The purpose of this study was to investigate how Swedish retail companies work with CSR internationally.The study also sought to explore the opportunities and challenges that exist, and the stakeholders that motivate companies CSR commitment.The theoretical framework is composed of international CSR guidelines of the OECD and the UN, Carroll's CSR pyramid and three-stage model and Freeman's stakeholder theory. Furthermore a qualitative research approach was applied where four in-depth interviews were conducted with representatives from Axfood, Löfbergs Lila, Oriflame and CSR Sweden. Finally, the study demonstrated the conclusion that the companies CSR strategies are structured in a similar way regardless of the market. CSR attract and retain workers, create a good reputation for brands and results in working conditions, living standards and environmental improvements. Difficulties, however, are the complexity of being able to control each partner and manage differences in language, laws and culture between countries. Finally there are a number of stakeholders that motivate companies to work with CSR, of which shareholders are considered the most important.

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.

As corporate social responsibility (CSR) becomes increasingly important within organizations, it is imperative that professionals define their role in setting the CSR agenda. Through a descriptive survey, this study investigated National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) members' perceptions of their roles in CSR and acceptable practices for releasing data about an organization, and whether NAMA members' demographic characteristics were related to perceptions of CSR. The greatest number of respondents reported that they were between 40 and 59 years of age, 54.5 percent were female, and 69.7 percent worked for a corporation or public relations agency. Public relations serves to bring private and public entities into harmony and should assume their role in CSR. NAMA members were neutral that the agricultural communications industry has a clear code of ethics and standards of performance. NAMA members agreed that developing programs that are good for society is both good for business and good citizenship, and that public relations professionals should be deeply involved in helping management define an organization's social role. A significant difference did exist between gender and the following statements: management must act socially responsible, regardless of how those actions influence profit, and organizations must try to calculate the social impacts of major decisions before implementing policies or taking action. No significant difference was found based on whether respondents' current position involves public relations and six statements related to perceptions of CSR. A majority of respondents reported working for an organization that recruited and hired employees who had an agricultural communications major, and had worked with someone who had an agricultural communications major, but were unsure of their preparation, management skills, and strategic thinking skills. Agricultural communications programs should take this perception into account and incorporate these three issues into their curriculum. No research was found that discussed CSR and public relations in the agriculture industry. With this study, agricultural public relations practitioners might see their role in CSR and the need for a clear code of ethics to unify the industry. This study creates a foundation for additional studies of agricultural public relations professionals, delving deeper into more specific roles related to CSR.

Idag är turismen en av världens största näringar och den förväntas växa ytterligare framöver. Turismen bidrar på många sätt till den ekonomiska utvecklingen världen över men effekterna av tillväxten kan även få förödande konsekvenser för miljön. En ökad miljömedvetenhet inom turismbranschen har på senare tid resulterat i olika miljöledningssystem och miljömärkningar. En miljömärkning är Svanen som bildades som ett svar på den ökade miljömedvetenheten i samhället. År 1988 beslöt sig det Nordiska Ministerrådet att utreda möjligheterna att införa en frivillig nordisk miljömärkning. Svanens kriterier för miljömärkning av hotell blev klara år 1999 och det första Svanenmärkta hotellet öppnades i Sverige. Idag finns det över 250 Svanenmärkta hotell i Sverige. I uppsatsen undersöks huruvida en Svanenmärkning av ett hotell resulterar i positiva miljömässiga och ekonomiska effekter. Uppsatsen undersöker även varför hotellen har valt att miljömärka sig, vad de anser sig fått ut av miljömärkningen och vilka möjligheter och svårigheter miljömärkningen har bidragit med. Studien är avgränsad till Stockholmsområdet och behandlar tio hotell med Svanenmärkningen. Det finns flera anledningar varför ett hotell väljer att miljömärka sig men de flesta grundar sig i den ökande efterfrågan från samhället som avser att företag måste ta mer ansvar för miljön. Miljöarbete på ett hotell handlar ofta om att minska vatten-, energi-, och materialförbrukningen. I studien visar sig dessa vara en stor drivkraft bakom en miljömärkning då minskningen ofta leder till ekonomiska besparingar. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) är ett begrepp som fått genomslag de senaste åren och innebär att företag på en frivillig grund integrerar social och miljömässig hänsyn i sin verksamhet, utöver vad lagen kräver. I studien visar det sig att hotell som aktivt arbetar med CSR-frågor och integrerar dessa i sin verksamhet stärker relationen mellan anställda och ägare, och inte minst kunder, vilket i sin tur kan leda till en ökad lönsamhet och tillväxt.

Inledning Corporate Social Responsibility har under senare år uppmärksammats allt mer, inte minst inom energibranschen som blivit kritiserad för sin stora miljöpåverkan. Arbetssättet med CSR leder till en ökad samhällsnytta men allt fler företag väljer också att arbeta med konceptet i förhoppning om ökad lönsamhet. Genom att koppla ihop CSR med företagets övergripande strategier skapas förutsättningar för samhälls- och affärsnytta. Trots att CSR blivit ett allmänt accepterat uttryck råder dock en begreppsförvirring om vad konceptet faktiskt innefattar.  Syfte Studiens syfte är tvåfaldig; dels ämnar studien konkretisera konceptet CSR för att studera hur kommunalt ägda energibolag kan arbeta med prestationsmätning för intern styrning av CSR-åtaganden, dels ämnar studien bistå Nogap med förslag för vilka prestationsmått som skulle kunna användas i deras koncept Hållbar lönsamhet.  Metod Studien tog i ett ursprungsskede form av en litteraturstudie vilken mynnade ut i en konceptuell modell och en teoretisk referensram. Modellen låg sedan till grund för fördjupad förståelse av CSR inom tre kommunalt ägda energibolag. CSR och prestationsmätning kombinerades och analyserades sedan genom en tematisk analys.  Slutsats Inom kommunala energibolag är det fullt möjligt att kombinera prestationsmätning och CSR, men för att möjliggöra mätning krävs först att konceptet CSR bryts ned till identifierbara verksamhetsnära aktiviteter. Genom att styra CSR-aktiviteterna med prestationsmätning skapar kommunala energibolag möjlighet att samtidigt bidra till både samhälls- och affärsnytta och således mot en hållbar lönsamhet. / Introduction Corporate Social Responsibility has been a current topic over the last years. The topic has especially been debated in the energy industry due to the industry’s effect on the environment. Working with CSR leads to increased public welfare but more companies determine to work with CSR for profit ambitions. By connecting CSR with strategies there are possibilities for both increased public welfare and business advantage. Despite that CSR is recognized as a common accepted expression, there’s still a confusion of the concepts meaning.  Purpose The purpose of the study is dual; partly the study aims to concretize the concept of CSR to study how municipal energy companies may work with performance measurement for management control of CSR commitments, partly the study aims to assist Nogap with suggestions of performance metrics that would be applicable for their concept Sustainable profit.  Method In the beginning, the study was based on a literature study that resulted in a conceptual model and a theoretical framework. The model formed the basis for a more depth understanding of CSR within three municipal energy companies. CSR and performance measurement then were combined in a thematic analysis.  Conclusion Within municipal energy companies it’s possible to combine performance measurement and CSR, but to measure, the concept needs to be concretized to operational and identifiable activities. By managing CSR activities with performance measurement, municipal energy companies have opportunities to contribute to both public welfare and business advantage and thus a Sustainable profit.

The aim of the research was to understand the experiences and challenges of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Thabazimbi and the implications and consequences for communities in terms of dependency and empowerment, as seen from the perspective of the mining representatives. As corporate citizens, mining companies generate profits through the exploitation of mineral resources. There is an expectation that some of the benefits of this mining endeavours should be passed on to communities surrounding the company. This is generally considered the best sustainability practice and companies are expected to act as responsible corporate citizens. Most of the previous research on CSR has focused on the perceptions of community members. This research is unique in that it focuses on the effects of CSR on the experiences and perceptions of key personnel from the mining companies who are responsible for the designing and implementing CSR strategies. Mining company representatives did acknowledge that the past approach to CSR has created some dependency issues. However, more recently the company has moved to a strategy that focuses more on empowerment. They also acknowledge that, going forward, a new challenge emerges for mining companies, communities and local government. This challenge is to work towards ensuring sustainable development and empowerment with the focus on actual community needs. The conclusion was that for empowerment to be realised all relevant stakeholders need to play a role in the development process. / Thesis (Master of Development and Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

The aim of the research was to understand the experiences and challenges of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in Thabazimbi and the implications and consequences for communities in terms of dependency and empowerment, as seen from the perspective of the mining representatives. As corporate citizens, mining companies generate profits through the exploitation of mineral resources. There is an expectation that some of the benefits of this mining endeavours should be passed on to communities surrounding the company. This is generally considered the best sustainability practice and companies are expected to act as responsible corporate citizens. Most of the previous research on CSR has focused on the perceptions of community members. This research is unique in that it focuses on the effects of CSR on the experiences and perceptions of key personnel from the mining companies who are responsible for the designing and implementing CSR strategies. Mining company representatives did acknowledge that the past approach to CSR has created some dependency issues. However, more recently the company has moved to a strategy that focuses more on empowerment. They also acknowledge that, going forward, a new challenge emerges for mining companies, communities and local government. This challenge is to work towards ensuring sustainable development and empowerment with the focus on actual community needs. The conclusion was that for empowerment to be realised all relevant stakeholders need to play a role in the development process. / Thesis (Master of Development and Management)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2013.

Background: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a term that has become increasingly prominent in the corporate world. As the awareness of responsibly produced products is growing among both companies and consumers, it has become increasingly important for companies to get involved in sustainability issues. There may be several reasons why companies choose to integrate CSR in their business, where one reason may be related to company size. In the business category of micro, there is currently no widespread research, which makes this company size interesting to study. The choice of industry was made because coffee is one of the world's most important merchandise, and the coffee industry has come a long way with integrating CSR in comparision to many other industries. Purpose and research question: The purpose of this study is to create a deeper understanding of why coffee roasters in the business category of micro enterprises choose to incorporate CSR in their businesses. In connection with our purpose we have chosen the following research question: What are the main driving forces to why micro roasters choose to engage in CSR activities? Method: This study is based on a qualitative method with an abductive approach. We have conducted six semi-structured interviews to gather our empirical material. Conclusion: The main driving forces identified for micro roasters to engage in CSR activities include: Personal commitment, for-profit business, a meaningful work and convey messages. Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, sustainability, driving forces. / Bakgrund: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) är ett begrepp som blivit allt mer framträdande i företagsvärlden. I takt med att medvetenheten kring ansvarsfullt framtagna produkter ökar hos såväl företag som konsumenter, har det blivit allt viktigare för företag att engagera sig i hållbarhetsfrågor. Det kan finnas ett flertal förklaringar till varför företag väljer att integrera CSR i sin verksamhet, där en anledning går att relatera till företagsstorlek. Inom företagskategorin mikroföretag finns det idag inte någon utbredd forskning, vilket gör att denna företagsstorlek är av intresse att studera. Valet av bransch gjordes då kaffe är en av världens viktigaste handelsvaror och kaffebranschen har kommit längre i utvecklingen kring CSR än många andra branscher. Syfte och problemformulering: Avsikten med denna uppsats är att skapa en djupare förståelse kring varför kafferosterier i företagskategorin mikroföretag väljer att arbeta med CSR. Detta syfte uppfylls med hjälp av vår problemformulering: Vilka är de främsta drivkrafterna till att mikrorosterier väljer att engagera sig i CSR-aktiviteter? Metod: Vi har i denna studie valt att arbeta utifrån en kvalitativ metod med en abduktiv ansats. Vi har genomfört sex stycken semistrukturerade intervjuer för att samla in vårt empiriska material. Slutsats: De främsta drivkrafterna som identifierats för mikrorosterier att engagera sig i CSR-aktiviteter är: Personligt engagemang, vinstdrivande verksamhet, mening i arbetslivet och förmedla budskap. Nyckelord: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), socialt ansvarstagande, hållbarhetsarbete, drivkrafter.

This study investigates the relationship between profit-making corporations and the not-for-profit sector within Australia. The broad field of corporate social responsibility, or CSR, is discussed, narrowing to the activity of corporate philanthropy and corporate social investment. The latter is defined as being philanthropy with strategic intent, in order to build capacity within the recipient organisation which in most cases will produce beneficial outcomes for the donor as well (Tracey, 2003). The title of this study has used the term ‘philanthropic contract’ (Broadbent, 2001; Kouzmin, 2007) to describe the relationship between commercial organisations and charitable ones and the unwritten societal expectation, that the corporate sector will support the work of members of the not-for-profit sector. This study also uses the term ‘social capital’ (Putnam, 1995) to describe one of the principle areas of benefit for companies who participate.The aspect of the relationship between the two sectors that formed the focus of this study is defined as being the interaction between the two that involves financial contributions and those of goods and services as well as expertise, information and influence flowing from profit-making companies to not-for-profit organisations.The direction of the research is to advance toward an understanding of why corporations engage in this practice and toward a conclusion as to whether corporate social investing is a mutually beneficial exchange. Finally, the study highlights examples of engagement processes, and advice from those participating. The inclusion of these in the study is designed to provide valuable learning for other corporations, and not-for-profit organisations, contemplating entering into their own philanthropic partnerships.Through ten qualitative interviews this inquiry investigated the attitudes toward this relationship of various stakeholders including the management of not-for-profit organisations, representatives of relevant associations and social commentators. It became apparent that the previously well-publicised opposition to publicly listed companies supporting the not-for-profit sector, proffered by organisations such as the Australian Shareholders’ Association, had largely evaporated.Case studies involving five profit-making corporations, operating within Australia, were then undertaken and the views of their senior management sought as regards their motivations, aims, and outcomes. Overwhelmingly their experiences were positive for the corporation, the organisations they were funding, and the members of the community that the recipients were in turn supporting.Corporate benefits reported included increased ability to attract quality staff, enhanced ability to retain staff, significant development for staff that actively participated, improved corporate culture and the building of social capital leading to enhanced reputation which supported the corporations licence to operate, future objectives and long term sustainability.It is hoped that these insights along with the advice offered up by those individuals and organisations that participated in the study will benefit others and promote greater participation in corporate philanthropy and social investment within Australia. vii

This study investigates the relationship between profit-making corporations and the not-for-profit sector within Australia. The broad field of corporate social responsibility, or CSR, is discussed, narrowing to the activity of corporate philanthropy and corporate social investment. The latter is defined as being philanthropy with strategic intent, in order to build capacity within the recipient organisation which in most cases will produce beneficial outcomes for the donor as well (Tracey, 2003). The title of this study has used the term ‘philanthropic contract’ (Broadbent, 2001; Kouzmin, 2007) to describe the relationship between commercial organisations and charitable ones and the unwritten societal expectation, that the corporate sector will support the work of members of the not-for-profit sector. This study also uses the term ‘social capital’ (Putnam, 1995) to describe one of the principle areas of benefit for companies who participate.The aspect of the relationship between the two sectors that formed the focus of this study is defined as being the interaction between the two that involves financial contributions and those of goods and services as well as expertise, information and influence flowing from profit-making companies to not-for-profit organisations.The direction of the research is to advance toward an understanding of why corporations engage in this practice and toward a conclusion as to whether corporate social investing is a mutually beneficial exchange. Finally, the study highlights examples of engagement processes, and advice from those participating. The inclusion of these in the study is designed to provide valuable learning for other corporations, and not-for-profit organisations, contemplating entering into their own philanthropic partnerships.Through ten qualitative interviews this inquiry investigated the attitudes toward this relationship of various stakeholders including the management of not-for-profit organisations, representatives of relevant associations and social commentators. It became apparent that the previously well-publicised opposition to publicly listed companies supporting the not-for-profit sector, proffered by organisations such as the Australian Shareholders’ Association, had largely evaporated.Case studies involving five profit-making corporations, operating within Australia, were then undertaken and the views of their senior management sought as regards their motivations, aims, and outcomes. Overwhelmingly their experiences were positive for the corporation, the organisations they were funding, and the members of the community that the recipients were in turn supporting.Corporate benefits reported included increased ability to attract quality staff, enhanced ability to retain staff, significant development for staff that actively participated, improved corporate culture and the building of social capital leading to enhanced reputation which supported the corporations licence to operate, future objectives and long term sustainability.It is hoped that these insights along with the advice offered up by those individuals and organisations that participated in the study will benefit others and promote greater participation in corporate philanthropy and social investment within Australia. vii