Theory And Practice Of Corporate Social Responsibility

Modern businesses and organizations understand that corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become an important factor for sustainable success. At the same time CSR has established itself as a widely accepted element of courses in managerial training and education. This book, designed to support CSR teaching, collects 14 essays that clearly illustrate and explain the benefits and challenges of socially responsible corporate policies. Aligning theory and practice, the book focuses on four central themes: management, environment and sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and accounting and financial reporting. Business students and experienced managers alike will find this book a valuable resource that helps them to discover the strong forces that link successful management with corporate social responsibility.

This book explores recent developments in the theory, strategic perspective and international practice of corporate social responsibility. In particular it discusses the consequences of the economic slowdown apparent in many economies and the impact of changes in the regulatory environment. It consists of three parts: Part one addresses a variety of theoretical approaches as well as the dynamics and criticism of corporate social responsibility. It takes into account social and governmental expectations for the new and extended role of companies in the economy and in society, and provides a new context and theoretical assumptions regarding the functions and tasks of corporate social responsibility. Part two discusses the practical aspects relating to strategic management and corporate governance, corporate disclosure and reporting, as well as the empowerment of stakeholders. Lastly, part three focuses on the international practice of corporate social responsibility in various organizational and institutional settings. Using numerous case studies, the book explores the challenges and tasks of CSR in emerging markets, in the fashion industry and in global and family companies. It identifies the changes that can be detected following the financial crisis, closing the loop and linking the empirical findings with the revised theoretical framework.

This book deals with the role of international standards for corporate governance in the context of corporate social responsibility. Based on the fundamentals of moral theory, the book examines governance and CSR in general, addressing questions such as: Is “good governance” not affected by moral concerns? How do the principles and practices of CSR standards adhere to or conflict with insights from business ethics and moral theory? To what extent do the standards and governance models provide normative guidance? Do the standards and governance guidelines provide an adequate means of benchmarking and auditing? Are these standards a help or a hindrance to stakeholder engagement and transparency? The book provides insightful and thought-provoking answers to these and many other important questions concerning CSR standards, and offers a valuable resource for practitioners, academics and students at business schools and other institutions.

This volume sets the agenda for a developing field of thought from a variety of perspectives from academia, policy, business and the professions. Articulating current thinking, each subject is represented by a scholarly presentation, together with responses from other researchers and practitioners in the field. The book explores and critiques corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals and national, organizational and managerial strategies, whilst reviewing the importance, sustainability and long term value of CSR practice to corporations and civil society.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become an increasingly heated topic since the 1980s. This title proposes that the concept of Corporate Social Irresponsibility (CSI) offers a better theoretical platform to avoid the vagueness, ambiguity, arbitrariness and mysticism of CSR.

This book provides a concise and authoritative guide to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and related paradigms, including environmental responsibility, corporate sustainability and responsibility, creating shared value, strategic CSR, stakeholder engagement, corporate citizenship, business ethics and corporate governance, among others. It is primarily intended for advanced undergraduate and / or graduate students. Moreover, it is highly relevant for future entrepreneurs, small business owners, non-profit organisations and charitable foundations, as it addresses the core aspects of contemporary strategies, public policies and practices. It also features case studies on international policies and principles, exploring corporate businesses’ environmental, social and governance reporting. “Mark Camilleri’s new book provides an excellent overview of the eclectic academic literature in this area, and presents a lucid description of how savvy companies can embed themselves in circular systems that reduce system-wide externalities, increase economic value, and build reputation. A valuable contribution.” Charles J. Fombrun, Founder of Reputation Institute and a former Professor of Management at New York University and The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, USA “I am pleased to recommend Dr. Camilleri’s latest book, Corporate Sustainability, Social Responsibility, and Environmental Management. The book is a rich source of thought for everyone who wants to get deeper insights into this important topic. The accompanying five detailed case studies on a wide array of corporate sustainable and responsible initiatives are helpful in demonstrating how theoretical frameworks have been implemented into practical initiatives. This book is a critical companion for academics, students, and practitioners.” Adam Lindgreen, Professor and Head of Department of Marketing, Copenhagen Business School, Denmark “This book is an essential resource for students, practitioners, and scholars. Dr. Mark Camilleri skillfully delivers a robust summary of research on the business and society relationship and insightfully points to new understandings of and opportunities for responsible business conduct. I highly recommend Corporate Sustainability, Social Responsibility, and Environmental Management: An Introduction to Theory and Practice with Case Studies." Diane L. Swanson, Professor and Chair of Distinction in Business Administration and Ethics Education at Kansas State University, KS, USA "Mark’s latest book is lucid, insightful, and highly useful in the classroom. I strongly recommend it." Donald Siegel, Dean of the School of Business and Professor of Management at the University at Albany, State University of New York, NY, USA “The theory and practice of corporate sustainability, social responsibility and environmental management is complex and dynamic. This book will help scholars to navigate through the maze. Dr Camilleri builds on the foundations of leading academics, and shows how the subject continues to evolve. The book also acknowledges the importance of CSR 2.0 - or transformative corporate sustainability and responsibility - as a necessary vision of the future.” Wayne Visser, Senior Associate at Cambridge University, UK. He is the author of CSR 2.0: Transforming Corporate Sustainability & Responsibility and Sustainable Frontiers: Unlocking Change Through Business, Leadership and Innovation "Corporate Sustainability, Social Responsibility and Environmental Management: An Introduction to Theory and Practice with Case Studies" provides a useful theoretical and practical overview of CSR and the importance of practicing corporate sustainability.” Geoffrey P. Lantos, Professor of Business Administration, Stonehill College. Easton, Massachusetts, USA “This book offers a truly comprehensive guide to current concepts and debates in the area of corporate responsibility and sustainability. It gives helpful guidance to all those committed to mainstreaming responsible business practices in an academically reflected, yet practically relevant, way.” Andreas Rasche, Professor of Business in Society, Copenhagen Business School, Denmark “A very useful resource with helpful insights and supported by an enriching set of case studies.” Albert Caruana, Professor of Marketing at the University of Malta, Malta and at the University of Bologna, Italy “A good overview of the latest thinking about Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Management based on a sound literature review as well as useful case studies. Another step forward in establishing a new business paradigm.” René Schmidpeter, Professor of International Business Ethics and CSR at Cologne Business School (CBS), Germany “Dr. Camilleri's book is a testimony to the continuous need around the inquiry and advocacy of the kind of responsibility that firms have towards societal tenets. Understanding how CSR can become a modern manifestation of deep engagement into socio-economic undercurrents of our firms, is the book's leading contribution to an important debate, that is more relevant today than ever before." Mark Esposito, Professor of Business and Economics at Harvard University, MA, USA “Mark’s book is a great addition to the literature on CSR and EM; it will fill one of the gaps that have continued to exist in business and management schools, since there are insufficient cases for teaching and learning in CSR and Environmental Management in Business Schools around the globe.” Samuel O. Idowu, Senior Lecturer in Accounting at London Metropolitan University, UK; Professor of CSR at Nanjing University of Finance and Economics, China and a Deputy CEO, Global Corporate Governance Institute, USA “Corporate Social Responsibility has grown from 'nice to have' for big companies to a necessity for all companies. Dr Mark Camilleri sketches with this excellent book the current debate in CSR and CSR communication and with his cases adds valuable insights in the ongoing development and institutionalization of CSR in nowadays business.” Wim J.L. Elving, Professor at the University of Amsterdam, Netherlands

This book examines the conception of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Africa, expanding it’s frontiers beyond corporate reporting, voluntary corporate charity and community development projects. Taking a corporate law perspective on CSR, the author combines theory and practice to explain how CSR interacts with of sustainable development and sets an agenda for effective operationalization in Africa. The book not only devises an enforcement mechanism towards embedding effective CSR and sustainable development in Africa but also addresses CSR greenwash on the continent. The author critically examines CSR practices, legal and regulatory techniques in Nigeria and South Africa in the context of contexts of international regulatory dialogues and shows how corporate socially responsible behaviour can be effectively embedded within business communities in Africa. Increasing our understanding of the theoretical, legal and regulatory frameworks supporting corporate responsibility, this book will be of interest to scholars, policy makers and practitioners in the fields of Africa law, corporate law, corporate social responsibility and African business.

Being socially responsible on the part of corporate entities is now no longer an option, it is part of their normal business obligations to all their stakeholders regardless of whether these are primary or secondary stakeholders. Modern societies around the world now expect corporate entities of all shapes and forms to be socially responsible in whatever they do; the “Global Practices of Corporate Social Responsibility” is a first attempt at bringing together in one book experts' accounts of how corporate entities in twenty independent nations around the world are dealing with the issue of CSR. The world today faces diverse social problems. These become apparent as one moves from one country to the next, interestingly, society now expects corporations to help in finding solutions to these problems. The problem of global warming affects us all; modern corporations can no longer continue to assume that the problem will go away, if nothing is done by them. We can all make a little difference by our actions.