Theoretical contributions towards rethinking corporate social responsibility

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to propose incorporating another theoretical perspective enabling corporate social responsibility (CSR) to be approached more structurally and with correspondingly broader impacts. Despite CSR being associated with competitive advantage and providing recognised sustainability related benefits, it is argued that the individual CSR results of each company and community acting separately remain insufficient not only in terms of individual competitiveness but also in terms of achieving a global and systemic improvement. Design/methodology/approach – It is from this perspective that the clusters concept and the territorial social responsibility (SR) concept are advanced as susceptible to bringing important insights for advancing SR. This article seeks to reflect on the potential of SR networks for strengthening competitiveness and bringing about sustainable development. Based upon a theoretical review of the CSR literature, limitations are discussed before setting out alternative action strategies for the construction of networks focusing upon generating territorial dynamics within the logic of global sustainability. Findings – The idea of CSR clusters and territorial SR presupposes groupings of companies located in the same territory and engaged in some degree of interaction with other local actors to optimise practices contributing towards sustained regional development in an integrated and global perspective. The definition of social goals shared by different actors structured within a network thus improves the design and implementation of actions that extend beyond a micro-scale of action, with significant benefits accruing to local communities. Analysis of these forms of social innovation, based on integrated CSR networks, constitutes the central objective of the present research. Research limitations/implications – This theoretical perspective is, in turn, based upon the assumption that only the consideration of a wider and more extensive conception of CSR, which aligns and guides various social actors (companies, civil society organisations and local authorities) and seeks to nurture integrated SR networks, will be able to drive development characterised by significant higher levels of sustainability. Practical implications – These concepts (SR clusters and territorial SR) presuppose groupings of companies located in the same territory and engaged in some degree of interaction with other local actors are able to optimise practices contributing towards sustained regional development from an integrated and global perspective. The definition of social goals shared by different actors structured within a network thus improves the design and implementation of actions that extend beyond a micro-scale of action, with significant benefits accruing to local communities. Social implications – Considering a larger scope of intervention, connecting different social actors (companies, civil society organisations and local authorities) and working for the construction of a development model based on the concept of sustainability constitute the relevance of clusters to CSR and the SR of territories. Originality/value – This article highlights the position that SR, to have any effective and widespread impact, has to extend beyond isolated actions uncoordinated with overall territorial development. The challenge involves establishing a connection between the business level and civil society organisations in which each acts within their own spheres and with their respective specific competences and skills whilst able to ensure cooperation and engagement in actions focussed upon improving the quality of life of the host community and bringing about cluster development in overall terms. This theoretical perspective is, in turn, based upon the assumption that only the consideration of a wider and more extensive conception of CSR, which aligns and guides various social actors (companies, civil society organisations and local authorities) and seeks to nurture integrated SR networks, will be able to drive development characterised by significantly higher levels of sustainability.

Corporate social responsibility strategy and economic business value of multinational companies in emerging economies: The mediating role of corporate reputation

“…The concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in business institutions has gained significant debate in academic circles over the years. In fact, it is argued that the growth of multinational companies (MNCs)'s operations in today's' competitive business environment depends on the effective management of their CSR practices, which promote sustainable development of the society and at the same time the economic value creation of the company (Marais, ; Santos, ). Multinational businesses are therefore facing growing expectations and demands from varied stakeholders (Arvidsson, ; Basu & Palazzo, ) to employ and exercise social responsibility with economic value that has reputation.…”

“…Multinational businesses are therefore facing growing expectations and demands from varied stakeholders (Arvidsson, ; Basu & Palazzo, ) to employ and exercise social responsibility with economic value that has reputation. Consequently, CSR is seen as a tool with which businesses can independently take actions that lead to improved levels of global sustainability (Santos, ) and greater value creation for the business that is influenced by corporate reputation.…”

El doble rol de la inversión en recursos humanos en la desigualdad social

“…La sostenibilidad organizativa se vincula a la sostenibilidad de la sociedad cuando se hace evidente que las empresas, con sus estructuras organizativas y decisiones estratégicas, actúan como agentes activos que influyen en el desarrollo sostenible de la sociedad, apareciendo las denominadas «externalidades ambientales» que pueden ser tanto físicas (por ejemplo, reducción de la contaminación) como sociales, entre las que destaca la reducción de la desigualdad social (Barrena Martínez et al, 2016;Chams y García Blandón, 2019;Jerónimo Silvestre et al, 2018). En particular, el clima social de colaboración y compromiso entre empresa y plantilla que crea el equilibrio organizativo puede extenderse a otras actuaciones de la empresa que impliquen a otros grupos de interés, transmitiendo así esa política empresarial de equidad a través de su red social de contactos y afectando finalmente a la sociedad en general (Awan et al, 2018;Porter y Kramer, 2006;Santos, 2014;Stubbs y Cocklin, 2008). Las redes sociales consisten en relaciones de intercambio entre individuos, grupos y organizaciones que incentivan la reciprocidad y la confianza, cimentadas en la presencia del valor ético de equidad compartido por todos esos agentes.…”

“…centrado en la equidad o justicia distributiva que permite la supervivencia a largo plazo de una empresa. Adicionalmente, desde la perspectiva de la sostenibilidad corporativa, se explica cómo ese valor ético de equidad se extiende hacia la sociedad por medio de la red social de colaboración de la empresa, identificando así al equilibrio organizativo como un factor que permite reducir la desigualdad social (por ejemplo, Porter y Kramer, 2006, 2011Santos, 2014).…”

Corporate Social Responsibility Practices of Multinational Companies and Sustainable Development: An Economic Perspective

“…Multinational companies (MNCs) functioning in various communal and ecological situation and establishing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) systems for endorsing collective rights, sustainability which embolden civil responsibility, deprived of overlooking major objectives of monetary sustenance (Santos, 2014). The conception of CSR in communities are as longstanding as the notion of businesses itself (Youd-Thomas, 2005).…”