Corporate social responsibility csr definition, concepts. Corporate social responsibility is a term that has come to mean whatever a company does to give back to the community in which it has a presence. Various terms are used in relation to sr in south africa, including corporate social responsibility. Corporate responsibility or sustainability is therefore a prominent feature of the business and society literature, addressing topics of business ethics, corporate social performance, global corporate. Corporate social responsibility csr is a concept which has many interpretations and typically has economic, social and environmental dimensions. In general, social responsibility is an important aspect which requires the responsible bodies to disclose both mandatory and voluntary corporate and social information to the public or stakeholders. For example, they argue, ackerman and bauer3 among them, that the connotation of responsibility. Corporate social responsibility csr is how companies manage their business processes to produce an overall positive impact on society. Corporate engagement with society, also termed corporate social responsibility csr, has become a commonly used term in contemporary society and refers to one process by which an organization expresses and develops its corporate culture and social consciousness rupp et al, 2006 and calderon, 2011. Pdf defining corporate social responsibility researchgate. Pdf this paper aims to provide a working definition of corporate social responsibility csr. Defining corporate social responsibility scholarlycommons. Social responsibility is the idea that businesses should balance profitmaking activities with activities that benefit society. Corporate social responsibility csr is a business model that helps a company be socially accountableto itself, its stakeholders, and the.
Corporate social responsibility csr is a very common term in the corporate and social sectors these days. Nevertheless, csr definition that captures the main aspects of the term can be proposed as corporate initiative to assess and take responsibility for the companys effects on the environment and impact on social welfare investopedia, 20, online. Pdf evolution of the concept and definition of corporate. Perceptions and definitions of social responsibility iisd. Other expressions, such as corporate citizenship and corporate sustainability are seen as expressing similar objectives but are less well used. Stakeholders and corporate social responsibility history sparked by the labor movement, the concept of corporate social responsibility csr has only been in existence since the 1950s. Corporate social responsibility is the continuing commitment by. Perceptions and definitions of social responsibility. On a wide range of issues corporations are encouraged to behave socially responsibly welford and frost, 2006. There is an impressive history associated with the evolution of the concept and definition of corporate social responsibility csr. Corporate social responsibility csr and corporate citizenship are also often used synonymously. Corporate social responsibility csr has been found to positively affect the financial performance of firms. Definitions of corporate social responsibility what is. Corporate social responsibility initiatives are based on four different categories.
Various terms are used in relation to sr in south africa, including corporate social responsibility csr. A companys sense of responsibility towards the community and environment both ecological and social in which it operates. Corporate engagement with society, also termed corporate social responsibility csr, has become a commonly used term in contemporary society and refers to. Other times, a company will choose to demonstrate its corporate social responsibility. Evolution of the concept and definition of corporate social responsibility. What do we mean by corporate social responsibility. If you are like others in any of these roles, we think its also quite possible that you feel challenged and pulled by the demands and expectations surrounding the buzz for corporate social responsibility. This book is a concise and authoritative reference work and dictionary in the field of corporate social responsibility, sustainability, business ethics and corporate governance. Corporate social responsibility csr, corporate citizenship cc and corporate responsibility cr. Corporate social responsibility and sustainability. Corporate social responsibility definition corporate.
An overview of corporate social responsibility 4 what is the business case for csr. Modern companies are increasingly becoming involved in society and show a growing interest in corporate social responsibility. He corporate world is facing the notion of corporate social responsibility csr wherever it turns these days. The conclusions, based on historical perspectives, philosophical analyses, impact of changing contexts and situations and practical considerations, show that one solution fits all definition. The corporate responsibility definition is selfexplanatory.
The confusion of terms shows, on the one hand, that csr is a broad field and covers. This paper provides an overview of the contemporary debate on the concepts and definitions of corporate social responsibility csr and corporate sustainability cs. Corporate social responsibility csr definition investopedia. A systems approach for socially responsible capitalism abstract although the concept of corporate social responsibility csr has been advocated for. An overview and new research directions the idea of corporate social responsibility csr that is, businesses bearing a responsibility. Pdf in this introductory paper to a new journal, i set the stage with a definition of corporate social responsibility csr followed by its relation. Corporate social responsibility, csr definitions, csr core characteristics. The paper mill demonstrated corporate social responsibility. The findings show that the understanding of corporate responsibility. The paper points to the influence of the most important dimension of the corporate social responsibility csr.
Often referred to as corporate social responsibility, the corporate responsibility definition. Defining corporate social responsibility csr analyses economic, legal, moral, social and physical aspects of environment. Corporate social responsibility, csr definitions, csr core characteristics, scope of csr, theories in csr 1. The classical view of csr was narrowly limited to philanthropy and then shifted to. Corporate social responsibility definition and example. It covers sustainability, social impact and ethics, and done correctly. In order to remedy this problem, the following definition is presented. Because no globally uniform definition of corporate social responsibility exists, the concepts relating to the topic are historically and culturally influenced both in the corporate. The area defined by advocates of csr increasingly covers a wide range of issues such as plant closures, employee relations, human rights, corporate. Corporate social responsibility csr refers to strategies corporations or firms. Pdf what is corporate social responsibility all about. Ethical responsibility is about looking after the welfare of the employees by ensuring fair labor.
This encyclopedia entry provides an overview of the topics of corporate social responsibility csr and corporate social performance csp. Corporate social responsibility may also be referred to as corporate citizenship and can involve spending finances that do not directly benefit the company but rather advocate positive social. Thematic issue on corporate social responsibility corporate social responsibility. A r eview on definitions, core characteristics and theoretical perspectives. Corporate social responsibility munich personal repec archive. Society began to expect companies to accept additional social.
Pdf corporate social responsibility csr and corporate. Csr has become so important that many organizations have rebranded their core values to include social responsibility. In this article, the author traces the evolution of the csr construct beginning in the 1950s, which marks the modern era of csr. Corporate social responsibility fachhochschule kiel. Corporate social responsibility csr definition, concepts and. Julie rothbardt, department of political economy and commerce, monmouth college defining csr corporate social responsibility csr has been defined by interest groups, organizations, and academicians in several different ways. Corporate social responsibility csr is a type of international private business selfregulation that aims to contribute to societal goals of a philanthropic, activist, or charitable nature by engaging in or.
Social responsibility represents the obligation of management to undertake certain activities that contribute to improving the welfare of the company and whole society. Definitions of csr there is no universally accepted definition of csr. Corporate social responsibility cambridge dictionary. Corporate social responsibility, often abbreviated csr, is a corporations initiatives to assess and take responsibility for the companys effects on environmental and social wellbeing. Corporate social responsibility csr is a selfregulating business model that helps a company be socially accountableto itself, its stakeholders, and the public. The concept of corporate social responsibility csr began in the 1920s. Different types of corporate social responsibility csr. Thus the number of different definitions is huge and is this chapter we will look at some of these. Corporate social responsibility as an obligation according to j. With this in mind, bowen defined the social responsibilities of.
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