The importance of corporate social responsibility (hereinafter referred to as CSR) is on the rise, and more and more companies are engaging in activities such as cause-related marketing, employee volunteering and/or corporate philanthropy, commonly referred to CSR programmes. More than 80 % of Fortune 500 companies deal with CSR issues in the United States. In Europe the number of companies doing this is also growing, led by companies such as The Body Shop and SAP. What are the reasons for this trend? On the one hand, consumers are becoming increasingly aware of bad business practices in times of increasing media coverage and advanced information technology. Twitter storms and Facebook campaigns have enabled consumers to exert their powers of protest and boycotting, resulting in negative economic consequences for the companies. For instance the Coca-Cola #notinmyfridge twitter campaign is said to have had an impact on the company’s global sales due to the negative publicity. On the other hand, there is evidence that CSR is not only “the moral thing to do”, but also has a positive impact on the company’s relationships with its stakeholders, such as employees, customers and consumers. CSR is reported to have a positive impact on both consumer product responses as well as its attitude towards the company, including consumers’ identification with the company. <img src="file:///page4image15696" />Still, there are still many knowledge gaps with regards to how these CSR programmes are being developed and implemented today. In addition to this, there is limited research on how the programmes are being perceived by stakeholders such as customers, consumers, employees and leaders, or indeed what the main driving forces are behind setting up such programmes. Is it a desire to be a great company or just a precaution to avoid “twitter"-storms?

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is becoming more central to the success of corporations, and its importance within South Africa is pertinent given that the transition from apartheid has yet to be followed by an equalling of society, with social and economic divisions persisting. As one of the most emotive basic human rights, health care provision remains unequal, with the private sector still serving an historically advantaged minority and the public sector carrying the burden of the populist majority. This study explored the role the of the private health care sector in light of the growing importance of CSR, against the backdrop of the national health insurance debate and the understanding of the role the private sector can play in achieving the national health care objectives. Exploratory research and qualitative analysis methodology were carried out for this research, utilising in-depth semi-structured, face-to-face interviews with ten private health care sector executives. Whilst the private sector executives intellectually understood their specific context and a growing expectation of society from business, in practice the actions of CSR were still grounded in philanthropic activities. Most respondents acknowledged that more should and could be done, with the primarily obstacle being identified as a lack of teamwork and coordination across businesses in the private sector. The public sector is seen as failing, and the private sector sees itself playing a more active role in service delivery and aiding government with the training of the much needed skills within the public sector. / Dissertation (MBA)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) / unrestricted

<p><strong>Abstract</strong></p><p>Date: 2008-11-5</p><p><strong>Level</strong><strong>:</strong>           C thesis in Business Administration, 15ECT</p><p><strong>Authors</strong>:       Beatrice Yola Konlaan       Prince kofi Hanson</p><p><strong>Tutor:           </strong>Mats Viimne</p><p><strong>Title:             </strong>The Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on an Organization’s  stakeholders: Case study: DHL, Sweden.</p><p><strong>Problem:</strong>      How does a corporate social responsibility performance    benefit its stakeholders?</p><p><strong>Purpose:</strong>       This research work will seek to find out how aware DHL is about CSR activities and in what ways this awareness can be impacted on its Stakeholders.</p><p><strong>Methods:      </strong>A qualitative method of approach was used for this research work, with regards to primary data; interviews (face-to-face interview, telephone and email interview) were used. Secondary data sources were literature, articles, journals and internet sources from the university data bases.</p><p><strong>Co</strong><strong>nclusion</strong><strong>:  </strong>The impacts of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities on stakeholders have an overall influence on the organization hence steps must be taken to understand the broad issues that should be addressed, management should come out with an inclusive strategy for stakeholder involvement to carry out research and surveys on effective strategic conversations with stakeholders.<strong></strong></p><p>The involvement and early engagement of stakeholders in the planning process of decision making and implementation is very vital in view of the fact that stakeholders are those affected and affecting change in the community. Stakeholder involvement and collaborative decisions on CSR issues represent a high level of participation programs. However, it is not easy, and must be complemented in many cases with conflict resolution.</p><p>The awareness creation of CSR activities by DHL on its stakeholders would add a very useful contribution to business development and profit making by this organization. The consciousness of CSR would cause all stakeholders alike to play their apart in the sustainability of CSR.</p><p><strong>Key words: </strong>Corporate social responsibility (CSR), Stakeholders, DHL, Sweden.</p>

Abstract Date: 2008-11-5 Level:           C thesis in Business Administration, 15ECT Authors:       Beatrice Yola Konlaan       Prince kofi Hanson Tutor:           Mats Viimne Title:             The Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on an Organization’s  stakeholders: Case study: DHL, Sweden. Problem:      How does a corporate social responsibility performance    benefit its stakeholders? Purpose:       This research work will seek to find out how aware DHL is about CSR activities and in what ways this awareness can be impacted on its Stakeholders. Methods:      A qualitative method of approach was used for this research work, with regards to primary data; interviews (face-to-face interview, telephone and email interview) were used. Secondary data sources were literature, articles, journals and internet sources from the university data bases. Conclusion:  The impacts of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities on stakeholders have an overall influence on the organization hence steps must be taken to understand the broad issues that should be addressed, management should come out with an inclusive strategy for stakeholder involvement to carry out research and surveys on effective strategic conversations with stakeholders. The involvement and early engagement of stakeholders in the planning process of decision making and implementation is very vital in view of the fact that stakeholders are those affected and affecting change in the community. Stakeholder involvement and collaborative decisions on CSR issues represent a high level of participation programs. However, it is not easy, and must be complemented in many cases with conflict resolution. The awareness creation of CSR activities by DHL on its stakeholders would add a very useful contribution to business development and profit making by this organization. The consciousness of CSR would cause all stakeholders alike to play their apart in the sustainability of CSR. Key words: Corporate social responsibility (CSR), Stakeholders, DHL, Sweden.

Purpose: The purpose of this thesis is to explore and analyze how collaboration within a CSR project develops and evolves over time. By analyzing a CSR project that in-volves actors from multiple sectors, the aim is to acquire an increased understand-ing of the collaborative process. Background: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as a concept has been growing in im-portance and is becoming an important part of corporations’ strategy, but there are still issues of how to engage in an efficient and effective way. As consumers are be-coming increasingly aware of CSR it can influences their buying behaviors. It is im-portant for corporations to engage in CSR that can result in both social and finan-cial value. CSR collaboration with external actors can provide and leverage unique combinations of resources and knowledge which could otherwise be hard for the corporation to obtain. The challenge for corporations is to find the right collabora-tive partnerships with the capabilities to meet the needs of society. Different types of actors can have different motivations behind their involvement, raising the issue of how they can collaborate without conflict. Method: To answer the purpose, a case study was conducted. The case study is based on a project called “Bra bostäder för småhushåll till rimligt pris” which is aimed at alle-viate the shortage of affordable housing in Sweden. The project intends to show that it is possible to build more affordable homes where the price for the end con-sumer is considered from the beginning. Primary data was collected through semi-structured interviewees with important actors involved in the case. Conclusion: The ability to develop a CSR project is critically dependent on the collabora-tion between the involved actors. The collaborative process and inclusion of differ-ent actors are based on the competencies, knowledge, and experience. Social as-pects have been the foundation for a shared purpose, but the focus has been on is-sues regarding sustainable financial viability. The collaborative nature has allowed for a unique combinations that would otherwise not been possible and have in-creased the value of the project.

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Background Svenska Spel is a regulated company run by the state and government, where CSR, community and social responsibility is in focus. The highly regulated Swedish gaming market has in recent years become more exposed to competition by foreign unregulated betting companies thru Internet. Problem discussion There are two views regarding CSR and how they are affecting competitive advantage and profitability. On one hand, it suggests that companies foremost shall focus profits and act in the best interest of the shareholders. On the other hand, it connects CSR to be a contributor to competitive advantage that increases the company’s profitability. Problem formulation Svenska Spel is competing with other betting companies who doesn´t act under the same conditions, betting companies that don´t have a responsibility to the state. Svenska Spel has legal obligations to adopt CSR into their business. The other companies choose themselves how they want to act with CSR on the gaming market, they have greater opportunities to choose a strategy that they think is the best. Problem definition Which approach has the unregulated gaming companies on CSR compared with Svenska Spel and their social responsibility in the gaming market? Purpose The purpose of this paper is to compare Svenska Spel with unregulated gambling companies based on how they present and use CSR in the gaming market. Method The scientific method in this study adopted a qualitative, deductive approach with a descriptive touch. The study was based upon the theoretical concepts of CSR and competition, and applied to the empirical study, consisting of data from interviews and secondary sources. The empirical data were the basis for the authors' interpretations through the theoretical frame to complete analyzes and conclusions. Conclusion Svenska Spel´s CSR is deeply implemented in their business and strategies and is the basis for how they operate. The unregulated companies see CSR as a sideline with a relatively strong focus on player responsibility, which also is Svenska Spel´s most important part. Every company in this study upholds an 18-year-old limit for games and the biggest difference between Svenska Spel and the unregulated gaming companies is the player’s budget limit, at Svenska Spel it is mandatory to define your playing budget limit in order to access the games, at the unregulated companies it is optional.

Responsible entrepreneurship is something that is making an impact in society and is taking amore important place among companies, and a concept associated with this is corporate social responsibility. It is a collective name for the responsibility companies are expected to take from society, including taking into account working conditions for employees and environmental impact. The following work intends to investigate how companies that are among Sweden's top 20 most sustainable companies list work with Corporate social responsibility (CSR). The purpose of the work is to understand how the companies work with CSR and this by analyzing and comparing the companies Systembolaget, Ikea and Stena recycling, which are all among the top 20 most sustainable companies in Sweden in 2020. Through relevant theory we have formed an interview guide as a basis for data collection. In total three respondents were interviewed, all of whom had a leading role in corporate responsibility. With an interview guide based on the four aspects of CSR economically, socially, environmentally and ethically a data has been collected. Through an inductive approach, we have drawn conclusions in relation to theory and literature. Since then, through analysis of empirical data, an understanding has been created in how companies work with CSR and how they relate to the theories. The results of the interviews showed that the companies work with CSR and in terms of the different aspects of CSR, there are similarities and differences between the companies. A common denominator for all companies is that of CSR in general. They believe that taking responsibility is part of running a company as the companies are part of society and have a great deal of influence. Furthermore, companies want to be considered legitimate and then take responsibility for their actions. / Ansvarsfullt företagande är något som tar allt större och viktigare plats bland företagen och ett begrepp som förknippas med detta är Corporate social responsibility. Det är ett samlingsnamn för ansvaret företagen förväntas ta av samhället, där bland att ta hänsyn till arbetsvillkor för medarbetare och miljöpåverkan. Följande arbete avser att undersöka hur företag som återfinns bland Sveriges topp 20 mest hållbara företaget lista arbetar med Corporate social responsibility (CSR). Syftet med arbetet är att förstå hur företagen arbetar med CSR och detta genom att analysera och jämföra företagen Systembolaget, Ikea och Stena recycling som alla finns bland topp 20 mest hållbara företagen i Sverige år 2020. Genom relevanta teori har vi format en intervjuguide som underlag för datainsamlingen. Totalt sett intervjuades tre respondenter där alla hade en tongivande roll i företagens ansvarstagande. Med en intervjuguide baserad på de fyra aspekter av CSR ekonomiskt, socialt, miljö och etisk har en data samlats in. Genom en induktiv ansats har vi dragit slutsatser i relation till teori och litteratur. Sedan genom analys av empirisk data har förståelse skapats i hur företagen jobbar med CSR och hur de förhåller sig till teorierna. Resultat av intervjuerna visade att företagens arbetar med CSR och vad det gäller de olika aspekterna om CSR finns det likheter och skillnader mellan företagen. En gemensam nämnare för alla företagen är det på CSR i allmänhet. De anser att ansvarstagande är en del av att styra ett företag då företagen är del av samhället och har ett stort inflytande. Vidare vill företagen anses vara legitima och tar då ansvar för sina handlingar.

The concept of sustainability has become a buzzword in today’s business marketplace. Particularly, the incorporation of sustainability into Supply Chain Management (SCM) has received a great deal of attention from companies of all sizes and even involved a wide range of industries in recent years. Meanwhile, Sustainable Supply Chain Management (SSCM) has been highlighted by academic and corporations. With SSCM, more enterprises have benefited from being sustainable in their daily operations. Although research has made contributions, there is still a lack of understanding on how to achieve sustainable development in SCM. Therefore, the overall purpose of this research is to find out the key success factors for implementing the strategic SSCM. To achieve this target, it is necessary to identify appropriate indicators to measure the sustainable activities and figure out the relationship that combined social and environmental dimensions with supply chain activities. This research focused on Swedish global company. Both summaries of literature review and findings of the case company were analyzed to satisfy the research purpose, as a result, definition of sustainability, implementations in SSCM, and the relationship between sustainability and SCM that are based on the actual situations of the case company were presented. After that, five key success factors for implementing the strategic SSCM have been concluded: (1) SSCM needs to be ensured as a strategy within long-term consideration; (2) Standard management system needs to be complied with daily operations; (3) Communication with stakeholders needs to be increased in the supply chain; (4) Respect for human rights, and provide safety working environment; (5) Control resources usage and reduce negative emission to the environment. Accomplish of this research, on the one hand, it clarified the relationship between sustainability and SCM; on the other hand, it also deepened knowledge about how to achieve a strategic SSCM based on an empirical study in wire and cable manufacturing industry.

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