This thesis provides a historical overview of the conventional business model for CSR as well as a more critical political economy perspective. It draws on critical scholars to help advance the understanding of the legitimating role that CSR plays in advancing private authority as a significant method of regulating corporations and the global political economy through flexible and nonbinding regulations as an alternative to state legislation. This thesis explores the development and implementation of Nike’s Codes of Conduct in contract apparel factories in the Maquiladoras in Mexico. Specifically, it investigates the application of Nike’s Code of Conduct to determine if the company is adhering to its own CSR policies and initiatives by focusing on Nike’s internal reports. It concludes that corporate self regulation produces limited results for alleviating poor working conditions for Nike apparel contract workers in the Maquiladoras. / Graduate

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

The purpose of this study was to explore the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) orientations of future healthcare professionals and their relative viewpoint of CSR in terms of Socioeconomic or Classical. The study also sought to determine the nature and the strength of relationships between CSR orientations and Machiavellian tendencies. To conduct the study, 162 future health care professionals enrolled in varying healthcare- related programs at an accredited university were surveyed. Findings from the study indicated a linear relationship between an individual's CSR orientation, CSR viewpoint, and innate Machiavellian levels. The higher an individual's Machiavellian score, the more likely he or she was to fall into a CSR orientation, which is economically focused as opposed to society focused. Furthermore, the study revealed that this particular group of future healthcare professionals most often fell within the Legal and Ethical CSR orientations, and most were considered to be Low Machiavellians. Although the study indicates that this specific group of individuals tends to need social norms or legal regulations to help guide them with their CSR-related decisions, they seemingly possess a high moral compass and largely consider the good of society before profit maximization. However, these characteristics should be further molded and cultivated jointly by current healthcare leaders and academicians. Curriculum modifications and employee training programs are highly recommended. Included within should be an introspective understanding of both sides of the healthcare continuum, the patient care aspects, and the financial obligations of the organization.

This study focuses on corporate social responsibility from a management perspective. The study had the following objectives - to investigate the level of adoption of CSR by companies in Botswana; to find out why companies in Botswana have embraced CSR; to investigate the views of governments, pressure groups and stakeholders on companies which have embraced CSR in their communities; and to recommend to company management and stakeholders on how best they can use CSR to their best advantage. A Positivist (quantitative) strategy was used to execute this study and data capture was done through the use of a structured questionnaire. This instrument was issued to 100 members of management from companies based near Mahalapye and Gaborone. The response rate was 88%. The key findings were that many companies have CSR policies at their workplaces but they are not yet fully functional. Many companies have also embraced CSR for political mileage reasons only and to appear to be environmentally conscious. / Thesis (MBA) North-West University, Mafikeng Campus, 2013

Corporate social responsibility has become part of the economic terminology since the seventh decade of the 20th century. From the beginning of the 21st century this context extended and multidimensional with several economic, social and legal connections. Corporate social responsibility focuses not just on the companies’ revenues, but also on the ways, companies achieve these profits. Social responsibility means satisfying stakeholders’ expectations, and the managing of economic, environmental and social aspects in relations with stakeholders in every area of influence: the workplace, market and community. The organizations should address these issues from a strategic point of view. Necessity to strengthen the quality strategy and technology is increasingly seen as a way to sustain competitive advantage of organisations and also a way to overcome disappointments with quality standards and programs in order to survive in today’s global competitive marketing. [S1]    The aim of the quality movement is to enable organizations to deliver high quality services in the shortest possible time to market, at minimum cost, and in a manner that emphasizes human dignity, work satisfaction, and mutual and long-term loyalty between the organization and its stakeholders. As such, TQM has a strong ethical dimension, advocating the importance of considering the interests of stakeholders. Quality management models and methodologies established on the extensive principles of quality are seen as a basis and catalyst for effective CSR in companies. There is not much research done on the influences and effects of TQM on CSR development[S2] . The primary aim of the research is to review corporate social responsibility within a total quality management framework.[S3]    Therefore the research question for this study has been identified as, how quality management can act as a basis and key catalyst for developing CSR in companies?[S4]    Keeping this question in mind, a quantitative content analysis through annual reports of the 28 companies was chosen and various reliable Scientifics scientifics reports were extensively reviewed and analysed. This study aims to find if there is any connection between companies' characteristics and the amount of integrated information of the TQM &andCSR appearance in their annual reports.[S5]    As a result, tThe author tries to analyse developments in corporate social responsibility (CSR) in terms of standardization. Different graphs are generated in order to demonstrate the role of TQM on CSR development. As a result, we understood that most of the companies try to be certified by different ISO standards in order to improve their business quality and better satisfy stakeholders and customers’ expectations. In such a way, theyrealized that they should pay more attention to the environment,economic and social aspect of their business performance.[S6]    Keywords   Total Quality Management, Corporate Social Responsibility, International Organization for Standardization, Stakeholder Theory  [S1]Background  [S2]Problem  [S3]Aim  [S4]Research question  [S5]Method  [S6]Result

Människan och företagens negativa påverkan på miljön har varit i fokus de senaste årtiondena. De blir mer medvetna om sin negativa miljöpåverkan. Det har resulterat i en ökad grad av hållbarhetsarbete. Enskilda individer och företag tar ett ökat ansvar för samhällets hållbara utveckling vilket på många sätt kan vara fördelaktigt.   Uppmärksamheten kring konceptet har mynnat ut i att företagsledningar, myndigheter och enskilda individer riktar sitt fokus på hållbarhetsfrågor. Detta har lagt grund för konceptet Corporate Social Responsibility – CSR – som innebär att företag frivilligt tar ansvar för samhället utöver lagens stadgar. Det finns tre huvudområden för CSR vilka är ekonomiskt, socialt och miljömässigt ansvarstagande. CSR kan dessutom delas in i strategisk och altruistisk. CSR bygger i grund och botten på att företag självmant och aktivt engagerar sig i samhällsutvecklingen.      Under uppsatsens gång kommer författarna beröra hur företag, ur en nationalekonomisk synvinkel, jobbar med CSR. Dessutom redogör författarna för vilka för- och nackdelar de tillfrågade företagen uppmärksammat med detta koncept. Syftet omfattas av de fyra frågorna; får de, kan de, bör de samt gör de. Med hjälp av dessa frågor kommer författarna försöka skapa sig en uppfattning om CSR är lönsamt eller inte.   Uppsatsen bygger på kvalitativa intervjuer där primärdata samlats in från genomförda intervjuer. Sekundärdata omfattas huvudsakligen utav tidigare forskning, vetenskapliga artiklar samt facklitteratur.   Resultatet i undersökningen visar att CSR inte kan påvisa några konkreta bevis på att det genererar lönsamhet. Författarna kommer att redogöra för de olika anledningar till varför detta resultat förefallit.    I slutsatsen skall problemformulering och syfte besvaras utifrån teori kopplat till den empiriska delen i avhandlingen. Dessutom kommer förslag till fortsatta studier redovisas.

This thesis examines the effect of a responsible investment index (FTSE4Good) on corporate social responsibility (CSR). In the first study I investigate the impact of the FTSE engagement reinforced by the threat of exclusion from the index on companies’ improvements in environmental management. The results show that FTSE involvement doubles the probability that a company will meet stricter environmental management requirements within the three-year period 2002 to 2005. Both the dialogue and the exclusion threat stimulate compliance but the dialogue appears to be more effective where the perceived threat of exclusion is higher. The engagement effect persists for at least five years and is positively related to low concentrated ownership and to domicile in a coordinated market economy. In the second study I examine FTSE4Good’s effect on the probability that a company will implement strong countering bribery practices within the two-year time period 2007 to 2009. The results demonstrate that the combined effect of engagement and exclusion threat is significant in promoting compliance and the two act independently. Stronger anti-bribery provisions are positively associated with companies based in liberal market economies, with better internal governance and higher reputational concerns related to ethical controversies. In the third study I investigate FTSE4Good’s impact on companies’ compliance with climate change criteria. The results show that the index is able to stimulate compliance and the dialogue appears to contribute more than the exclusion threat. I also find that the likelihood of the company adopting the required practices is negatively associated with concentrated ownership and with strong internal governance. Finally, the results offer some evidence that compliance is related to subsequent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. These studies contribute to the understanding as to how different CSR areas are promoted or discouraged by the managers and the owners, and how the institutional environment influences this. The results are consistent with engagement via a responsible investment index being an effective means of large-scale collective monitoring by institutional investors. The findings are also relevant for policy makers who wish to promote active ownership.

Abstract Title: The environmental responsibility of CSR in different companies Date: 2016-05-26 Level: Bachelor thesis in Business Administration, 15 ECTS Institution: School of Business, Society and Engineering, Mälardalen University Authors: Maja Lindqvist    Nathalie Johansson    Rebecka Thörnblom                 1993-03-23         1992-06-24                  1991-06-12 Examiner: Jimmy Röndell Tutor: Magnus Linderström Keywords: CSR, corporate social responsibility, sustainable development, environmental responsibility Pages: 36 Research question: How does these companies differ in their responsibility and work regarding the environmental aspect of CSR?  Purpose: The purpose with this study is to examine how the audited companies are working to maintain a sustainable environment, and what similarities and differences there are between them. Method: The study is based on a qualitative method with a deductive approach, to transparently create an ambiguous empirical basis of the respondents’ perspective. The theory is based on what is considered relevant information for this research. The study’s empirical work is based on four semi-structured interviews with a total of five respondents from three different companies, selected through a goal-oriented selection. The study achieved a reliability through the use of credible sources and databases. All parts are taken in consideration for the preparation of the analysis and the conclusion which are completing this study. Conclusion: It is possible to discern that service companies focus on reducing their environmental footprint by minimizing their business traveling, which means that they have a relatively small environmental impact. The manufacturing company is unlike the other companies in this study, because they are bound to environmental laws and have more established environmental strategies within the company because of its big environmental impact. / Sammanfattning Titel: Miljöansvaret inom CSR hos olika företag Seminariedatum: 2016-05-26 Nivå: Kandidatuppsats i företagsekonomi, 15 hp Institution: Akademin för Ekonomi, Samhälle och Teknik, EST, Mälardalens Högskola Författare: Maja Lindqvist    Nathalie Johansson    Rebecka Thörnblom                    1993-03-23          1992-06-24                 1991-06-12 Examinator: Jimmy Röndell Handledare: Magnus Linderström Nyckelord: CSR, Corporate Social Responsibility, hållbar utveckling, miljöansvar Sidantal: 36 Frågeställning: Hur skiljer sig företagens ansvarstagande och arbete kring miljöaspekten inom CSR? Syfte: Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur de granskade företagen arbetar för att upprätthålla en hållbar utveckling inom miljö, samt vilka skillnader och likheter det finns mellan dessa. Metod: Studien är uppbyggd på en kvalitativ metod med en deduktiv ansats, för att med öppenhet skapa en mångtydig empiri utifrån respondenternas perspektiv. Teorin grundas i vad som ansetts vara relevant information inom forskningsområdet. Studiens empiri är baserad på fyra semistrukturerade intervjuer med totalt fem respondenter från tre olika företag, som valts ut genom ett målstyrt urval. Studien har uppnått en tillförlitlighet genom användandet av trovärdiga källor och databaser. Samtliga delar tas i beaktning under framställandet av analys och slutsats som avslutar studien. Slutsats: Det går att urskilja att tjänsteföretagen arbetar mer med att minska sin miljöpåverkan av sina tjänsteresor vilket innebär att de har en relativt liten miljöpåverkan. Företaget som är ett tillverkningsföretag har till skillnad från de andra företagen lagförda miljödirektiv vilket etablerar tydligare och mer strukturerade strategier inom företaget på grund av dess stora miljöpåverkan.

Problemformulering och syfte: Den senaste tiden har frågan kring mjölkböndernas rådande situation fått mer uppmärksamhet. Denna uppmärksamhet har i sin tur resulterat i att olika initiativ för att stödja mjölkproducenterna har uppstått. Bland annat det initiativ som genomförs av ICA tillsammans med LRF samt ett initiativ från Axfood. Med hjälp av ett Corporate Social Responsibility-perspektiv, vill vi i denna studie beskriva organisationernas övergripande arbete och initiativet, samt se hur dessa organisationer kommunicerat sina respektive initiativ. Syftet med studien är att utifrån ett sändar- och CSR-perspektiv beskriva några utvalda organisationers initiativ för att kommunikativt stödja mjölkbönderna. Metod och material: I studien har vi använt oss av en informantintervju med en mjölkproducent och totalt tre respondentintervjuer med representanter från ICA, LRF och Axfood. Vi har även valt att göra en kvalitativ innehållsanalys av undersidor från respektive organisations hemsida. Huvudresultat: De huvudsakliga resultaten i denna studie är att begreppet Corporate Social Responsibility uppfattas olika av de organisationer som medverkat i studien. Trots att CSR-perspektivets definitioner pekar på att organisationernas arbete för samhällsfrågor kan benämnas som CSR, valde vissa organisationer att avstå från begreppet. Initiativen genomfördes och kommunicerades på skilda sätt, men med det gemensamma målet att väcka medvetenhet och uppmuntra till handling

<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>