda have a strategic focus on adapting and aligning their value systems to reflect such commitment. The analysis is based on empirical data and a conceptual model juxtaposing corporate values, corporate social responsibility values, and implementation to capture how the different configurations of these aspects may impact the communication carried out by corporations. The findings indicate that the companies in the data sample operate with two markedly different value systems. The coexistence of two value systems is discussed in relation to the reported difficulties that companies experience when facing the new and complex challenge of communicating corporate social responsibility.

Idrottens CSR – Om att Uppnå trovärdighet genom transparens och en snurra.

Idrottens CSR – Om att uppnå trovärdighet genom transparens och en snurra (CSR in sport – To reach credibility through transparency with the help of a peg-top.) During the last decade FIFA and UEFA have increasingly stressed the importance of CSR and to work according to Good Governance-principles. Although with great opportunities for improvement, the Danish FA has come out on top in Scandinavian comparisons of the different FAs’ CSR engagement according to Good Governance praxis. However, there is little known about the CSR-activities amongst the Danish PL-clubs. With a point of departure in the FA’s CSR agenda and work, this study examines to what extent the DPL-clubs work with CSR and to what extent this is communicated according to principles of Good Governance with transparency as a motto. The findings show low CSR-activities and, or alternatively low transparency. Based on the result, the study proposes a CSRmodel and tool to simplify a transparent and effective CSR-accounting with moderate efforts.Key words: Corporate Social Responsibility, Good Governance, Danish Premier League, DBU, Danish FA, Evaluation.

Selling whose dream? A taxonomy of aspiration in fashion imagery

Abstract Scholars and practitioners assume that women aspire to fashion photographs of idealized models. It is unknown, however, what makes a fashion image aspirational because previous researchers have not explored the various dimensions that evoke this concept. In this article, I share the development of a taxonomy that explains the evaluative criteria and image elements that elicit aspiration in fashion photographs based on data gathered in focus groups with 100 women. Findings reveal that women aspire to a fashion image according to their evaluations that it is honest, empowering and socially responsible. The models, creative direction and visual cues in the image trigger these three aspirational criteria. My research contributes the first taxonomy of aspiration in fashion photographs and to the enhancement of knowledge about consumer engagement with images. Industry professionals are encouraged to incorporate promotional photographs into their corporate social responsibility agenda and produce imagery that represents women’s diverse beauty and character alongside glamour and artistry.

Understanding CSR in the Maldivian context

Purpose– The objective of this study is to examine CSR practices in the Maldives.Design/methodology/approach– The perceptions of business and non-business stakeholders were analysed in order to identify CSR practices that are idiosyncratic to the Maldives and to reflect on the relevance of current mainstream CSR agenda for the Maldives. Surveys and in-depth interviews were used to draw the perceptions of a sample of 52 businesses and 36 non-business stakeholders. The study adopts an interpretive methodology to analyse the perceptions and to reflect on extant CSR theories.Findings– The paper suggests mediocre CSR practices of businesses and lukewarm responses from non-business stakeholders in the Maldives. There is a difference between what businesses consider ought to be CSR practices (the normative) and their actual CSR practices. Businesses prefer to keep their CSR practices discreet as publicity may cause increasing demands from local communities for financial and other assistance. CSR practices in the Maldives are also influenced by the local Islamic culture. The meaning of CSR prevalent in the context of more advanced western economies may prove to be superfluous in the context of the Maldives, a small and developing Islamic country struggling to meet the basic needs of its people.Originality/value– This study represents the first research on CSR activities in the Maldives. It contributes to existing literature by challenging the relevance of mainstream CSR practices to a developing economy.

The Role of Private International Law in Corporate Social Responsibility

This contribution firstly reviews developments in the EU and in the United States on corporate social responsibility and conflict of laws. It concludes with reference to some related themes, in particular on the piercing of the corporate veil and with some remarks on compliance strategy, and compli- ance reality, for corporations. Environmental protection and human rights are core elements of the so-called 'corporate social responsibility' (CSR) agenda. The European Commission has previ- ously defined corporate social responsibility (CSR) as 'a concept whereby companies integrate social and envi- ronmental concerns in their business operations and in their interaction with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis'. 1 It has in the meantime changed this to 'the responsibility of enterprises for their impacts on soci- ety' 2 in order to realign the EU approach to CSR, with international developments, in particular the Ruggie report. 3 The law is one instrument which can be employed to further the CSR agenda and the implementation of its priorities. The United Nations has perhaps somewhat optimistically referred to the extraterritorial application of national law as a key element in operationalis ing human rights, labour rights and environmental protec- tion. This proposition suggests 'developed' countries with strong regulatory law (environment, human rights, labour, even tax) ought to design their laws and their courts' application of same in a manner which catches corporate behaviour outside their territory. In this way, as long as there is some, even strenuous, link to the developed state in question (through corporate headquarters, shareholder structure, board meetings, marketing of goods and services into those countries, etc.), the laws of that state would be used as a jack for regulatory performance abroad. The United States has been keen in recent years to pursue this route for a

CSR in Indian Business Organizations: An Evolutionary and Integrated Conceptual Framework

Since the 1950s, there has been a dramatic change in the developed world in the way business organizations look at their relationship with society. While the same change is not visible in Indian business organizations during the period 1950s-1990s, there is an upsurge in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)activities in Indian organization in last two decades. Social commitment as a part of the (CSR) agenda is practically there in most of the all large business organizations in India. Ancient Indian culture and philosophy which subscribes for the well being of all creatures in nature through human action also inspires business leaders to engage with social and natural environment in positive way. This article conceptually integrates theoretical foundations, literature on CSR, and frameworks describing evolution in other fields of study, to arrive at a model of the evolution of CSR agenda of Business organizations in India. The underlying thought driving the effort is to identify the major elements pertaining to social and environmental considerations determining the CSR agenda in Business organizations in India.

Tax Non-Avoidance as a Missing Puzzle in the CSR Agenda in Poland

The commitment not to engage in tax avoidance – to refrain from using aggressive tax planning techniques – has not become part of the corporate social responsibility agenda in Poland. The purpose of this paper is to examine the justificatory and explanatory reasons of that significant absence. The analysis unfolds in the following way. After setting out the necessary terminological background, I present the main results of the limited empirical study of selected CSR documents, in order to substantiate the claim that tax avoidance is a theme absent from the CSR programs in Poland. Then I put forward the contention that this commitment should be included in such programs, as prima facie justified, and address a selection of objections that can be raised to defeat this contention. Finally, in the last section of the paper, I briefly comment on the possible reasons of this absence and show how they elucidate the nature of CSR.

Corporate human rights responsibility and multinationality in emerging markets - a legal perspective for corporate governance and responsibility

This ‘perspective’ paper highlights the evolving concept and idea of corporate human rights responsibility (CHRR) under international law. The paper thus aims to rectify the scarcity of such a notion within the existing frameworks, and its related significance to other concepts of corporate responsibility and governance. This paper develops and builds upon the emerging concept of CHRR in the context of emerging market multinationality (EMM), by proposing that multinational corporation (MNCs) be more proactive in taking on board CHRR within their corporate governance (CG) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) agendas, so as to avoid future risks of being sued and taken to court. The current literature suggests paucity and underrepresentation of research on the legal facets of human right responsibilities on the part of MNCs in emerging economies such as India. The ‘ghost’ of the Bhopal tragedy 27 years ago in India still haunts us and has resurfaced with Dow Chemicals, then Union Carbide, who was responsible for the tragedy, also having sponsored the 2012 London Olympics, and gained more bad press, than good. This study thus specifically looks at India, through the ‘unique’, chronological and time-line (longitudinal) case of Bhopal, to elucidate our concept of CHRR.

Work-Life Balance: A global perspective

Work-life balance tops the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) agenda for many companies worldwide. But can Hong Kong’s working culture be brought into balance?