Global Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives For Reluctant Businesses

Undeniably, the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) is not new, but there is a huge difference between understanding the concept of CSR in developed and developing nations. In developing countries, firms have little interest in adopting CSR as a strategy in their business goals. The best practices, techniques, and empirical studies conducted around the globe must be discussed in detail in order to encourage the incorporation of the best CSR strategies for regionally diverse businesses. Global Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives for Reluctant Businesses is a critical reference source that covers the scope of global corporate social responsibility, which has continued to increase in the last couple of decades. The book includes core aspects of corporate social responsibility philosophy and practices in different European, North American, and Asian countries. This authored book helps readers to understand the corporate social responsibility practices in different countries and also provides a holistic picture of global CSR and emerging trends with the support of empirical studies. Covering topics including internationalization, Islamic CSR, green public procurement, CSR strategy, and sustainability, this book is essential for managers, executives, human resources managers, policymakers, academicians, researchers, students, and practitioners.

More recent incidents and scandals such as Sweatshops by different sports equipment and electronic devices producers and finally the financial crisis which made the headlines among many others, which did not make it to the front page, have forced companies to consider CSR way more than in the past. But also other issues such as climate change and global warming, human rights situation and terrorism affect how companies conduct their strategies and operational practices today. Almost every large corporation in the western world makes some effort to communicate how it is committed to social issues that lie beyond its basic profit objectives – even in controversial industries such as the tobacco and petroleum industry. The industries claim to produce healthier food more fuel-efficient vehicles, conserve energy and other resources in their operations to make the world a better place. CSR often begins to be wishful thinking to hide the true face of a business. Doubtless what has come to be called responsibility of companies for ecological and social issues besides economic issues is now a sales and branding instrument for many companies. Hence, numerous other companies, also small and medium sized companies are currently asking themselves the questions: Shall we also invest in CSR initiatives? Why should we do that – just to do something? Is this still an instrument to gain a competitive advantage? Especially the last question implies the question, if consumers still believe in the basic idea of CSR initiatives, or with the overload of CSR initiatives, if they even show reactance and mistrust against such issues.

In today's global business environment it is no longer acceptable that a corporation does well simply by doing good. It is expected. With increasing pressures from stakeholders to improve the bottom line as well as to be good corporate citizens, business leaders face tough decisions. What social issues should we support? What initiatives should we develop that will do the most good for the company as well as the cause? Do we include social messages in our advertising, encourage our employees to volunteer, do we modify our business practices? How do we integrate a new initiative into current strategies? These and other challenges will continue to face future leaders. This book provides thoughtful answers to these important questions, and to many more. The book offers suggestions on how to choose among major worthy causes and also how to measure the amount of good achieved both for the recipients and the companies themselves. Of course, all is not only about challenges, there are loads of opportunities that go along with them but it’s only responsible and sustainable leaders who would be able to spot these opportunities. That is the future which awaits 21st century leaders.

This book examines topical issues in global corporate social responsibility (CSR) from both scholarly and practical perspectives. It offers a variety of viewpoints and cases from countries around the globe and combines them with current academic knowledge. Intended for students, academics, and managers wishing to keep abreast of the challenges and opportunities for corporations operating in our ever-more-complex globalized world, this book provides fresh insights into responsible business conduct.

This book explores the current state of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) from an international perspective, the goal being to share ideas and visions for a sustainable future and to provide useful guidelines for academics, practitioners and policymakers in the context of the 2030 “Agenda for Sustainable Development” released by the United Nations. Research on CSR has evolved considerably over the last three decades. However, there are still many unanswered questions concerning the sustainability of business in an increasingly changing world, for example: If most companies consider CSR to be valuable to their organizations, why do only 15% of them systematically implement Social Responsibility initiatives? If CSR has been found to be profitable for companies, why are they so reluctant to develop an active, internal CSR policy? Why are there such significant differences in CSR adoption from country to country? Why does it take a huge crisis to make politicians react and regulate certain core CSR issues? This contributed volume answers these questions, presenting a wealth of case studies and new approaches in the process.

The impact of businesses on a country’s economy extends beyond just the monetary effects of the company. The ethical standard to which a business upholds itself can have a crucial impact on the development of a country’s economy. Empowering Organizations through Corporate Social Responsibility addresses the implementation of businesses’ ethical standards in both emerging and advanced economies, interpreting the social impact of this issue in a global context. Highlighting case studies, interdisciplinary perspectives, and strategies in business management, this book is a pivotal reference source for academics, researchers, post-graduate students, and professionals concerned with the development of the business sector.

Now more than ever, there is a growing importance for companies to ramp up their focus on social responsibility. An effective CSR program can have a positive impact on companies, employees, and consumers. This new volume, Corporate Social Responsibility in the Global Business World: A Conceptual, Regulatory, and Illustrative Framework, covers the parameters of corporate social responsibility around the world, elucidating the concepts, evolution, cultural dimensions, key areas, and disclosure and reporting methods and how CSR is being considered and implemented across the globe. The book also offers a future outlook for CSR. The book begins with a thorough introduction to CSR, covering its meaning and definition along with the principles of CSR for effective implementation, its inherent benefits, and its challenges. It goes on to cover the status of CSR in emerging economies with the emphasis on emerging trends in corporate governance, reporting, indexing, and certification. The volume considers the evolution of CSR from voluntary to mandatory along with the underlining advantages and disadvantages while also giving comparisons of CSR in developed versus developing nations. The book looks at the regulations and legislation around the world pertaining to CSR, such as universal GRI standards and legislative framework of countries like UK, USA, India, Germany, France, Canada, China, and Indonesia that have been sketched out covering expenditures, disclosure, and reporting obligations. The authors share case studies of implemented CSR projects, initiatives, and practices, highlighting several societal and environmental issues either through stakeholder relations and collaborations with NGOs or agencies or by adhering to government regulations for CSR compliance. This book provides a valuable overview of CSR and how effective implementation can lead to a corporation’s contribution to worldwide and regional sustainability and the well-being of society and the environment.

This is the first in a two volume study of Corporate Social Responsibility and corporate behaviour from around the world, taking in viewpoints from five continents and over ten countries. These case studies present a detailed analysis of best practice in the corporate world in the areas of social ethics and community engagement.