Corporate social responsibility in procurement: environmentally responsible practices case study

The main object of this study is to find and define environmentally responsible procurement practices and characterize responsible procurement.

Corporate social responsibility in online retail – Perceptions from online discussions on Amazon

Online retail has experienced substantial growth due to the increased utilization of digital technologies. The growth in the industry has created numerous multinational corporations, which serve customers all around the world. As a result, the online retailers’ efforts in sustainability have been more often in publicity. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the efforts going beyond the company’s interest in order to bring social good, have been discussed in the academic community for decades. While the various effects of CSR in retail and business generally have been realized, the research aims to make a contribution by examining the concept from the viewpoint of online retail by focusing on interaction at online discussion forums. The main research question asks: What is the role of online retailer CSR in the online discussion forum context? In order to answer this question, additional three sub-research questions are suggested: 1) What elements of CSR are relevant in the online retailer context? 2) How are discussion forums used in communication regarding CSR and online retail by different discusser types? 3) What kind of company perceptions and consumer behavior appear in online discussions of Amazon’s CSR? The study is qualitative of nature, using the content analysis research method to examine posts found from four different public online discussion forums. A qualitative, interpretative analysis was used, although quantitative measures regarding discussion posts were also presented. The analysis contains a coding process, where attributes are attached to discussion posts. As a result of the process, specific patterns can be indicated in order to categorize the posts. As the research uses Amazon as the case company, the case study method is also adopted. In the online retail context, ethics regarding the online retailer’s tax and labor policies are found as most relevant elements. Customers, using discussion forums to share their experiences and opinions regarding online retailer CSR efforts, are realized as the most prominent stakeholder. The research also highlights the role of online retailer employees providing details on internal business practices. However, the not realize the possibility to participate in discussions. Most discussion posts refer either to a positive, negative or mixed reaction towards CSR efforts, it is suggested that the concept is relevant also in online retail. Although online retailer CSR efforts are somewhat linked to company perceptions, the concept has a minimal role in consumer behavior. In online retail, CSR efforts can reduce the risk of being involved in discussions related to controversies. In addition, online retailer CSR efforts should communicate how the retailer contributes locally.

Corporate social responsibility in online retail – Perceptions from online discussions on Amazon

Online retail has experienced substantial growth due to the increased utilization of digital technologies. The growth in the industry has created numerous multinational corporations, which serve customers all around the world. As a result, the online retailers’ efforts in sustainability have been more often in publicity. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the efforts going beyond the company’s interest in order to bring social good, have been discussed in the academic community for decades. While the various effects of CSR in retail and business generally have been realized, the research aims to make a contribution by examining the concept from the viewpoint of online retail by focusing on interaction at online discussion forums. The main research question asks: What is the role of online retailer CSR in the online discussion forum context? In order to answer this question, additional three sub-research questions are suggested: 1) What elements of CSR are relevant in the online retailer context? 2) How are discussion forums used in communication regarding CSR and online retail by different discusser types? 3) What kind of company perceptions and consumer behavior appear in online discussions of Amazon’s CSR? The study is qualitative of nature, using the content analysis research method to examine posts found from four different public online discussion forums. A qualitative, interpretative analysis was used, although quantitative measures regarding discussion posts were also presented. The analysis contains a coding process, where attributes are attached to discussion posts. As a result of the process, specific patterns can be indicated in order to categorize the posts. As the research uses Amazon as the case company, the case study method is also adopted. In the online retail context, ethics regarding the online retailer’s tax and labor policies are found as most relevant elements. Customers, using discussion forums to share their experiences and opinions regarding online retailer CSR efforts, are realized as the most prominent stakeholder. The research also highlights the role of online retailer employees providing details on internal business practices. However, the not realize the possibility to participate in discussions. Most discussion posts refer either to a positive, negative or mixed reaction towards CSR efforts, it is suggested that the concept is relevant also in online retail. Although online retailer CSR efforts are somewhat linked to company perceptions, the concept has a minimal role in consumer behavior. In online retail, CSR efforts can reduce the risk of being involved in discussions related to controversies. In addition, online retailer CSR efforts should communicate how the retailer contributes locally.

Developing Life Skills through Physical Activity: A Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility Model Approach

Ethnographic methods were used to study a weekly after-school physical activity program over an eight-month period. Based on Hellison’s Teaching Personal and Social Responsibility (TPSR) model, the program sought to foster positive life skills amongst youth. The study investigated how the developed program influenced this life skills education experience. Several themes were identified from the data revolving around culture, life skills, pedagogy, and lessons learned. Data suggests that the positive environment developed within the program positively influenced youths’ life skill education experience. The topic of ethnicity as it relates to the experience of marginalized youth in physical activity settings is also discussed. This study supports TPSR literature and suggests that effort to establish caring relationships and empower youth contribute to the establishment of a positive atmosphere where life skills education can occur. Beyond this, practical tools were developed through this study to help others deliver life skill education.

Corporate Social Responsibility, Corporate Governance, And Managerial Risk-Taking

This dissertation investigates the association between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and managerial risk-taking, as well as the differences in governance structure that affect this association. Using a sample of US public firms from 1995 to 2009, we find that firms with strong CSR records engage in higher risk-taking. Furthermore, we find that this relationship is robust when accounting for differences in governance structure and correcting for endogeneity via simultaneous equations modeling. Additional testing indicates that performance in the employee relations dimension of CSR in particular increases with risk-taking, while high firm visibility dampens the association between CSR and the accounting-based measures of risk-taking. Prior literature establishes that high managerial risk-tolerance is necessary for the undertaking of risky yet value-enhancing investment decisions. Thus, the main findings suggest that CSR, rather than being a waste of scarce corporate resources, is instead an important aspect of shareholder value creation. They contribute to the debate on CSR by documenting that corporate risk-taking is one mechanism among others through which CSR maps into higher firm value.

Ethics and Social Responsibility in the Life Sciences

Social Sciences and Humanities Research CouncilHomerton College, Cambridge, U.K.

Impact of Quality on Ethics and Social Responsibility in Marketing, in Industries in Kerala in the present Indian Scenario

The paper ‘Impact of Quality on Ethics and Social Responsibility in Marketing in Industries in Kerala in the present Indian scenario’ highlights the observations, based on a descriptive research carried out in five leading industries in Kerala, in the private and public sector. Ethics and social responsibilities, practiced in these industries, are reflected in the results of the survey conducted on specific queries like awareness of products/services provided by them, total understanding of the requirements of the customer, open discussion on technical matters, accountability of employees to the society and social needs, consumer ethics vis a vis business ethics etc. Team working goes a long way, in building relations, which in turn, results in a progressive and effective marketing strategy. This assumes paramount importance, considering the severe competition we are facing in the light of liberalization, privatization and globalization, which encompasses the globe. The prediction of India becoming a lead nation, along with USA, China and Japan, in this decade, can get fructified only if we follow a very high standards of ethics and social responsibility, in all domains including marketing. Organizations like TRW.Rane, Sundaram Fasteners, TVS Motors, in Chennai are a few among others in India, who have achieved the highest distinction in quality viz Deming Prize, and these demonstrate their commitment to quality, society and humanity at large. Cost effectiveness, without jeopardizing quality has become the need of the hour and MRTP has become history. This trait is being brought out through the survey and the results speak for themselves. Unethical practices like switch and bait, not only brings shame to the organization, and country but also results in the company getting wiped out from the market. Adherence to standards like ISO 14000 helps to maintain the minimum level of social responsibility and environmental friendliness. Like quality audit, safety audit etc, social audit is being insisted in all progressive countries to ensure that the organization comply with the minimum statutory requirements. The paper also touches upon Corporate Social Responsibility practiced in the industries and this becomes crystal clear through their commitment to improve the community. Green Marketing lays a lot of importance on the three Rs of environmentalism viz Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. The objective of any business is to achieve optimal profit and this is possible only by reducing the cost as well as waste. In this context, management tools like brainstorming, suggestion schemes, benchmarking etc becomes helpful. These characteristics are brought out through the analysis of survey results. The conclusions drawn throw a lot of information on the desirable practices with respect to Ethics and Social Responsibility in Marketing

Corporate Social Responsibility und Stakeholder

Shareholdern, Mitarbeitern und Konsumenten kommt im Rahmen der Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) eine zentrale Rolle zu. Nicht zuletzt aufgrund ihrer ökonomischen Bedeutung für Unternehmen und ihrer Einflussmöglichkeiten auf diese werden sie zu den mithin wichtigsten Stakeholdern gezählt. Innerhalb der unternehmensethischen Diskussion setzt sich dabei verstärkt die Sichtweise eines Business Case von CSR durch, demzufolge CSR generell und insbesondere bei diesen drei Stakeholdern an Bedeutung gewinnt und ein entsprechendes Engagement daher neben finanziellen auch zahlreiche immaterielle Vorteile bedingt. Betrachtet man die Studienlage allerdings genauer, bleibt zu fragen, inwieweit das gezeichnete positive Bild und die ihm zugrunde liegenden Annahmen tatsächlich zutreffend sind. Denn weder liegen ausreichend Studien vor, die sich mit den Prozessen auf der Mikro-Ebene befassen, noch spiegelt sich die postulierte und von Konsumenten in Befragungen geäußerte Kauf- und Zahlungsbereitschaft im Marktanteil ethischer Produkte und Dienstleistungen wider, was im Allgemeinen dann allerdings wiederum durch ein „attitude-behaviour-gap“ erklärt wird. Mit Blick auf ein Socially Responsible Investment (SRI) stellt sich die Sach- oder Marktlage zwar besser dar, doch wird gemeinhin stillschweigend und unhinterfragt davon ausgegangen, dass ein ethisches Investment per se ethisch sei. Die Arbeit setzt an diesen Punkten an und geht nach einer Klärung zentraler Begriffe der Frage nach der Relevanz und Wahrnehmung von CSR bei den drei Stakeholdern anhand eigener qualitativer Fallstudien empirisch nach; d. h. konkret, mittels einer Einzelfallstudie unter der Mitarbeiterschaft eines mittelständischen Unternehmens, einer Konsumentenbefragung zum Kleidungskauf und einer Einzelfallstudie zur Überprüfung der Praxis ethischen Investments anhand des als besonders „ethisch“ ausgewiesenen Ethik-Fonds von Schellhammer & Schattera. Im Endergebnis zeigt sich, dass berechtigte Zweifel an den vielfach postulierten positiven Entwicklungen und Effekten und damit auch der Sichtweise eines Business Case von CSR angebracht sind. Denn selbst der gewählte ethische Fonds kann nicht alle an ein derartiges Investment zu stellenden Kriterien zweifelsfrei erfüllen. In eine ähnlich kritische Richtung weisen auch die Befunde der Konsumentenstudie. Durch die Verwendung eines anderen Untersuchungsansatzes zeigt sich, dass für den Großteil der befragten Konsumenten ethische Aspekte in Wirklichkeit keine oder wenn, eine allenfalls sehr untergeordnete Rolle spielen. Entsprechend handelt es sich möglicherweise beim „attitude-behaviour-gap“ vielfach nur um eine Pseudo-Inkonsistenz, die, wie aufgezeigt wird, theoretisch und methodisch bedingt ist. Im Vergleich dazu fallen die Befunde der Mitarbeiterstudie zwar sehr positiv aus, verweisen jedoch auch auf einen allgemein vernachlässigten zentralen Aspekt des CSR-Engagements. So können die empirisch belegten positiven Effekte zwar bestätigt werden, doch zeigt sich, dass diese wesentlich an die Bedingung der Authentizität von CSR geknüpft zu sein scheinen. Die sich hieraus wie aus den anderen Studien ergebenden Konsequenzen und Fragen werden im Rahmen einer Zusammenfassung abschließend diskutiert.

Social Responsibility, an Approach to the Executive Peruvian Perspective

In recent years the issue of social responsibility is becoming more important, which isreflected in the companies have incorporated it into their agenda of interests. In this sense,the article is intended to make a first approach to the level of implementation efforts, aswell as their prospects for the future. We interviewed a total of 144 people representingdifferent economic sectors. We conclude that the majority of executives do not have aclear understanding of the modern concept of RS nor of its benefits, it limits the concept tophilanthropy and actions are oriented to the community and environment.

Descripción de La estructura organizacional del área de sostenibilidad de Corona en el año 2014

Este articulo tiene como objetivo principal describir el área de Sostenibilidad de la Organización Corona en Colombia como parte de un proyecto de investigación, que abordar los conceptos claves de Responsabilidad Social Empresarial, y a su vez los asocia con la realidad del área de Sostenibilidad de esta empresa. Esta Investigación hace parte de la implementación de un proyecto de investigación aplicada que tiene como fin consolidar la documentación existente sobre las áreas de Responsabilidad Social y Sostenibilidad de empresas con operación en Colombia. A su vez, busca observar la aplicación del concepto de estructura organizacional y gestión ambiental dentro del área para estudiar, conocer y evaluar a profundidad su funcionamiento. Se describió la situación actual y funcionamiento del área de sostenibilidad, y para ello se procedió con la elaboración de entrevistas y estudio de los documentos públicos y privados del área, mediante los cuales se analiza, organiza y presenta la información. Esto tiene como resultado presentar el funcionamiento del área de sostenibilidad en Corona y su interrelación con las demás áreas de la compañía.