- Describe CSR
- Debate the pros & cons of CSR in Canadian business
- Appreciate the various foundations of social responsibility theories
- Explain Carroll’s pyramid of CSR
- Define the 4 contemporary CSR concepts: CS, reputation management, social impact
management, triple bottom line
- Describe corporate & business citizenship
- Explain the complexity of CSR by understanding a unifying CSR framework
Describing CSR
- CSR has had many definitions to date – one is the way a corporation achieves balance
among its economic, social & environmental responsibilities in its operations to address
shareholder & other stakeholder expectations
- Known by many names, including corporate responsibility, corporate accountability,
corporate ethics, corporate citizenship, sustainability, stewardship & the triple-E bottom
line (economical, ethical, environmental)
- Is a general management concern/important to all aspects of business
- Is integrated into a corporation’s operations through its values, culture, decision
making, strategy & reporting mechanisms
- The responsibility of an organization for the impacts of its decisions & activities on
society & the environment, through transparent & ethical behaviour that:
- Contributes to sustainable development, including health & the welfare of society
- Takes into account the expectations of stakeholders
- Is in compliance with applicable law & consistent with international norms of
behaviour
- Is integrated throughout the organization & practiced in its relationships
- 5 key elements:
1. Responsibilities that go beyond production of goods/services at a profit
2. Helping to solve important social problems, especially those they helped create
3. Broader constituency than shareholders alone
4. Impacts that go beyond simple marketplace transactions
5. Wider range of human values than can be captured by sole focus on economic values
- 5 dimensions:
1. Environmental – natural environment
2. Social – relationship between business & society
3. Economic – socio-economic & financial aspects
4. Stakeholder – stakeholders & stakeholder groups
5. Voluntariness – actions not prescribed by law
- 3 roles:
1. Institution in society