Thesis (MA)--Stellenbosch University, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis analyses corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Belgium in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century by making use of a case study on the history of the biscuit company De Beukelaer’s Fabrieken between 1885 and 1929. During this period De Beukelaer’s Fabrieken managed to establish itself and its brand firmly in the international food industry and, besides its reputation for its products, also became known for its extensive CSR policy. The thesis analyses and determines the character of the CSR policy implemented at De Beukelaer’s Fabrieken by examining the various forms of CSR the company practiced during this period, and which rested on three distinct pillars, namely welfare services, leisure, and educational initiatives. Both in terms of implementation and characteristics the company’s policy was certainly not unique. In addition, the thesis also establishes some of the motives for the implementation of the De Beukelaer’s Fabrieken’s CSR policy by its owners and management. It is difficult to determine, however, what the exact reasons were for the implementation and development of De Beukelaer’s Fabrieken’s CSR. The company’s policy was influenced by both the changes and developments that were occurring in its wider environment as well as the changes and developments that occurred within the company, its owners and its management; the company’s CSR policy was thus a product of action and reaction, driven by both conscious as well as subconscious motivations that were influenced by various causes, both internal as well as external. By determining the character, nature and influence of the company’s CSR policy, as well as the motivation behind it, the thesis attempts to gain a better understanding of this particular aspect of the company’s history, an aspect that formed a significantly defining feature of De Beukelaer’s Fabrieken between 1885 and 1929. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die tesis fokus op korporatiewe sosiale verantwoordelikheid (KSV) in België in die laat 19de en vroeg 20ste eeu deur `n gevalle studie van die geskiedenis van die Belgiese beskuitjie maatskappy De Beukelaer’s Fabrieken 1885-1929. Die maatskappy het in die betrokke periode daaringeslaag om homself en sy handelsmerk in die internasionale voedsel industrie te vestig en afgesien van sy reputasie vir sy produkte ook vir sy uitgebreide inisiatiewe ten opsigte van KSV bekend geword. Die tesis is ‘n studie van die aard, karakter en eienskappe van De Beukelaar’s Fabrieken se KSV deur ‘n analise van die verskeie vorms waarin dit neerslag gevind het. Die maatskappy se KSV-beleid het op drie elemente, naamlik welsyns dienste, vryetydsbesteding/ontspanning en opvoedkundige inisiatiewe berus. Dit is `n bevinding van die studie dat ten opsigte van bo genoemde aspekte die maatskappy se beleid nie uniek vir die periode was nie. Die tesis poog ook om die motivering of motiewe van die maatskappy se eienaars en bestuur vir die implementering van hul KSV vas te stel. Dit is egter moeilik om te bepaal aangesien die maatskappy se KSV-beleid beinvloed is deur beide die veranderinge en ontwikkelinge in die breȅr gemeenskap sowel as die in die maatskappy self, sy eienaars en bestuur. Die maatskappy se beleid was dus die produk van aksie en reaksie wat gedryf is deur beide bewustelike as onbewustelike motiverings wat deur `n verskeidenheid intern en ekstern faktore teweeggebring is. Die fokus op die motivering vir sowel as aard, karakter en invloed van die maatskappy se KSV is `n poging om tot groter begrip van diè bepalende aspek van die maatskappy se geskiedenis in die periode tekom.