The Corporate Social Responsibility Strategies and Activities Employed By the...iosrjce
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Corporate social responsibility (CSR) playa an increasingly important role in business success
today, and economic, political, and social factors are shaping CSR strategies around the world. Approached
strategically, CSR has the potential to generate opportunity, innovation and competitive advantage for
organizations while solving pressing social problems. The study explored the effectiveness of CSR strategies on
organizational performance by ascertaining whether responsibility towards primary stakeholders influences the
financial and non-financial performance of commercial banks. The author focused on the Equity Bank in Kenya.
Content analysis of the Bankâs financial reports between the years 2006 and 2012 was done to ascertain the
relationship between CSR and performance of the Bank. The establishment of EGF, a fully fledged subsidiary of
Equity Bank, to handle all aspects of social responsibility for the Bank is a clear attestation of how important
and serious the institution considers CSR in their day-to-day operations. The categorization of the CSR
strategies into thematic areas showed that, to the Eank, social responsibility is not just a philanthropic deed to
society but a strategic tool for furtherance of business objectives, including stakeholder relationships. The study
recommended the need for organizations to be more inclusive and participatory among all the stakeholders at
all levels of implementation as well as further research to determine the level at which CSR impacts on
performance and the influence of prior organizational performance on social responsibility.
The Corporate Social Responsibility Strategies and Activities Employed By the...iosrjce
Â
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) playa an increasingly important role in business success
today, and economic, political, and social factors are shaping CSR strategies around the world. Approached
strategically, CSR has the potential to generate opportunity, innovation and competitive advantage for
organizations while solving pressing social problems. The study explored the effectiveness of CSR strategies on
organizational performance by ascertaining whether responsibility towards primary stakeholders influences the
financial and non-financial performance of commercial banks. The author focused on the Equity Bank in Kenya.
Content analysis of the Bankâs financial reports between the years 2006 and 2012 was done to ascertain the
relationship between CSR and performance of the Bank. The establishment of EGF, a fully fledged subsidiary of
Equity Bank, to handle all aspects of social responsibility for the Bank is a clear attestation of how important
and serious the institution considers CSR in their day-to-day operations. The categorization of the CSR
strategies into thematic areas showed that, to the Eank, social responsibility is not just a philanthropic deed to
society but a strategic tool for furtherance of business objectives, including stakeholder relationships. The study
recommended the need for organizations to be more inclusive and participatory among all the stakeholders at
all levels of implementation as well as further research to determine the level at which CSR impacts on
performance and the influence of prior organizational performance on social responsibility.
Corporate Social Responsibility Essay ExampleWrite my essay
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If youâre searching for a write my own essay service to do your writing task in the way you want it to be done â weâre here for you! More information on http://www.writemyessay.biz/
In the second of a series of reports commissioned by HSBC, we consider the extent to which businesses are incorporating responsibility in their business operations.
Shared Value Creation: Value chain redesign in companies of the sugar sectorjournal ijrtem
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ABSTRACT : This article exposes the different arguments in favor of The Shared Value Creation (CVC) within an organization as an inclusive competitive strategy of the social, environmental and economic problems on its different interest groups; It is the redesign of its value chain for a more efficient and effective impact on productivity and business competitiveness.
A theoretical content and a practical perspective are elaborated to model the way to create shared value in an organization throughout a methodology implemented in a company in the sugar sector. The proposed model is made up of five stages: a) Description of the company, b) Strategic diagnosis, c) Executive proposal, d) Change management and f) Strategic decision.
The strategic decision stage includes a six-steps sub model oriented to develop and to redesign a segment of the entire value chain, where implementation begins with the segmentation of critical inputs, awareness suppliers through Value-Sharing, CSR and Sustainability. Subsequent phases consist of an approach to selected suppliers and the strategic breakdown by the company.
TOO4TO Module 2 / Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility: Part 1TOO4TO
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This presentation is part of the Sustainable Management: Tools for Tomorrow (TOO4TO) learning materials. It covers the following topic: Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility (Module 2). The material consists of 2 parts. This presentation covers Part 1.
You can find all TOO4TO Modules and their presentations here: https://too4to.eu/e-learning-course/
TOO4TO was a 35-month EU-funded Erasmus+ project, running until August 2023 in co-operation with European strategic partner institutions of the GdaĹsk University of Technology (Poland), the Kaunas University of Technology (Lithuania), Turku University of Applied Sciences (Finland) and Global Impact Grid (Germany).
TOO4TO aims to increase the skills, competencies and awareness of future managers and employees with available tools and methods that can provide sustainable management and, as a result, support sustainable development in the EU and beyond.
Read more about the project here: https://too4to.eu/
This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. Its whole content reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. PROJECT NUMBER 2020-1-PL01-KA203-082076
An Investigation of Practicing Carrollâs Pyramid of Corporate Social Responsi...IOSR Journals
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This study has been conducted to explore the present scenario of implementing corporate social responsibility in our garment industry by using Carrollâs (1991) pyramid. Garments sector is one of the most important sectors of industries in our country. Practicing CSR in this industry is very much necessary. This paper aims to investigate that what level of CSR activities are practiced by our garment industry. This study also identifies to what extend Carrollâs (1991) pyramid is understood by the corporate body of our garment industry. In this regard, we take interviews of 50 garments workers and top executives from the areas of Savar, Gazipur, Ashulia and Tongi. At the end of the study, we explore the implications of these findings and suggest actions to practice CSR properly in the Bangladesh garment industry.
Significance and Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility.pdfTEWMAGAZINE
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Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has emerged as a cornerstone of modern business practices, reflecting a growing recognition of the broader societal impact of corporate activities
EVALUATION OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ETHICS OF WIPROSudharshanE1
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The following evaluates the degree of organizational ethics and examines the various techniques and strategies through which WIPRO is fulfilling their responsibilities to key stakeholders. CSR can be defined as âA company's sense of responsibility towards the community and environment (both ecological and social) in which it operates.
Analysis of the effects of economic corporate social responsibility on financ...inventionjournals
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The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect economic corporate social responsibility on Financial performance. The study was guided by the following objectives: To analyze the effect of innovational CSR cost on financial performance, to examine the effect of social quality practices spending on financial performance ,to find out the effect of corporate entrepreneurship spending on financial performance and to examine the effect of financial literacy expenditure CSR on financial The study was guided by Stakeholders theory, Shareholder theory and Shareholder-Based Financial Performance theory. This study used quantitative research approaches. Quantitative research is generally associated. Collecting and converting data into numerical form so that statistical calculations can be made and conclusions drawn. This study will employ descriptive research design. The target population used was 100 and sampling procedure used was stratified. The study used primary (collected using questionnaires) and secondary data (trend analysis). To test the validity of the research instruments the questionnaires prepared and submitted to the supervisor and other research experts. In order to test the reliability of the instrument used in this study, the researcher used test retest method. Descriptive and inferential statistics method was used for data analysis and interpretation regression model was used to analyze the effect between variables. The study recommended that companies should ensure effective sustainability programs which include social responsibility, They should also ensure effective social programs are accomplished through cause-related marketing and corporate philanthropy, they should also create initiative which has beneficial relationship between the corporation and society, they should also should ensure corporate governance which is the framework of rules and practices by which a board of directors and embrace accountability, fairness, and transparency in a company's relationship with its stakeholders. For further research the study suggests that more studies should be done on economic social responsibility and corporate governance, economic social responsibility and financial literacy.
Essay on Corporate Social Responsibility CSR
Essay On Csr
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Sugarcane Companyâs performance has remained to be one of the challenging facts in the growing companies in Kenya today. The delays in harvesting operations are attributed to uncoordinated and unpredictable harvesting and transport schedules; and inefficiencies in mill operations. Therefore, the main aim of the study is to determine the influence of Sustainability Management Systems CSR on firm performance of selected sugarcane companies in Kenya. The study is guided by Corporate Social Performance Theory. This study used ex- post facto research design. Ex- post facto research design determines and reports the way things are. The target population was 528 employees. This study therefore sampled 228 respondents. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 10 managers, 24 supervisors, 38 accountants and 156 clerks from the 7 sugarcane companies because they have specific information concerning the effects of corporate social responsibility practice on firm performance of selected sugarcane companies in Kenya. Pilot study was done in order to test for validity and reliability of the research tools. The pilot study was done in Trans-Mara Sugar Company found in rift Valley region of Kenya. For inferential statistics, correlation and multiple regression was used for comparative analysis between frequencies of corporate social responsibility practice on firm performance. The study findings indicated that sustainability management systems have an effect on firm performance. The government will use this study in establishing policies that would ensure improvement in firm performance of sugarcane processing firms among other firms in Kenya. The study recommends that the companies should encourage sustainability management systems since sustainable management systems is an important mechanism for improving corporate sustainability performance. It can generate business value through measurement and management of sustainability risks and opportunities. The study recommends further researchers to study on corporate social responsibility strategy and financial performance of firms in Kenya which the study didnât cover.
Corporate Social Responsibility Essay ExampleWrite my essay
Â
If youâre searching for a write my own essay service to do your writing task in the way you want it to be done â weâre here for you! More information on http://www.writemyessay.biz/
In the second of a series of reports commissioned by HSBC, we consider the extent to which businesses are incorporating responsibility in their business operations.
Shared Value Creation: Value chain redesign in companies of the sugar sectorjournal ijrtem
Â
ABSTRACT : This article exposes the different arguments in favor of The Shared Value Creation (CVC) within an organization as an inclusive competitive strategy of the social, environmental and economic problems on its different interest groups; It is the redesign of its value chain for a more efficient and effective impact on productivity and business competitiveness.
A theoretical content and a practical perspective are elaborated to model the way to create shared value in an organization throughout a methodology implemented in a company in the sugar sector. The proposed model is made up of five stages: a) Description of the company, b) Strategic diagnosis, c) Executive proposal, d) Change management and f) Strategic decision.
The strategic decision stage includes a six-steps sub model oriented to develop and to redesign a segment of the entire value chain, where implementation begins with the segmentation of critical inputs, awareness suppliers through Value-Sharing, CSR and Sustainability. Subsequent phases consist of an approach to selected suppliers and the strategic breakdown by the company.
TOO4TO Module 2 / Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility: Part 1TOO4TO
Â
This presentation is part of the Sustainable Management: Tools for Tomorrow (TOO4TO) learning materials. It covers the following topic: Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibility (Module 2). The material consists of 2 parts. This presentation covers Part 1.
You can find all TOO4TO Modules and their presentations here: https://too4to.eu/e-learning-course/
TOO4TO was a 35-month EU-funded Erasmus+ project, running until August 2023 in co-operation with European strategic partner institutions of the GdaĹsk University of Technology (Poland), the Kaunas University of Technology (Lithuania), Turku University of Applied Sciences (Finland) and Global Impact Grid (Germany).
TOO4TO aims to increase the skills, competencies and awareness of future managers and employees with available tools and methods that can provide sustainable management and, as a result, support sustainable development in the EU and beyond.
Read more about the project here: https://too4to.eu/
This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. Its whole content reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. PROJECT NUMBER 2020-1-PL01-KA203-082076
An Investigation of Practicing Carrollâs Pyramid of Corporate Social Responsi...IOSR Journals
Â
This study has been conducted to explore the present scenario of implementing corporate social responsibility in our garment industry by using Carrollâs (1991) pyramid. Garments sector is one of the most important sectors of industries in our country. Practicing CSR in this industry is very much necessary. This paper aims to investigate that what level of CSR activities are practiced by our garment industry. This study also identifies to what extend Carrollâs (1991) pyramid is understood by the corporate body of our garment industry. In this regard, we take interviews of 50 garments workers and top executives from the areas of Savar, Gazipur, Ashulia and Tongi. At the end of the study, we explore the implications of these findings and suggest actions to practice CSR properly in the Bangladesh garment industry.
Significance and Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility.pdfTEWMAGAZINE
Â
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has emerged as a cornerstone of modern business practices, reflecting a growing recognition of the broader societal impact of corporate activities
EVALUATION OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ETHICS OF WIPROSudharshanE1
Â
The following evaluates the degree of organizational ethics and examines the various techniques and strategies through which WIPRO is fulfilling their responsibilities to key stakeholders. CSR can be defined as âA company's sense of responsibility towards the community and environment (both ecological and social) in which it operates.
Analysis of the effects of economic corporate social responsibility on financ...inventionjournals
Â
The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect economic corporate social responsibility on Financial performance. The study was guided by the following objectives: To analyze the effect of innovational CSR cost on financial performance, to examine the effect of social quality practices spending on financial performance ,to find out the effect of corporate entrepreneurship spending on financial performance and to examine the effect of financial literacy expenditure CSR on financial The study was guided by Stakeholders theory, Shareholder theory and Shareholder-Based Financial Performance theory. This study used quantitative research approaches. Quantitative research is generally associated. Collecting and converting data into numerical form so that statistical calculations can be made and conclusions drawn. This study will employ descriptive research design. The target population used was 100 and sampling procedure used was stratified. The study used primary (collected using questionnaires) and secondary data (trend analysis). To test the validity of the research instruments the questionnaires prepared and submitted to the supervisor and other research experts. In order to test the reliability of the instrument used in this study, the researcher used test retest method. Descriptive and inferential statistics method was used for data analysis and interpretation regression model was used to analyze the effect between variables. The study recommended that companies should ensure effective sustainability programs which include social responsibility, They should also ensure effective social programs are accomplished through cause-related marketing and corporate philanthropy, they should also create initiative which has beneficial relationship between the corporation and society, they should also should ensure corporate governance which is the framework of rules and practices by which a board of directors and embrace accountability, fairness, and transparency in a company's relationship with its stakeholders. For further research the study suggests that more studies should be done on economic social responsibility and corporate governance, economic social responsibility and financial literacy.
Essay on Corporate Social Responsibility CSR
Essay On Csr
Corporate Social Responsibility
Csr : Corporate Social Responsibility Essay
Reflection On Corporate Social Responsibility
Corporate Social Responsibility in GRI
Csr Essay
What is Corporate Responsibility Essay
Corporate Social Responsibility : Csr Essay
Corporate Social Responsibility ( Csr ) Essay
Corporate Social Responsibility : Csr Essay
Corporate Social Responsibility Of Unilever
Bmw s Corporate Social Responsibility
Corporate Social Responsibility
Corporate Social Responsibility : Csr
Corporate Social Responsibility Essay
Sugarcane Companyâs performance has remained to be one of the challenging facts in the growing companies in Kenya today. The delays in harvesting operations are attributed to uncoordinated and unpredictable harvesting and transport schedules; and inefficiencies in mill operations. Therefore, the main aim of the study is to determine the influence of Sustainability Management Systems CSR on firm performance of selected sugarcane companies in Kenya. The study is guided by Corporate Social Performance Theory. This study used ex- post facto research design. Ex- post facto research design determines and reports the way things are. The target population was 528 employees. This study therefore sampled 228 respondents. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 10 managers, 24 supervisors, 38 accountants and 156 clerks from the 7 sugarcane companies because they have specific information concerning the effects of corporate social responsibility practice on firm performance of selected sugarcane companies in Kenya. Pilot study was done in order to test for validity and reliability of the research tools. The pilot study was done in Trans-Mara Sugar Company found in rift Valley region of Kenya. For inferential statistics, correlation and multiple regression was used for comparative analysis between frequencies of corporate social responsibility practice on firm performance. The study findings indicated that sustainability management systems have an effect on firm performance. The government will use this study in establishing policies that would ensure improvement in firm performance of sugarcane processing firms among other firms in Kenya. The study recommends that the companies should encourage sustainability management systems since sustainable management systems is an important mechanism for improving corporate sustainability performance. It can generate business value through measurement and management of sustainability risks and opportunities. The study recommends further researchers to study on corporate social responsibility strategy and financial performance of firms in Kenya which the study didnât cover.
Operation âBlue Starâ is the only event in the history of Independent India where the state went into war with its own people. Even after about 40 years it is not clear if it was culmination of states anger over people of the region, a political game of power or start of dictatorial chapter in the democratic setup.
The people of Punjab felt alienated from main stream due to denial of their just demands during a long democratic struggle since independence. As it happen all over the word, it led to militant struggle with great loss of lives of military, police and civilian personnel. Killing of Indira Gandhi and massacre of innocent Sikhs in Delhi and other India cities was also associated with this movement.
Normal Labour/ Stages of Labour/ Mechanism of LabourWasim Ak
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Normal labor is also termed spontaneous labor, defined as the natural physiological process through which the fetus, placenta, and membranes are expelled from the uterus through the birth canal at term (37 to 42 weeks
Read| The latest issue of The Challenger is here! We are thrilled to announce that our school paper has qualified for the NATIONAL SCHOOLS PRESS CONFERENCE (NSPC) 2024. Thank you for your unwavering support and trust. Dive into the stories that made us stand out!
Exploiting Artificial Intelligence for Empowering Researchers and Faculty, In...Dr. Vinod Kumar Kanvaria
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Exploiting Artificial Intelligence for Empowering Researchers and Faculty,
International FDP on Fundamentals of Research in Social Sciences
at Integral University, Lucknow, 06.06.2024
By Dr. Vinod Kumar Kanvaria
2024.06.01 Introducing a competency framework for languag learning materials ...Sandy Millin
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http://sandymillin.wordpress.com/iateflwebinar2024
Published classroom materials form the basis of syllabuses, drive teacher professional development, and have a potentially huge influence on learners, teachers and education systems. All teachers also create their own materials, whether a few sentences on a blackboard, a highly-structured fully-realised online course, or anything in between. Despite this, the knowledge and skills needed to create effective language learning materials are rarely part of teacher training, and are mostly learnt by trial and error.
Knowledge and skills frameworks, generally called competency frameworks, for ELT teachers, trainers and managers have existed for a few years now. However, until I created one for my MA dissertation, there wasnât one drawing together what we need to know and do to be able to effectively produce language learning materials.
This webinar will introduce you to my framework, highlighting the key competencies I identified from my research. It will also show how anybody involved in language teaching (any language, not just English!), teacher training, managing schools or developing language learning materials can benefit from using the framework.
Macroeconomics- Movie Location
This will be used as part of your Personal Professional Portfolio once graded.
Objective:
Prepare a presentation or a paper using research, basic comparative analysis, data organization and application of economic information. You will make an informed assessment of an economic climate outside of the United States to accomplish an entertainment industry objective.
Executive Directors Chat Leveraging AI for Diversity, Equity, and InclusionTechSoup
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Letâs explore the intersection of technology and equity in the final session of our DEI series. Discover how AI tools, like ChatGPT, can be used to support and enhance your nonprofit's DEI initiatives. Participants will gain insights into practical AI applications and get tips for leveraging technology to advance their DEI goals.
TESDA TM1 REVIEWER FOR NATIONAL ASSESSMENT WRITTEN AND ORAL QUESTIONS WITH A...
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Applying International Standards And Guidelines On Corporate Social Responsibility An Action Plan
1. Corporate social re-
sponsibility (CSR),
or sustainable entre-
preneurship, has be-
come more promi-
nent on company
agendas over the
past decade. It in-
volves finding a re-
sponsible balance between the concern for eco-
nomic prosperity (âprofitâ), environmental
quality (âplanetâ), and human well-being (âpeo-
pleâ), while at the same time communicating
openly about these matters with stakeholders
(Cramer, 2003a). For expanded definitions of
these concepts, see the sidebar accompanying
this article.
Corporate social responsibility does not stop
at a nationâs border. This is especially true for
larger companies that do business and invest
worldwide. Particularly in the case of local corpo-
rate offices in developing countries, the question
becomes: How can companies put their social re-
sponsibility principles into practice?
Even small and medium-sized companies are
increasingly being reminded of the international
context in which
they conduct busi-
ness. Through the
globalization of the
economy, compa-
nies are becoming
involved in a net-
work of interna-
tional chains of
suppliers and customers.
Background: CSR Standards and Guidelines
Various international standards and guide-
lines on corporate social responsibility have
been developed in recent years. All of them aim
to provide practical rules regarding how corpo-
rate social responsibility can be implemented
within business organizations in an interna-
tional context. A standard (or norm) implies
that companies can and should achieve a uni-
form output, while a guideline provides a set of
guiding principles.
Environmental Quality Management / Spring 2005 / 71
Š 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com).
DOI: 10.1002/tqem.20048
Jacqueline Cramer
Applying International
Standards and Guidelines
on Corporate Social
Responsibility: An Action
Plan
Understanding (and
implementing) the basics
of CSR
2. Jacqueline Cramer
72 / Spring 2005 / Environmental Quality Management
The standards and guidelines that have been
developed over the years are so extensive and
wide-ranging that it is easy to lose sight of the rel-
ative importance of each of them.
About This Article
This article seeks to simplify the process of im-
plementing corporate social responsibility practices
by suggesting a basic action plan that companies
can follow. The discussion outlines how the various
standards and guidelines on corporate social re-
sponsibility can be used within companies, and in
which sequence they should be implemented.
Categories of CSR Standards and Guidelines
CSR standards and guidelines can be catego-
rized in several ways, as noted in the literature on
corporate social responsibility (Leipziger, 2003).
Performance-Oriented and Process-Oriented
One important distinction is between âper-
formance-orientedâ and âprocess-orientedâ
measures.
⢠Performance-oriented standards and guidelines:
Minimum standards and guidelines regarding
the performance that a company should
achieve in an economic, environmental, and
social sense.
⢠Process-oriented standards and guidelines: Proce-
dures that a company should follow in shap-
ing its corporate social responsibility pro-
gram. Together, these procedures form the
management system.
Unilateral, Bilateral, and Multilateral
Another key distinction reflects the way in
which the CSR standard or guideline has been es-
tablished.
⢠Unilateral standards and guidelines are devel-
oped by the company itself.
⢠Bilateral standards and guidelines are devel-
oped by two parties (for instance, a company
and a trade union).
⢠Multilateral, or stakeholder-oriented, stan-
dards and guidelines are developed by a net-
People, Planet, and Profit
Corporate social responsibility seeks to balance the needs of human well-being (âpeopleâ), environmental quality
(âplanetâ), and economic prosperity (âprofitâ). Within the context of CSR, these terms have expansive meanings, as
described below.
⢠âPeopleâ encompasses corporate contributions to both internal social policy (the nature of employment, labor
and management relations, employee health and safety, training and education, and equal opportunity) and ex-
ternal social policy, which includes human rights (including nondiscrimination, freedom of association and collec-
tive bargaining, child labor, forced and compulsory labor, disciplinary practices; security practices, and indige-
nous rights); society (including community activities); bribery and corruption; financial contributions to political
parties; competition and pricing; product responsibility (including consumer health and safety, products and ser-
vices, advertising, and respect for personal privacy). The company must be concerned not only with its own part
of the product chain, but also with other links in the chain that the company can affect.
⢠âPlanetâ relates to the environmental impacts of the companyâs production activities; the use of scarce goods
(such as energy, water, and raw materials); and the environmental impacts of its product chain.
⢠âProfitâ stands for the companyâs contribution to economic prosperity in the broadest senseâthat is, it encom-
passes both direct economic impacts (involving the monetary flows between the organization and its key stake-
holders) and indirect economic impacts (spin-off from company activities in terms of factors such as innovation;
the sectorâs contribution to gross domestic product or national competitiveness; and the local communityâs de-
pendence on the companyâs activities).
3. Environmental Quality Management / Spring 2005 / 73
Applying International Standards and Guidelines on Corporate Social Responsibility
ally check to make sure that it is progressing to-
ward its agreed targets.
Experience shows that each company will fol-
low its own route toward the process of achieving
corporate social responsibility. An organizationâs
approach depends on the specific circumstances
in which the company finds itself, and on the
level of support for CSR within the organization.
Ultimately, however, the company should put
into practice all the activities listed above.
The first three activities in particular relate to
what the company should perform. In this con-
text, performance-oriented standards and guide-
lines can be helpful.
The latter three
activities are oriented
toward the process of
monitoring CSR prog-
ress, establishing it
within the company,
and communicating
about it. For these pur-
poses, process-oriented
standards and guidelines are most relevant.
Corporate Social Responsibility in an
International Context: Establishing How
Companies Can Implement CSR
How can a company start the process of
achieving corporate social responsibility in an in-
ternational context, making use of the diverse
standards and guidelines that are available?
In the Netherlands, this question has been
addressed within the framework of a program
launched by the National Initiative for Sustain-
able Development (NIDO). From 1999 through
2005, NIDO is being financed through funding
from the Dutch government. Its goal is to pro-
mote sustainable initiatives and structurally an-
chor them into society. Several sustainability
programs have been set up within the framework
of NIDO.
work of organizations based on extensive
negotiations.
Generic, Theme-Specific, and Targeted
CSR standards or guidelines also can be dis-
tinguished by their intended range or scope.
⢠Generic standards or guidelines cover all
themes that are relevant for corporate social
responsibility.
⢠Theme-specific standards or guidelines focus
on specific themes, such as labor, environ-
ment, corruption, or human rights.
⢠Targeted standards and guidelines may focus
on specific stakeholders or target groups, spe-
cific sectors, and/or specific regions.
A Structured Approach to CSR
Generally speaking, putting corporate social
responsibility into practice involves six activities
(Cramer, 2003a):
⢠formulating a preliminary vision and mission
regarding corporate social responsibility and,
if desired, a code of conduct;
⢠interacting with stakeholders about their ex-
pectations and demands and reformulating
the preliminary vision and mission based on
these interactions;
⢠developing short- and longer-term strategies
regarding corporate social responsibility and
using them to draft a plan of action;
⢠setting up a monitoring and reporting system;
⢠embedding the CSR process by establishing it
within the companyâs quality and manage-
ment systems; and
⢠communicating internally and externally
about the CSR program and the results ob-
tained.
Working through these activities is a cyclical,
iterative process. The organization must continu-
Experience shows that each
company will follow its own route
toward the process of achieving
corporate social responsibility.
4. Jacqueline Cramer
74 / Spring 2005 / Environmental Quality Management
One program, called âCorporate Social Re-
sponsibility in an International Context,â runs
from January 2003 to August 2005. The objective
of this program is to determine, in cooperation
with 20 Dutch companies, how companies can
employ corporate social responsibility in an in-
ternational context.
A prior article in this journal discussed a re-
lated NIDO program called âFrom Financial to
Sustainable Profitâ (Cramer, 2003b).
CSR Action Plan
Based on the practical experience gained
within NIDOâs âCorpo-
rate Social Responsibil-
ity in an International
Contextâ program, an
action plan has been
formulated outlining
how to use the variety
of international stan-
dards and guidelines
on corporate social re-
sponsibility. This action plan consists of two steps:
⢠assessing the businessâs current status with re-
spect to corporate social responsibility and
⢠elaborating the main focal points regarding
activities in the area of corporate social re-
sponsibility
Each of these steps is discussed in more detail
below.
Step 1: Assessing the Businessâs Current CSR
Status
In order to gain an idea of a companyâs sta-
tus with respect to corporate social responsibil-
ity, it is important to assess the organizationâs
current CSR performance. Such an assessment
can be made using a questionnaire that high-
lights all aspects of corporate social responsibil-
ity based on a compilation of existing standards
and guidelines.
Several âsustainability scorecardsâ are cur-
rently available. With the help of such a score-
card, a zero-assessment can be made of the com-
panyâs performance in the area of corporate social
responsibility. The evaluation can then be sub-
stantiated by documenting quantitative and
qualitative data. Usually, the assistance of exter-
nal consultants is needed to interpret the results
gained from the assessment.
An alternative, less labor-intensive method
of assessing a companyâs CSR status is to
broadly review the organizationâs âstate of the
artâ concerning CSR, based on the most impor-
tant generic standards and guidelines. The ob-
jective here is to identify CSR themes that are
still underexposed or that require more atten-
tion by the company. This assessment can be
based on a relatively simple questionnaire com-
pleted by local managers, or on the personal
judgment of a selected group of corporate-level
company representatives. With this type of as-
sessment, actual company performance on each
CSR aspect can be highlighted only in a very
general way.
Most participants in the NIDO program pre-
ferred the second assessment option. It was seen
as an efficient way to familiarize their organiza-
tions with the issue of corporate social responsi-
bility in an international context and create sup-
port for the endeavor.
The companies participating in the NIDO
program, along with various experts involved,
found that, for purposes of making the initial
CSR assessment, the most important guidelines
are the Organisation for Economic Co-operation
and Development (OECD) guidelines for multi-
national enterprises and the United Nations (UN)
Global Compact.
The company representatives who took the
lead in implementing corporate social responsi-
In order to gain an idea of a
companyâs status with respect to
corporate social responsibility, it is
important to assess the
organizationâs current CSR
performance.
5. Environmental Quality Management / Spring 2005 / 75
Applying International Standards and Guidelines on Corporate Social Responsibility
Labor Rights
⢠The International Labor Organization (ILO):
Tripartite Declaration of Principles Concern-
ing Multinational Enterprises and Social Policy
(an integration of the main ILO conventions
and recommendations). Performance-oriented
standard.
⢠Social Accountability 8000 (a worldwide,
commonly used standard in the area of labor
norms). Performance- and process-oriented
standard, including certification options.
⢠OHSAS 18001, an assessment specification for
occupational health and safety management
systems. Process-
oriented.
⢠AccountAbility
1000 Framework, a
standard for social
and ethical ac-
counting. Process-
oriented.
Environment
⢠The Rio Declaration on Environment and De-
velopment (the UN starting point regarding
environment and development). Performance-
oriented.
⢠The CERES (Coalition for Environmentally
Responsible Economies) principles, ten prin-
ciples that cover the main environmental is-
sues and also form the basis for the Global Re-
porting Initiative (GRI) guidelines (discussed
later). Performance-oriented as well as, to a
lesser extent, process-oriented. A comparable
set of principles is The Natural Step.
⢠ISO 14001, a widely used international stan-
dard for environmental management sys-
tems. Process-oriented.
Anticorruption
⢠The OECD Convention on Combating
Bribery of Foreign Public Officials in Interna-
bility within their organizations reformulated the
OECD guidelines and the UN Global Compact
into a questionnaire that was adapted to their
particular business situations.
This questionnaire was distributed within
each organization, usually after the CEO or an-
other general manager had explained the rele-
vance of completing it. Respondents were asked
to answer in simple terminologyâfor instance,
by giving simple âyes or noâ responses or by
using a color code consisting of red (for a very
problematic issue), yellow (a potentially prob-
lematic issue), and green (not a problematic
issue).
Using this self-assessment, the organization
could make an initial selection of main focal
points for activities in the area of corporate social
responsibility.
Step 2: Elaborating the Main Focal Points for
CSR Activities
In order to further elaborate the main CSR
focal points selected in the first step, organiza-
tions may find it helpful to use various theme-
specific standards and guidelines, especially those
discussed in the following section. For a detailed
description of these standards and guidelines, see
a book by Deborah Leipziger entitled The Corpo-
rate Responsibility Code Book (2003).
Key CSR Standards and Guidelines
Human Rights
The main standard here is the Universal Dec-
laration of Human Rights (the UN framework for
human rights), a performance-oriented standard.
A performance- and process-oriented stan-
dard, âNorms on the Responsibilities of Trans-
national Corporations and Other Business Enter-
prises Regarding Human Rights,â is currently
under preparation, but there is as yet no agree-
ment on these norms in a UN context.
In order to further elaborate the
main CSR focal points selected in
the first step, organizations may
find it helpful to use various theme-
specific standards and guidelines.
6. Jacqueline Cramer
76 / Spring 2005 / Environmental Quality Management
tional Business Transactions (a legal frame-
work for coping with corruption practices).
Legally binding performance standard.
⢠The Business Principles for Countering
Bribery (a multistakeholder framework ad-
dressing corruption). Performance- and
process-oriented.
Economy
Standards related to corporate contributions
to economic welfare in the broadest sense are
lacking.
Generic
In addition to the OECD guidelines for multi-
national enterprises and the UN Global Compact,
just mentioned, the following generic guidelines
also may be helpful:
⢠The International Finance Corporation (IFC)
guidelines of the
World Bank (social
and environmental
policy criteria for fi-
nancing projects). Per-
formance-oriented
standard. For more in-
formation, see http://
www.ifc.org/ifcext/
enviro.nsf/Content/PoliciesandGuidelines.
⢠Sustainability: Integrated Guidelines for Man-
agement (SIGMA) Project (an attempt to inte-
grate all aspects of corporate social responsibil-
ity into one framework). Process-oriented
standard (not yet generally accepted; still under
preparation). See www.projectsigma.com.
⢠Global Reporting Initiative reporting guide-
lines (guidelines for standardization of report-
ing about corporate social responsibility,
based on the main GRI guidelines and stan-
dards; increasingly accepted as a basis for re-
porting). Process-oriented. See www.globalre-
porting.org. This standard continues to be
further developed.
Getting Started on CSR
When a company starts the process of imple-
menting corporate social responsibility, it can be
very useful to follow the type of action plan al-
ready described.
It is preferable to begin the process with a
zero-assessment. For this purpose, the company
can use generic guidelines, especially the OECD
guidelines for multinational enterprises and the
UN Global Compact.
After determining the main focal points for
CSR activities, the company can begin to make
use of theme-specific guidelines and standards.
Based on the experience of the companies in-
volved in the NIDO program, companies should
not attempt to apply all these guidelines and
standards at once. Instead, they should proceed
in a step-wise fashion.
As a company proceeds in implementing cor-
porate social responsibility measures, the number
of theme-specific standards and guidelines to be
applied can gradually increase and be made into
a consistent and integrated whole. As part of this
process, the organization should take into ac-
count not only its own production processes, but
also other aspects of the product chain.
CSR Standards and Guidelines: The State of
the Art
At present, various theme-specific interna-
tional standards and guidelines on corporate so-
cial responsibility are still being developed. As
of this writing in 2004, the state of the art is as
follows:
⢠For internal social policy (particularly labor
norms), generally accepted performance- and
process-oriented standards (including a
framework for certification) are available.
After determining the main focal
points for CSR activities, the
company can begin to make use of
theme-specific guidelines and
standards.
7. Environmental Quality Management / Spring 2005 / 77
Applying International Standards and Guidelines on Corporate Social Responsibility
and region-specific or based on multistake-
holder agreements.
⢠For economic policy (that is, corporate contri-
butions to economic prosperity in the broad-
est sense), standards are lacking.
References
Cramer, J. (2003a). Learning about corporate social responsi-
bility: The Dutch experience. Amsterdam: IOS Press.
Cramer, J. (2003b, Winter). Corporate social responsibility:
Lessons learned. Environmental Quality Management, 13(2),
59â66.
Leipziger, D. (2003). The corporate responsibility code book.
Sheffield, UK: Greenleaf Publishing.
⢠For external social policy in the area of
human rights and anticorruption, there are
generally accepted performance-oriented
standards. For anticorruption, there are also
process-oriented guidelines.
⢠For other external social policy issues (partic-
ularly involvement in the local community),
no performance- or process-oriented stan-
dards or guidelines yet exist.
⢠For environmental policy, generally accepted
performance-oriented guidelines and process-
oriented standards exist. The performance-
oriented standards now available are sector-
Jacqueline Cramer is a professor of environmental management at Erasmus University Rotterdam and manager of the
Corporate Social Responsibility in an International Context program of the National Initiative for Sustainable Development
(NIDO). She can be reached by e-mail at jmcramer@xs4all.nl.