This study aims to investigate the interplay between customer attitudes toward sustainable banking practices and their decision-making processes when selecting banks, focusing on the influence of Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems in this dynamic. The research explores how a major Swedish bank communicates its sustainability efforts through CRM strategies, shaping customer perceptions and engagement. By integrating frameworks of CRM theory, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) theory, and the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), the study seeks to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical implementation in sustainable banking. A qualitative research design was employed, utilizing semi-structured interviews with twelve customers of a major Swedish bank. These interviews provided rich, detailed data on customer perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors related to sustainability in banking. Additionally, document analysis of the bank’s annual sustainability report and CRM approaches was conducted to contrast publicized efforts with actual customer perceptions. The major findings reveal that customers prioritize sustainability in their banking decisions and expect banks to adopt and promote sustainable practices. Effective communication of sustainability initiatives through CRM systems significantly enhances customer loyalty and engagement. However, the study also highlights limitations, including the focus on a single bank and geographic region, which may restrict the generalizability of the findings. This research contributes to the theoretical understanding of how sustainability initiatives can be effectively communicated and perceived through CRM systems, enhancing customer engagement and loyalty. It underscores the importance of aligning CRM strategies with sustainability goals, providing practical insights for banks aiming to enhance their sustainability efforts. The findings support the development of more robust theories around the integration of sustainability into CRM and CSR practices, ultimately contributing to global sustainability targets.

As stakeholders start holding companies accountable for the non-financial impacts of their operations, it is increasingly recognised that the parties to whom companies are accountable extends beyond shareholders to include other stakeholders as well. Around the world, companies are responding to stakeholder demands by voluntarily reporting on their corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance. Unscrupulous companies may however, be tempted to use green-wash to make false claims relating to their CSR performance in order to reap the associated benefits. This information risk may be ameliorated through the independent assurance of CSR disclosures, enhancing the confidence of stakeholders in its veracity. Reporting companies usually voluntarily obtain independent assurance on their CSR performance. However, in South Africa, independent CSR assurance is a regulatory requirement for all JSE-listed companies, albeit on an ‘apply or explain’ basis. This thesis, which utilises a mixed methods research approach incorporating both qualitative and quantitative components, seeks to identify and understand the characteristics of the emerging independent CSR assurance phenomenon. In this regard, the empirical component of the study was conducted in three phases: in the first phase companies’ CSR disclosures and assurance reports are examined; in the second phase survey responses from companies are reviewed; and in the third phase interviews with CSR assurors are analysed. In this thesis, the extent to which companies provide independent assurance on their CSR disclosures is established; the providers of independent CSR assurance are identified; the reasons that companies select certain CSR assurance providers are explored; the reasons that companies provide independent assurance on their CSR disclosures are determined; the CSR assurance practices of the various CSR assurors are reviewed and compared; and the primary standards and/or frameworks used in CSR assurance engagements are identified. A conclusion is reached that although independent CSR assurance is a de facto mandatory requirement for JSE-listed companies, only 26% of the companies had their CSR disclosures independently assured. Despite its de facto mandatory nature, the study found that South African CSR assurance practices remain largely unregulated, resulting in a diversity of CSR assurors; utilising various assurance approaches, standards and practices. In this thesis, it is argued that these inconsistencies undermine the purpose of CSR assurance and reduce stakeholder confidence. It is accordingly proposed that the identified deficiencies could be addressed through the regulation of CSR reporting and assurance. An oversight/regulatory body should be established to prescribe the competencies that CSR assurors should possess; to develop appropriate CSR assurance engagement standards; and to clearly articulate the scope that CSR assurance engagements should cover; with which all CSR assurors should comply. / Auditing / D. Com. (Auditing)

台灣的企業在過去數十年有驚人的進步與發展，無數的企業甚至於從家庭工廠或小型公司開始，憑藉台灣人辛勤苦幹與創業家精神戮力經營，逐漸地成長茁壯，進而提升及蛻變，終能在國際上嶄露頭角，甚至成了勝出於國際同業之間的跨國性企業，但是面對企業社會責任(Corporate Social Responsibility，簡稱CSR)由2005年的邊緣性的議題，轉變為2006年全世界談論的焦點之際，台灣企業卻對CSR仍然陌生，倘若不及早規劃因應，恐將遭受極大的衝擊與損失，鑑於公司治理係屬CSR所涵蓋財務面、環境面及社會面等三個面向當中的財務面向，因此允宜在國內過去推動公司治理的經驗與基礎之上，持續推動落實公司治理，並擴大至整體企業社會責任的推動與建制，本研究即秉持這樣的基調，希冀經由探討及瞭解CSR的意涵、沿革、現況與未來發展，透過產業案例之研究，分析檢討台灣在CSR的履行與因應上的問題與缺乏，並試圖提出改善與強化的建議，進而作為未來資本市場本身暨其針對上市上櫃公司及其他市場參與者，宣導、推動及落實CSR的起點與參考。 本文的研究架構共分為五章，「第一章」為緒論，係就研究的背景、動機、目的、範圍與研究的架構與歷程，逐一加以闡述與說明。在研究背景方面，主要列舉近年來，尤其是2006年，全世界所發生關乎企業治理議題、環境議題、社會議題等CSR各面向的新案例，暨CSR新的標準或倡議，以顯示CSR的蓬勃發展；研究動機則導因於總部設在荷蘭的國際機構SOMO所發表一篇對手機品牌大廠有關CSR的報告，鑑於未來將直間接衝擊台灣的供應商與代工業，因此頗有進一步探討研究之必要；研究目的則意欲探究CSR對台灣企業的可能衝擊，促使業者及國內各相關機關、機構及早因應及規劃；研究範圍方面，則為使研究符合具體化且具實務性價值，因此以公司治理相對較有基礎的上市櫃公司且將更以上開SOMO的研究報告相關聯的手機代工業產業為探討檢視的對象；研究的架構與歷程乃以文獻的蒐集參考，加上個案案例研究暨問卷調查分析等方法進行。 「第二章」為CSR的探討，首先係針對CSR的文獻探討部分，分別就CSR的意涵、演進、主要面向、具體內涵及其目標使命加以說明探究；次就CSR的歷來重要的國際倡議與標準，並介紹近年來國際上有關CSR的發展情形、具體作為及重要案例；最後則臚述台灣CSR的現況與問題。 「第三章」為全球與台灣手機市場現況，主要是就本研究所選定手機業的產業狀況分析，包括手機業有關全球與台灣的產業概況、國內產業供應鏈概況暨國內手機業者在全球產業鏈中所佔地位，著重其對上下游廠商的優劣勢，尤其導引出面對品牌大廠的劣勢，因而更有來自大廠的CSR壓力與危機。 「第四章」為台灣手機代工業所面臨CSR之挑戰，先就SOMO組織所發表該篇報告中，針對手機品牌大廠CSR的批判事項以及其中所透露的警訊，另分析探討該等大廠對其代工廠或供應商可能提出的要求或採取的作為，並分析對台灣業者的相關衝擊；另為了具體瞭解及掌握國內手機代工業者的CSR執行現況，乃參考ICT針對供應商CSR自評問卷內容設計簡式問卷，對國內上市手機代工業者進行問卷調查，並分析其缺失問題，也提出其可以強化的做法。 「第五章」為建議與結語，乃針對我國整體與企業面對CSR潮流與挑戰，暨或可規劃努力的策略、方向與層面提出建言；在宣導、推動與機制建立方面，建議「從公司治理到企業社會責任」，以近年來推動公司治理的經驗為本，參照既往的方式與軌跡，朝更多的面向與層面努力以赴，期能克竟其功，並期許台灣企業或可以公司治理與CSR均佳的台積電公司為典範，落實建立與履行CSR，俾能造就更多台灣產出的世界級企業。 / Over decades, some very small family business and manufacturers have grown and developed significantly to large enterprises in Taiwan. Nowadays they are becoming prosperous, developing multinational business, and some are even globally recognized brand names. However, when facing the issue of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which has become an essential issue in 2006, these prosperous enterprises are not familiar with and yet to be well-prepared. Given that corporate governance involves only the financial aspect of CSR, which entails economic, social, environmental, and ecological aspects of firms’ operations and activities, it may well be appropriate to promote overall CSR concept and infrastructure based on corporate governance. This concept serves as the purpose of this dissertation: to analyze and investigate into problems facing enterprises obliged to take CSR, by studying the meaning, background, current circumstances and future developments of CSR, and through case study of mobile phone industry. Hopefully more conclusion and suggestions can be drawn from this dissertation to provide TSE and GTSM listed companies and other market participants with more reference to promote and implement CSR. This dissertation is divided into 5 parts: Chapter 1: Introduction This chapter includes research background, motive, purpose, research scope, structur and process. New cases, especially in 2006, of corporate governance, environmental impact, and social issues are presented in the section of research background to demonstrate new trends of CSR. The motive of conducting this research is based on a report from an international organization named SOMO based in the Netherlands. This report addresses CSR topics regarding worldwide handset manufacturers. CSR issues mentioned in this report will directly affect handset suppliers and ODM/OEM enterprises. With further research and investigation, hopefully handset manufacturers and related enterprises can be more aware of CSR and can better cope with these issues and take proactive measures to prevent CSR related problems, which serves as the purpose of this dissertation. Research scope encompasses listed companies in the handset ODM/OEM enterprises. Research process includes literature review, case study, and questionnaire analysis. Chapter 2: Literature review of CSR This chapter first looks at the definition, evolution, various aspects, practical meaning, and purposes of CSR. Afterwards the international standards of CSR and international practices and development of CSR cases would be elaborated. Finally Taiwan CSR status quo and challenges would be discussed. Chapter 3: Taiwan and global handset manufacturing market status In this chapter, mobile phone industry analysis is conducted, including domestic and global mobile phone market status, Taiwan handset manufacturing supply chain. It also looks at Taiwan handset makers’ market position in the global industrial environment. This chapter stresses the threats of domestic enterprises when facing global main handset players, which makes them face more stress and problems as a result of CSR. Chapter 4: CSR challenges facing Taiwan handset ODM/OEM firms In the beginning we will look at the criticism and warning to handset global brand names from the aforementioned report of SOMO. In addition we analyze potential requests and conducts required by these global players to their ODM/OEM firms in the face of CSR. These requests and conducts can subsequently impact Taiwan mobile phone manufacturing industry. In a bid to look at the current circumstances of domestic handset makers’ CSR operation, we use ICT’s CSR questionnaire as a reference to design a simplified version, and distribute to TSE and GTSM listed handset ODM/OEM enterprises. According to the questionnaire result, we find some current drawbacks and propose solutions. Chapter 5: Suggestion and conclusion In this chapter we are looking at trends and overall CSR challenges facing domestic enterprises in Taiwan. Practical strategies and directions are proposed. In terms of promotion, implementation, and establishing CSR mechanism, this dissertation proposes that firms start from Corporate Governance to CSR, and develop in more CSR aspects based on their previous Corporate Governance experience. This article also cites TSMC as a role model for CG and CSR, hoping that firms to follow suit and for this island to create more globally renowned enterprises. Key words: Corporate Social Responsibility, Multinational Enterprise, Handset ODM/OEM, CSR Initiatives, CSR International Standard, Corporate Governance, Corporate Sustainable Development, Supply Chain, Supplier

Avec l’émergence des ONG dans nos économies globalisées, les grandes entreprises développent divers types de partenariats ONG-entreprise (POE). Les chercheurs s’interrogent sur leurs enjeux stratégiques. Dans notre thèse, nous étudions la contribution spécifique des POE à l’évolution du business model (BM) de la grande entreprise.Une étude de cas longitudinale processuelle chez Suez-Environnement met en lumière trois grands apports des POE : les POE, selon leur type, influencent la stratégie de l’entreprise par leur concours à la segmentation des activités ; ils contribuent à la conception et au déploiement des BM issus de la nouvelle segmentation ; et ils jouent un rôle moteur dans l’évolution du portefeuille de BM de l’entreprise.À partir de ces résultats, nous proposons : une conception élargie de la finalité du BM intégrant la performance sociétale ; une représentation enrichie du concept de BM, baptisée modèle RCOV-EPs, articulant quatre dimensions en interactions ; et le concept de métabusiness model que nous définissons comme : une métalogique de création de valeur socioéconomique émergeant de relations inter-BM. / With the emergence of the NGOs in our globalized economies, large companies developdiverse types of corporate-NGO partnerships (CNPs). Some researchers raised interrogations on their strategic issues. In our thesis, we study the CNPs specific contribution to the evolution of large companies’ business model (BM).Drawing on a longitudinal processual case study at Suez-Environnement, we highlight three main contributions of CNPs: first, some types of CNPs influence company’s strategy by taking part in the activities’ segmentation; second, they contribute to design and to implement the BMs resulting from the new segmentation; third, they play a driving role in the company’s BMs portfolio evolution.From these results, we suggest: an extended approach of BM’s purpose including societalperformance; an enhanced representation of the BM concept, called RCOV-PsE model,structuring four interacting components; and the meta business-model concept that we define as: a socio-economic value creation logic appearing from inter-BM relations.

Face à un environnement incertain marqué par une instabilité sans cesse croissante, les entreprises s’efforcent de rechercher la performance à la fois globale et durable considérée désormais comme un levier non seulement de pérennité, mais aussi d’avantage concurrentiel primordial (Porter et Kramer, 2006; Crane et Matten, 2004). Ainsi, la responsabilité sociétale de l’entreprise (RSE) est perçue comme un thème fédérateur en sciences de gestion et de par sa dimension sociétale dans les sciences économiques et sociales prenant tout son sens dans le management opérationnel des entreprises. Considérée comme le prolongement de la prise en compte du développement durable (rapport Brundtland 1987) dans ses implications managériales, la RSE cristallise l’attention de nombreux chercheurs depuis plusieurs décennies, notamment dans sa dimension sociale, environnementale et normative (ISO 14000) depuis une vingtaine d’année et sociétale (ISO 26000) depuis les années 2000. Si la littérature foisonnante sur le concept de RSE reste en débat, force est de constater qu’elle traite très peu des mécanismes de construction des pratiques RSE et moins encore du rôle que les stakeholders jouent dans cette construction. Dans un tel contexte, prenant appui sur la stakeholder theory (Freeman, 1984; Oliver, 1991; Clarkson, 1995; Mitchell et al., 1997; Sethi, 1995; Rowley, 1997), l’analyse des données collectées suite à une investigation de huit mois auprès de six entreprises forestières au Cameroun, révèle d’une part que le modèle de Carroll (1979, 1991) de la RSE est contingent au contexte et que le comportement stratégique orienté RSE des entreprises du secteur de l’industrie forestière au Cameroun est fortement corrélé à la nationalité de l’entreprise. D’autre part, cette étude fait état de ce que la variable « champ d’activité » a un effet non déterminé sur le comportement stratégique adopté par les entreprises de ce secteur forestier. Enfin, cette recherche révèle également que la certification forestière FSC représente le gage d’un engagement volontaire en matière de RSE des entreprises d’exploitations forestières au Cameroun. La présente recherche ouvre la voie aux travaux futurs pour internaliser les pratiques de la RSE par les parties prenantes dans le management stratégique des entreprises les plus confrontées aux défis environnementaux. / In an uncertain environment that is also marked by a growing instability, firms try to seek a global and sustainable performance which is considered as a lever not only for longevity but also for competitive advantage (Porter and Kramer, 2006; Crane and Matten, 2004). Thus, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is perceived as a unifying topic in management science and, by its societal dimension, in the economic and social sciences. Considered as an extension to the consideration of sustainable development in its managerial implications (Brundtland report, 1987), CSR has been at the attention of a large number of researchers for several decades now, in particular for twenty years in its social, environmental and normative dimension (ISO 14000) and since the 2000’s in its societal nature.While the concept of CSR is still under debate in its rather large literature, it should also be noted that this literature is usually silent on the construction mechanisms of CSR practices and even more on the role that stakeholders play in this construction.In this context, and relying on stakeholder theory (Freeman, 1984; Oliver, 1991; Clarkson, 1995; Mitchell et al., 1997; Sethi, 1995; Rowley, 1997), the present analysis of the collected data from an eight-month-long in-depth investigation of six forestry firms in Cameroun yields several findings: First, the CSR model in Carroll (1979, 1991) is contingent to the context and the strategic CSR behaviour of the different firms in the forestry industry in Cameroun is strictly correlated to the nationality of these firms. Second, this study shows that the “field of action” variable has a non-significant effect on the strategic behaviour adopted by the firms in this forestry industry. Finally, this research also reveals that the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification represents the deposit of a voluntary commitment in terms of CSR of the forestry exploitation firms in Cameroun. The present work also opens new lines for future research focussing on the internalisation of the CSR practices by the contracting parties in strategic management of the firms that are in direct confrontation to the environmental challenges.

在「全球化」的浪潮席捲之下，讓跨國企業的「企業社會責任」議題，成為當今企業管理不容忽視的焦點。 醫藥產業在全球經濟體中扮演的角色，是研發和生產創新的產品，來拯救人類的生命和促進健康。 而身為一個企業組織，也同時擔負有創造利潤的責任。 然而大眾卻經常質疑這些企業過度哄抬產品價格，並認為人人都有權利無限制的獲得醫藥資源。 醫藥企業必須面對強大的壓力以及高度複雜的利害關係人，特別是跨國公司，負擔更是沉重。 就如同其他產業一樣，「企業社會責任」的議題對醫藥企業能否具有競爭力和永續經營而言，也愈來愈重要。 近年來，許多的研究指出「企業社會責任」的策略和競爭優勢有關，而且必須整合至企業的核心事業，才能確保永續的成功。 許多跨國藥廠他們的營業績效表現亮眼，而且在台灣已經耕耘超過十年了，因此，本研究首度嚐試去檢視在台的領先跨國醫藥企業，他們的CSR動機、決策過程和CSR作為表現，以及其經理人對CSR的管理思維。 本研究的目的是希望能學習跨國領先藥廠在台灣的經驗，並鼓勵「策略型CSR」的作為以及企業與社會的「共享價值」。 我們使用「多重個案分析法」，利用問卷、次級資料的分析和深入訪談來研究十家個案公司。 所有的受訪經理人都表示他們是依據企業總部的指導綱領，而自行決定在台灣執行的CSR的活動。 研究結果發現，絕大多數的個案公司，因為在台灣只是一個業務功能的角色，資源和能力都有限，所以多關注在客戶關係的議題上，並多半執行「回應式CSR」而非「策略型CSR」。 此外，我們也發現其CSR策略和企業的屬性、社會責任觀點及領導有關。 這些經理人並承認他們沒有系統性的方法來評估CSR表現和影響。 他們主要追求的是企業的聲譽，而面對的最大挑戰是，如何透過CSR來發展企業競爭優勢。 本研究並舉出幾個成功案例，鼓勵策略型思考以及將社會觀點融入商業策略的核心架構中。 / Under the sweep of globalization, the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of multinational corporations (MNCs) has now become a focus that cannot be ignored in business management. The health care industry’s role in the global economy is to research, develop and manufacture innovative products to save people’s lives and improve health. At the same time, as corporations, they have a duty to increase profits. However, the industry is often challenged for its overcharge of the products and there should be unlimited access to medicines. The health care companies face a great pressure and a highly complex stakeholder universe especially for multinational companies. As in many industries, corporate social responsibility becomes increasingly critical to competitive success and sustainability of multinational health care companies. Recent studies point out that CSR strategies are associated with competitive advantages and should integrate CSR into the core business to lead to sustainable success. Many Multinational pharmaceutical companies are doing very good business and have been operating in Taiwan for over 10 years. Therefore, we attempt to gain a better understanding of the factors that influence the CSR involvement of MNCs’ subsidiaries and the aspects of their strategies as well as the managerial insight of the managers dealing with CSR from leading health care companies. The aim of this study is to encourage strategic CSR and shared value of business and society and to learn the experiences from multinational pharmaceutical companies in Taiwan. The analysis is based on a multiple case study that includes surveys coupled with careful review of relevant documents and web sites and in-depth interviews with managers from 10 case companies. All the managers interviewed mentioned that CSR activities are implemented at the local level within the framework of global guidance. The findings indicate that most of the subsidiaries focus on customer relations and are doing 「responsive CSR」 rather than 「strategic CSR」because of their sales-oriented function and limited resources and skills. We also found that their CSR strategies depend on the characters of the companies, CSR views and the leadership. All the managers admitted having no systematic way of measuring the outputs, tangible impacts or functionality of their CSR interventions. The key benefit they want to gain is the company reputation and the major challenge for the managers is to develop competitive advantages through CSR. Success stories are provided to encourage strategic thinking and the integration of social perspective into the core frameworks of value chain and competitive context.

Made available in DSpace on 2009-11-18T18:50:27Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 TESE MC - volume I.pdf: 909223 bytes, checksum: cc5990de43a280b0ad4d88104dd1513a (MD5) Previous issue date: 2004 / In the recent years Corporate Social Action (CSA) has become more and more relevant to corporate context. The aim is to benefit both poor communities and the donnor companies, as it meets the needs of their salient stakeholders. Nevertheless, there still exists considerable scepticism concerning CSA. In order to become a solid management practice, it is critcal to evidence the attained results. Up to now, the focus has been on process evaluation, that is, on the policies companies are adopting. Literature revision has shown a great need of studies related to results identification in this field. Therefore, using stakeholders` framework (according to Wood, 1991; Donaldson and Preston, 1995; Hopkins, 1997; Hamil, 1999), we have developped a methodology to evaluate CSA results, based on public and private effectiveness criteria. As we applied it to assess Xerox social action in Brazil we were able to identify the attainment degree of expected results related to the benefitted community (Mangueira) and also to some Xerox salient stakeholders (employees and clients). / Nos últimos anos, a ação social das empresas (ASE) vem cada vez mais ganhando relevância no contexto corporativo. A expectativa é de que essa ação possa beneficiar tanto as comunidades carentes como a própria empresa, na medida em que atenda aos interesses dos seus stakeholders relevantes. No entanto, ainda existe considerável ceticismo quanto à ASE. Para que ela se torne uma prática de gestão sólida, torna-se fundamental evidenciar os resultados alcançados. Até o momento, o foco das avaliações tem sido no processo, ou seja, nas medidas que as empresas vêm tomando. Por outro lado, a revisão da literatura apontou a grande carência de estudos no que diz respeito à identificação de resultados nessa área. Assim, utilizando o enfoque dos stakeholders (Wood, 1991; Donaldson e Preston, 1995; Hopkins, 1997; Hamil, 1999), desenvolvemos uma metodologia para avaliar os resultados da ASE com base nos critérios da eficácia pública e da eficácia privada. Quando a aplicamos para avaliar a ação social da Xerox no Brasil, pudemos identificar o grau de alcance dos resultados esperados para a comunidade atendida (Mangueira) e para alguns dos seus stakeholders relevantes (funcionários e clientes).

As stakeholders start holding companies accountable for the non-financial impacts of their operations, it is increasingly recognised that the parties to whom companies are accountable extends beyond shareholders to include other stakeholders as well. Around the world, companies are responding to stakeholder demands by voluntarily reporting on their corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance. Unscrupulous companies may however, be tempted to use green-wash to make false claims relating to their CSR performance in order to reap the associated benefits. This information risk may be ameliorated through the independent assurance of CSR disclosures, enhancing the confidence of stakeholders in its veracity. Reporting companies usually voluntarily obtain independent assurance on their CSR performance. However, in South Africa, independent CSR assurance is a regulatory requirement for all JSE-listed companies, albeit on an ‘apply or explain’ basis. This thesis, which utilises a mixed methods research approach incorporating both qualitative and quantitative components, seeks to identify and understand the characteristics of the emerging independent CSR assurance phenomenon. In this regard, the empirical component of the study was conducted in three phases: in the first phase companies’ CSR disclosures and assurance reports are examined; in the second phase survey responses from companies are reviewed; and in the third phase interviews with CSR assurors are analysed. In this thesis, the extent to which companies provide independent assurance on their CSR disclosures is established; the providers of independent CSR assurance are identified; the reasons that companies select certain CSR assurance providers are explored; the reasons that companies provide independent assurance on their CSR disclosures are determined; the CSR assurance practices of the various CSR assurors are reviewed and compared; and the primary standards and/or frameworks used in CSR assurance engagements are identified. A conclusion is reached that although independent CSR assurance is a de facto mandatory requirement for JSE-listed companies, only 26% of the companies had their CSR disclosures independently assured. Despite its de facto mandatory nature, the study found that South African CSR assurance practices remain largely unregulated, resulting in a diversity of CSR assurors; utilising various assurance approaches, standards and practices. In this thesis, it is argued that these inconsistencies undermine the purpose of CSR assurance and reduce stakeholder confidence. It is accordingly proposed that the identified deficiencies could be addressed through the regulation of CSR reporting and assurance. An oversight/regulatory body should be established to prescribe the competencies that CSR assurors should possess; to develop appropriate CSR assurance engagement standards; and to clearly articulate the scope that CSR assurance engagements should cover; with which all CSR assurors should comply. / Auditing / D. Com. (Auditing)

Cette thèse examine la responsabilité sociale des entreprises (RSE) par les entreprises de secteurs controverses. Dans le premier chapitre, on évalue les stratégies en RSE pour 565 entreprises de secteurs controverses de 1991 à 2013 en estimant la relation compensatoire entre Irresponsabilité Sociale des Entreprises (ISE) et RSE. On montre que ces entreprises tendent à compenser pour leur ISE en s'engageant dans des domaines stratégiques de RSE tels que la protection de l'environnement et le respect des communautés locales avec un manque d'engagement dans d'autres activités telles la gouvernance d'entreprise. Dans le deuxième chapitre, on examine si l'engagement RSE de 499 entreprises de secteurs controverses est susceptible de diminuer leur risque financier. Nos résultats montrent qu'un engagement RSE stratégique réduit le risque idiosyncratique et total pour certaines industries controversées et que le manque d'engagement dans les activités de gouvernance augmente leur risque. Le troisième chapitre examine la divulgation sociétale en tant que mécanisme de reddition de comptes dans le contexte d'un incident environnemental majeur. L'étude de cas des stratégies RSE utilisées par l'entreprise Canadienne En bridge, durant sa réponse a l'incident de déversement de parole en 2010 révèle que ses rapports RSE sont souvent optimistes et ne réussissent pas a décrire son incapacité à faire face aux problèmes de sécurité ayant entrainé l'incident; et ont aussi sous-estime le volume du déversement et la difficulté du nettoyage, ainsi mettant en question l'effet des activités RSE compare à l'effet de facteurs contextuels dans la protection de l'entreprise durant la crise. / This thesis is composed of three chapters that examine corporate social responsibility (CSR) within firms in controversial sectors. In the first chapter, we evaluate patterns of investment in CSR for 565 US publicly traded companies in eight controversial sectors between 1991 and 2013 by assessing the relationship between CSR and Corporate Social Irresponsibility (CSI). We show that firms in controversial sectors compensate for their CSI by engaging in strategic CSR areas such as environmental protection and community development with a lack of engagement towards other areas, such as corporate governance. In the second chapter, we determine whether engagement in specific CSR activities for 499 US companies in controversial sectors decreases their financial risk. We show that engaging in specific CSR activities considered as strategic reduces idiosyncratic and total risk for some controversial industries; and that poor engagement in corporate governance activities increases firm risk. In the third chapter, we investigate CSR reporting as an important mechanism for stakeholder accountability in the context of an environmental crisis. We perform a case study analysis of the CSR strategies used by the Canadian oil company Enbridge in its response to the July 2010 Kalamazoo spill and revealed that Enbridge's CSR reports were frequently optimistic and failed to describe the company's inability to deal with known safety problems that led to spill; and underestimated both the volume of the spill and the difficulty of the cleanup, thus making it difficult to distinguish the effects of the CSR efforts from the effects of other contextual and external factors.

Alors que nous faisons face à une crise biologique majeure, acteurs institutionnel et ONGs exhortent les entreprises à s’engager pour enrayer cette érosion écologique. L’objectif de la thèse est d’analyser, évaluer et faire évoluer la contribution potentielle des entreprises à la conservation de la biodiversité dans le cadre de leur responsabilité sociétale (RSE).Un cadre d’analyse est développé pour évaluer la prise en charge par une entreprise de ses responsabilités écologiques en termes de moyens – les initiatives RSE a priori favorables à la biodiversité mises en œuvre – et de résultats – la compatibilité des activités de l’entreprise avec la conservation de la biodiversité. Après avoir caractérisé les initiatives RSE à partir de l’étude d’engagements d’entreprises endossés comme contributions à la Stratégie nationale pour la biodiversité, une méthode est proposée pour détecter si les activités d’une entreprise sont écologiquement non-durables. Le postulat est que le respect des capacités de charge des écosystèmes est un prérequis à la conservation effective de la biodiversité. Cette méthode, adaptée de l’évaluation environnementale absolue de la durabilité, est appliquée, dans le cadre de deux projets de recherche-intervention, au portfolio alimentaire du Groupe Casino et au cycle de vie de deux installations de stockage de déchets dangereux de SARP Industries. Des orientations stratégiques visant à éviter-réduire-compenser les pressions non durables sont proposées. Soulignant l’importance de renforcer la prise en charge des pressions étendues, cette thèse ouvre plus largement des perspectives pour les secteurs d’activité et les politiques publiques. / As we are experiencing a major biological crisis, institutional actors and NGOs are calling on businesses to engage efforts aiming at halting biodiversity loss. The objective of the thesis is to analyze and evaluate the potential contribution of corporate social responsibility (CSR) to biodiversity conservation.A framework is developed to analyze to which extent a company takes in charge its ecological responsibilities. After characterizing CSR initiatives based on the case study of business commitments to contribute to the French National Biodiversity Strategy, a method is proposed to test whether business activities exert unsustainable pressures on ecosystems. It is assumed that compatibility with ecosystems’ carrying capacities is a prerequisite for effective biodiversity conservation. This method, adapted from the “absolute environmental sustainability assessment” (AESA) approach, is applied in the context of research-intervention projects to the food portfolio of the mass-market retailer Groupe Casino and to the life cycle of two facilities of SARP Industrie specialized in the disposal and storage of hazardous waste. The comparison of the company’s environmental footprints with the ecological constraints is used to draw a comprehensive strategy based on the mitigation hierarchy. As our results highlight the opportunity to strengthen the management of extended pressures through CSR, possible implications for sectors and public policies are discussed.