The three studies in this dissertation explore the relationship between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Corporate Financial Performance (CFP). CSR consists of social, ethical, and environmental performance dimensions that have not traditionally appeared in mandated financial reports and largely reflect societal expectations for corporate behavior beyond legal and regulatory constraints. CSR is reflected in both corporate actions (performance outcomes) and voluntary reporting (disclosure), and the two are not necessarily equivalent due to managerial discretion in disclosure. Although the mechanisms remain unclear, the general consensus is that there is a positive relationship between CSR and CFP. In considering the drivers and goals of CSR, two themes emerge and are used to inform these papers: a stakeholder view of organizational relationships and the need to signal legitimacy in the face of changing social norms. A stakeholder view asserts that a wide range of groups across society are important to the long-term success and health of the organization. Legitimacy theory provides the explanation of why the stakeholder view is important to organizational success and can produce significant strategic advantages. The first study utilizes archival data in an exploration of how to model the relationship between Corporate Social Performance (CSP) and CFP. Using independent evaluations of organizational CSP from KLD STATS, I explore the CSP-CFP relationship at four different levels (overall CSP, component CSP, directional component CSP, and issue-based component CSP). I consider the effect of CSP on a range of outcome measures of CFP performance, at different levels of aggregated performance measures and linkage to stakeholder groups. Finally, I explore the pattern of significant CSP components on individual CFP outcome measures to iv determine if there is evidence for changing associations based on relevant stakeholder groups, in answer to concerns raised by prior research (Wood and Jones 1995; Orlitzky, Schmidt, and Rynes 2003). I find that (a) stock market measures are extremely insensitive to CSP; (b) the appropriate measurement level of CSP varies with the degree to which the CFP measure is aggregated and attributable to a more focused group of stakeholders; and (c) significant CSP aspects and associated CFP outcomes do vary in patterns and sensitivity. The second study examines the role voluntary social disclosure plays in economic performance through an attribute I term resilience. Resilience influences stakeholder resource allocation decisions in the face of unexpected poor performance attributable to an exogenous shock and is associated with perceived organizational legitimacy. To test this model, an experiment is conducted in which participants are asked to assess the perceived legitimacy of an organization based on information characteristics of voluntary CSR disclosure and then to make reallocation decisions in the face of poor performance caused by an industry crisis not involving the underlying organization. I find that high quality disclosure (driven by reporting accuracy) is significantly associated with greater perceived legitimacy. In turn, the legitimacy construct is significantly associated with resilience following an exogenous shock. The final study considers organizational choices in CSR disclosure to preserve credibility in the face of a crisis threatening the legitimacy of the institutional framework. Using qualitative data surrounding the turbulent 2001 – 2002 period encompassing the Enron and WorldCom scandals and the fall of Andersen, I examine organizational voluntary disclosure decisions to ascertain how they sought to preserve their own informational credibility and legitimacy in the face of a threat that did not directly involve their actions. I find that organizations responded v throughout this period by increasing signals of both transparency (greater CSR disclosure) and credibility (greater use of external sources of assurance of that disclosure). I also find that thirdparty assurance was not widely used, and remained at a steady, minimal percentage over time. Overwhelmingly, organizations turned to the implementation of an independent, external reporting framework (e.g., the Global Reporting Initiative’s widespread guidelines) that provided consistency and comparability in their reporting, made use of standardized measurements and definitions, and required specific items and measures.

A conservation planning protocol based on components from successful conservation projects in Mexico and other countries was developed to evaluate conservation planning practices and to serve as a template to guide future conservation planning efforts in Mexico. My research specifically explored stakeholder analysis and performance measurement as currently applied to conservation planning. Twenty-seven natural protected area (NPA) management plans and 6 plans from modified rural landscape projects (MDRL), all within Mexico, were evaluated. Additionally, 38 planning team members from 8 selected case studies were interviewed. I used the Laguna de Babicora Watershed planning process and management plan as the focus of my examination of stakeholder analysis. Seventy-four individuals who represented 5 major stakeholder categories were identified and interviewed. Examples of process-, outcome-, output-, and input-related performance measures (PMs) were developed for the Babicora project using information collected from my interviews, the existing management plan, and my conservation planning protocol. The approaches used and products generated from NPA and MDRL plans differed substantially. NPA plans often used pre-established planning guidelines dictated by the overseeing or authorizing agency. Institutional rigidity was a limiting factor to development of NPA management plans. NPA plan content suggested that planners focused more attention on inventory and strategic planning than on other planning components, yet recommended operational strategies in NPA management plans still were comprehensive. MDRL planning processes were more sensitive to local conditions, but less comprehensive than NPA plans. With MDRL plans, on-the-ground pilot projects often were initiated concurrent with inventory and strategic planning efforts. As a result, MDRL planning teams often did not complete management plans due to demands imposed by these concurrent projects. Performance measurement systems for both plan implementation and monitoring of planning processes largely were absent in all NPA and most MDRL projects. Only one MDRL case study addressed process-related performance measures. NPA and MDRL plans both suffered from poor issue identification and problem definition, offering only generic strategic statements that lacked indicators of spatial scale, geographic location, and causative agents. Management plans overall, but NPA in particular, also lacked clear links among identified problems, other key stages of the planning process, and desired or stated outcomes. Unfamiliarity with or failure to use effective diagnostic tools, coupled with a need to comply with existing planning protocols, produced management recommendations that frequently were not justified or related to identified management problems, particularly among NPA plans. MDRL case studies, which typically targeted smaller geographic areas, were not as comprehensive as NPA plans. However, MDRL case studies more often incorporated stronger participatory components. Demands from participatory processes often delayed final development of MDRL management plans. Although NPAs and MDRLs currently follow different planning processes, ultimate success in conservation management may best be served by blending complementary components from each approach. Stakeholders who participate in conservation planning fundamentally are issue specific. Current environmental literature on stakeholder methodologies endorses use of general categories. Although cross-category stakeholder analysis is useful during inventory and strategic planning, within-stakeholder analysis is necessary for successful plan implementation. My findings suggest that within-stakeholder analysis helps (1) identify problems or needs important to particular stakeholders, (2) identify stakeholders with contrasting behavior within categories, and (3) establish areas for potential collaboration. Stakeholder involvement, tailored to local conditions, should occur in all planning stages. Successful conservation planning in Mexico currently should be addressed more as a question of human organization. Suggested performance measures to help monitor and evaluate both the planning process and plan implementation were developed. Process-related PMs focused on the 4 major planning stages. Process-related PMs allow planners to analyze and reassess the direction of the planning process; they are not prescriptive, rather statements that recognize planning as a social exercise likely to face areas where trade-offs are likely to occur (e.g., problem identification, sharing decision-making, public involvement). Performance measures for plan implementation should be hierarchical, nested, and include input-, output-, and outcome-related assessment attributes. / Ph. D.

This thesis is concerned with presenting analyses regarding key ethical issues regarding and arising from the development and potential use of gene drive modified mosquitoes for the purpose of malaria elimination. Each of the chapters constituting this thesis offers a rigorously researched analysis which attempts to answer questions thus far unanswered in the academic literature. Chapter one explores whether the development and use of this technology can be fairly considered unethical in principle; concluding it cannot be. Chapter two explores the appropriate relationship between this technology and the precautionary principle, a prominent regulatory and governance principle which has been invoked as ostensible support for an indefinite global moratorium on all gene drive technology. The chapter concludes that the precautionary principle, at least as articulated by UNESCO, does not provide justification for a global moratorium on gene drive technology. In fact, the precautionary principle is likely unfit as a regulatory norm for some kinds of gene drive products and purposes. Chapter three was co-authored with Delphine Thizy, Global Stakeholder Engagement Manager for Target Malaria, one of the leading consortiums working on research and development of gene drive biotechnology for malaria control. Together we articulate the ethical principles selected to guide Target Malaria’s stakeholder engagement, as well as provide the rationale for their selection and expound upon some early lessons from their implementation. Chapter four offers an analysis with the goal of locating the ethically appropriate locus of political organization from which to seek permission for a gene drive modified organism release into the shared environment. The chapter considers the appropriateness of each of the following levels of political organization: consent of individuals, local communities, nation states, and international governance institutions. The conclusion arrived at, with some caveats, is that such a decision is most appropriately issued by a nation state. / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / This thesis is concerned with presenting analyses regarding key ethical issues regarding and arising from the development and potential use of gene drive modified mosquitoes for the purpose of malaria elimination. Chapter one explores whether the development and use of this technology can be fairly considered unethical in principle; concluding it cannot be. Chapter two explores the appropriate relationship between this technology and the precautionary principle, a prominent regulatory and governance principle which has been invoked as ostensible support for an indefinite global moratorium on all gene drive technology. Chapter three articulates, expounds, and provides rationale for the ethical principles selected to guide stakeholder engagement by Target Malaria, one of the leading consortiums working on research and development of gene drive biotechnology for malaria control. Chapter four attempts to locate the ethically appropriate locus of political organization from which to seek permission for a gene drive modified organism release.

This thesis addresses corporate approaches to CSR stakeholder engagement in the pharmaceutical industry in the UK and Germany. Its objective is to undertake mainly exploratory qualitative research to investigate how the selected sample manages CSR. The data was primarily accessed and collected from senior executives within major pharmaceutical companies. Multiple research methods were employed to gather rich new empirical evidence which focuses on the CSR practices and perceptions of CSR managers in both countries. To examine how this ¿sensitive¿ sector responds to what could be termed the ¿CSR Challenge¿, a critical realist perspective and six codes were chosen to map the practices and to compare similarities and differences between the two countries. This research contributes to the academic literature in this field by filling significant gaps in an area which was previously under-investigated. Ultimately, the findings are employed to examine a prespecified framework which was originally developed by the author based on secondary data in separate research. Overall, the results inform, re-examine, and improve this recently published framework. The updated explanatory framework which results from the research is the main conceptual contribution of the thesis. It serves as a management tool which includes the contextual factors which influence decision-makers¿ practices and perceptions portrayed as a set of inter-related management steps. This new conceptualisation is designed to be of practical use for decision-makers when managing their stakeholder engagement activities. As a result, this research is essentially applied and normative in nature. In addition, this work presents an original contribution to the literature in its field which should be of interest to academics.

As a result of globalization, the concept of Corporate Social responsibility (CSR) has become on the agendas of organizations over the past decade. The organizations in Kuwait are no exception; they have been striving to address and execute the best practices of CSR. The banking sector in Kuwait, which plays a pivotal role in the economy, represents an area of strong interest for anyone wanting to research the depiction of CSR in Kuwait since it was the first sector that introduced corporate social responsibility and is considered a pioneer in that field. However, no studies were found that have examined CSR policies in practice in Kuwait or in the banking sector in particular. This thesis therefore focuses on obtaining a better understanding of how corporate social responsibility works in practice in the Kuwaiti banks from the perspective of three groups: the decision makers of CSR in the Kuwaiti banks, the employees of the banks, and the banks’ customers. The researcher used a qualitative approach in which data were collected using interviews and document analysis. The collected data were interpreted and analysed and thereafter drawn the conclusion that banks are very clear in defining their CSR objectives which are aligned with their overall corporate strategy. However, there were commonalities and differences in how stakeholders understand and perceive CSR. The study also revealed that both the 2008 financial crisis and Islam influenced the way CSR is exercised in the banks, and moderately, influenced the employees and customers. / Burgan Bank

Introduction: Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, is seen as an important part of an organization, where communication functions as creating relationships between the organization and social actors. CSR is about the company's social responsibility for how they affect society from an economic, environmental, and social perspective. Purpose: The purpose of the study is to account for communicators' views on CSR communication and how they deal with the possible opportunities, challenges and risks they experience in communicating CSR. The purpose is also to discern the similarities and differences that the communicators have regarding the view of CSR communication, in order to gain a greater understanding of the prerequisites of CSR communication. Method/material: The data for our study have been collected by semi-structured interviews with four communicators with knowledge in CSR communication. These have then been analyzed through a thematic analysis. Theory: The study contains theories related to the subject, such as theoretical concepts about CSR and CSR communication, the stakeholder theory and greenwashing. These have set the knowledge and structure of the interviews and helped us understand the results. Result: The results of the study show us that communicators have different prerequisites for communicating CSR. Based on, for example, industry standards and different stakeholders which therefore have different expectations. Common to them are demands for transparency and authenticity in the communicators' work. This is supposed to reduce the risk of being met with suspicion and skepticism. Possibilities such as appearing as legitimate and credible as a company can be discerned.

Rising childhood obesity with its detrimental health consequences poses a challenge to the health care system. Community-based, multi-setting interventions with the participatory involvement of relevant stakeholders are emerging as promising. To gain insights into the structural and processual characteristics of stakeholder networks, conducting a network analysis (NA) is advisable. Within the program “Family+—Healthy Living Together in Families and Schools”, a network analysis was conducted in two rural model regions and one urban model region. Relevant stakeholders were identified in 2020–2021 through expert interviews and interviewed by telephone to elicit key variables such as frequency of contact and intensity of collaboration. Throughout the NA, characteristics such as density, centrality, and connectedness were analyzed and are presented graphically. Due to the differences in the number of inhabitants and the rural or urban structure of the model regions, the three networks (network#1, network#2, and network#3) included 20, 14, and 12 stakeholders, respectively. All networks had similar densities (network#1, 48%; network#2, 52%; network#3, 42%), whereas the degree centrality of network#1 (0.57) and network#3 (0.58) was one-third higher compared with network#2 (0.39). All three networks differed in the distribution of stakeholders in terms of field of expertise and structural orientation. On average, stakeholders exchanged information quarterly and were connected on an informal level. Based on the results of the NA, it appears to be useful to initialize a community health facilitator to involve relevant stakeholders from the education, sports, and health systems in projects and to strive for the goal of sustainable health promotion, regardless of the rural or urban structure of the region. Participatory involvement of relevant stakeholders can have a positive influence on the effective dissemination of information and networking with other stakeholders.

Hydropower generates renewable energy, but also local environmental damage. In Sweden, hydropower facilities are undergoing a process of environmental adaptation which aims at protecting water environments while also ensuring electricity production. Regional stakeholder collaboration has been introduced as part of the decision-making process. To explore opportunities and challenges with this governance strategy, this study analyses hydropower collaborations using the Integrative Framework for Collaborative Governance (Emerson & Nabatchi, 2015). Several types of documentation from all 27 finished collaborations have been collected and subjected to a qualitative thematic analysis. The results show that the main challenges are related to organising collaboration, balancing interests and managing needs for knowledge. While these appear closely interrelated, knowledge emerged as especially important. Knowledge contestation was a major driver for disagreements over interest balance, and accepted knowledge can overall be seen as a crucial capacity for joint action. The analysis also identified a discrepancy between stakeholders’ expectations for interest negotiation and reality. More research is however required to establish the connection between collaborative procedural arrangements and agreement among stakeholders.

Bakgrund & Problem: Företag idag ställs inför nya krav om socialt- och miljömässigt ansvar och bedöms utefter deras förmåga att uppfylla dessa. Därmed har kommunikation och redovisning genom hållbarhetsrapporten blivit viktig. Om företagets CSR arbete och sociala ansvar överensstämmer med samhällets förväntningar kan företaget ses som legitim, men om dessa förväntningar inte efterlevs kan legitimiteten istället påverkas negativt. Företag använder sig utav kommunikationsstrategier för att legitimera sitt agerande och därmed är hållbarhetsredovisningen problematisk då den inte kan anses vara ett svar på att företaget uppfyller sin ansvarsskyldighet. Ytterligare problem med hållbarhetsredovisningen är att den utelämnar information som är betydelsefull för intressenterna. Syfte: Studiens syfte är att öka kunskapen för mottagare av företagens hållbarhetsrapporter så de kan fatta beslut om företaget på ett mer kritiskt sätt. Metod: I denna studie används en kvalitativ metod genom att en innehållsanalys genomförs av fem företags hållbarhetsrapporter. Vidare används en kvantitativ metod för att genomföra frekvensanalys av företagets intressenter. Resultat: Resultatet visar att strategier för att behålla legitimitet används både innan och efterskandal, medan strategier för att reparera legitimiteten används efter skandal. Mer exakt är det behålla legitimitet på ett pragmatiskt sätt och reparera legitimitet på ett moraliskt sätt som är de mest använda strategierna i hållbarhetsredovisningarna. Därutöver visas även en koppling mellan pragmatisk legitimitet och de interna intressenterna. / Background and problem: Nowadays companies need to face the new requirement of social- and environmental responsibility and are assessed by how they fulfill these demands. Because of this communication and accounting through sustainability reports have been important. If the company's CSR work and social responsibility are in line with society's expectations it can be considered legitim, if the expectations do not comply the legitimacy of the company will drop. Consequently, companies use communication strategies to legitimize their actions, and because of this sustainability reporting can’t be seen as a way of transparency. Furthermore, sustainability reporting does omit information that is significant to its stakeholders.  Aim: The study aims to increase the knowledge of sustainability reports for receivers of the report to make better and more critical decisions.  Method: This study was conducted in a qualitative method, a content analysis was performed on five companies' sustainability reports. Moreover, a quantitative method was used for the frequency analysis of the company's stakeholders.  Conclusion: The result shows that strategies to maintain legitimacy are used both before and after the scandal, while strategies to repair legitimacy are used after the scandal. More precisely, maintaining legitimacy pragmatically and repairing legitimacy morally are the most used strategies in sustainability reporting. In addition, a connection between pragmatic legitimacy and the internal stakeholders is also shown.

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