This study explores how service firms incorporate CSR activities within the internal brand building process. It was found that CSR does influence and is implemented in every stage of our theoretical framework of the internal brand building process. The study was based on interviews conducted on managers and employees of service firms in the Netherlands and in Sweden.  CSR is an evolving concept, increasingly becoming important in affecting the consumption decisions of service firm’s customers. Service firms are now resorting to incorporating CSR in their internal brand building to appeal to consumers. Consumers who are trying to minimize the inherent risk in buying an intangible product typical of a service product are now shifting their focus from the firm’s product to the firm itself.  The purpose of this study was to explore if and how CSR influences the internal brand building processes of service firms. We did not seek to generalize the findings. We carried out eight interviews where the respondents were able to broadly shared their thoughts and opinions. The research questions we sought to answer were: In what way does CSR influence the internal brand building process in service firms? And, how do service firms implement CSR in their internal brand building process?  It was found that the service firms do define CSR as a responsibility for their Employees, Community, Environment, Clients/Customers as well as Ethical Responsibility. We also found out that CSR influences the internal brand building in service firms through their employees, brand audit, brand identity, brand positioning and brand communication, which we then included in our empirical developed model of the internal brand building processes in service firms. CSR is implemented in service firm’s employees’ management through employee education, training, recruitment and motivation. CSR is implemented in a service firm’s brand audit through a flat/hierarchical organizational structure, multicultural organization, ethics, sustainability, transparency and honesty. CSR is implemented in a service firm’s brand identity through quality assurance, creativity/innovation and compliance. CSR is implemented in a service firm’s brand positioning through partnership, accessibility, quality, trust. CSR is implemented in a service firm's brand communication through intranet, meetings, publications and teams.  Future researchers are recommended to study service firms that are equally divided based on their size, age and wealth to get a deeper understanding. More employees could also be studied since employees might have different viewpoints and since it is found that employees are the most important asset for service firms.

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Cross-sector social partnerships have become a widely used instrument to work towards sustainable development and especially to deal with social issues. However, research on this phenomenon commonly addresses possible solutions directly, without a deeper analysis of the underlying obstacles and possibilities. The purpose of this study is to fill this gap by exploring the obstacles and possibilities for cross-sector social partnerships in achieving sustainable development. To do so, an empirical case study of a multinational mining corporation and its partners is conducted. Data is gathered from seven semi-structured interviews. The study shows that cross-sector social partnerships (CSSPs) are used by the interviewees to address social issues. Interviews are conducted with actors in different sectors who have relationships with the multinational corporations, this allows a diverse data collection. The study provides analytical results by identifying the obstacles and possibilities that are significant to the collaborations among partners, that is to say the CSSPs. Thus, three main obstacles are found: ​power imbalance, diverging focus and lack of trust among partners​. Whereas, three main possibilities are identified: ​optimism towards future development, broader involvement and more frequent & constructive dialogue​. The study also provides insights on partners at different influential levels and thereby makes a contribution to existing literature. From a practical perspective, understanding the underlying obstacles and possibilities could help to make the partnerships more effective.

In political philosophy, power and responsibility are known to be two sides of the same coin. Yet surprisingly, corporate political power has not been strongly featured in the long-standing debate surrounding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), despite the parallel debate on the influence of business in policy-making. The political dimension of CSR and its intrinsic relationship with Corporate Political Power (CPP) has been under-researched. This thesis adds to the CSR debate by investigating the processes and mechanisms by which CSR activities contribute to the power of the firm in the political arena, in the context of the British construction industry. Drawing on the literature on power, political activity and extended corporate citizenship, a conceptual model of the relationship between CSR and CPP was developed. The model was underpinned by insights from the Institutional Theory, the Resource Dependence Theory, and the Resource-Based View of the firm. Using a hybrid constructivist-realism epistemology and a processbased analysis, three exploratory case studies were carried out in construction companies operating in the UK. Data were collected through archival research and semi-structured interviews, and analysed by means of within and cross-case analyses. The results revealed that the political environment of the firm was analogous to a marketplace where companies traded political goods with policy-makers. CSR activities produced four political goods, namely public image, technical expertise, social capital and indebtedness, which were identified as the mechanisms by which CSR contributed to CPP. The impacts of CSR activities on CPP were three-fold: CSR strengthened the privileged structural position of companies; helped them gain easier access to policy-makers; and this privileged access gave companies more opportunities to influence regulatory outcomes. The key theoretical contribution of the thesis is a processual model that illustrates how CSR contributes to CPP. There are also implications for practice. CSR activities are velvet curtains that hide the operationalisation of political power. The social and political implications call for the attention of government officials who favour a neoliberal doctrine for the promotion of CSR to business.

La littérature a porté une attention croissante à la Responsabilité Sociale des Entreprises (RSE) et à la gestion de la chaîne logistique (GCL). Cependant, peu de recherches ont été menées de la perspective de la PME. Ainsi, l’objectif de cette recherche est de mieux comprendre l’engagement de la PME dans des pratiques de responsabilité sociale au sein de sa chaîne logistique. Cette thèse, à travers trois articles, examine la question suivante : Comment la PME adopte-t-elle des pratiques RSE sous la pression des clients et des fournisseurs, et étend-t-elle ses pratiques RSE dans sa chaîne logistique ? Dans le premier chapitre, nous montrons en utilisant une approche de modélisation par équation structurelle et des données recueillies auprès de 273 PME, que les pressions institutionnelles exercées par les partenaires de la chaîne logistique influencent différemment le niveau de pratiques de RSE dans les PME. L’étude démontre notamment que les pressions coercitives n’ont pas d’influence significative sur les pratiques RSE, alors que les pressions mimétiques et normatives influencent de manière positive et significative le niveau des pratiques RSE. Par ailleurs, l’influence positive des pressions normatives sur les pratiques RSE est plus forte pour les PME situées en aval de leur chaîne logistique tandis que les PME situées en amont sont sensibles aux pressions mimétiques sur leurs pratiques environnementales, de ressources humaines et commerciales. Dans le deuxième chapitre, notre étude révèle à travers des études de cas de six triades de PME, que les PME utilisent des capacités de « co-évolution » ou de «contrôle réflexif» pour étendre la RSE au fournisseur de premier rang, tandis qu’elles utilisent la «délégation active», les capacités de «re-conceptualisation de la chaîne logistique» ou l'approche «don’t bother» pour étendre la RSE au fournisseur de second-rang. Enfin, le troisième chapitre indique à travers une revue systématique de la littérature que les PME peuvent jouer quatre rôles dans la mise en place de pratiques RSE dans la chaîne logistique : adoptant, bloqueur, générateur ou transmetteur. Nous avons également identifié les caractéristiques des PME et les facteurs de contingence liés aux différents rôles des PME. Par cette thèse, nous enrichissons la littérature en montrant la diversité des pressions auxquelles sont soumises les PME dans leur chaîne logistique, les mécanismes qu’elles utilisent pour étendre leurs pratiques RSE au-delà du fournisseur de premier-rang, et le rôle crucial qu’elles jouent dans la mise en place d’une chaîne logistique durable. / Recent years have seen a considerable increase in the literature concerning the separate areas of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Supply Chain Management (SCM). However, little scholarly attention has been paid on the link between the two from a small and-medium sized enterprise (SME) perspective Therefore, this research aims to provide a better understanding of the engagement of SMEs in CSR practices in their supply chains. This thesis, through three articles, investigates the following research question : How does the SME adopt CSR practices through suppliers and customers pressures and extend its practices in the supply chain ?In the first chapter, using a structural equation modeling approach and data collected from 273 SMEs, our findings indicate that institutional pressures exerted by supply chain partners influence differently the level of CSR practices in SMEs. Notably, the study demonstrates that coercive pressures have no significant influence on CSR practices, whereas mimetic and normative pressures influence positively and significantly the level of CSR practices. Furthermore, the positive influence of normative pressures on CSR practices is stronger for SMEs situated downstream in their supply chain, whereas SMEs in further upstream positions are those which are sensitive to mimetic pressures for their environmental, human resources and marketplace practices.In the second chapter, based on a multiple-case study examining six triadic relationships, our study reveals that SMEs use “co-evolving” or “reflexive control” capabilities to extend CSR to the SME first-tier supplier. The findings reveal that, in contrast, SMEs use “active delegation”, “supply chain re-conceptualization” capabilities or a “don’t bother” approach to extend CSR to the SME second-tier supplier.Finally, the third chapter indicates using a systematic literature review that SMEs can undertake four roles in implementing CSR in the supply chain. We also identify the SMEs characteristics and the contingency factors that are related to the different roles of SMEs.This thesis contributes to fill the gap in literature by demonstrating the variety of pressures SMEs face in their supply chain, the mechanisms they use to extend CSR beyond the first-tier supplier, and the crucial role they play in the development of a sustainable supply chain.

La Responsabilité Sociétale de l’Entreprise (RSE) est mobilisée comme la traduction managériale du concept plus global de développement durable et l’étude de la RSE est au cœur de nombreuses recherches depuis plus de quatre décennies. En France, les organisations sportives s’engagent progressivement dans des démarches de développement durable et multiplient les initiatives en faveur d’une plus grande responsabilité sociétale des activités sportives.Ce projet de recherche est né de la volonté de comprendre comment le développement durable est concrètement mis en œuvre au sein des organisations sportives en étudiant et en analysant les stratégies de RSE développées. Parmi les champs d’étude des relations entre sport et RSE, nous avons opté pour l’événementiel sportif. Au niveau théorique, nous avons choisi de compléter le cadre d’analyse de la RSE (Johnson, 1971 ; Ackerman & Bauer, 1976 ; Carroll, 1979 ; Jones, 1980 ; Wood, 1991) par les apports fournis par la théorie des parties prenantes (Freeman, 1984 ; Hills & Jones, 1992 ; Clarkson, 1995 ; Donaldson & Preston, 1995 ; Mitchell, Agle & Wood, 1997) afin d’opérationnaliser efficacement le concept de RSE (Mullenbach-Servayre, 2007).L’objectif de la thèse est d’ouvrir de nouvelles voies de recherche à partir de l’observation des données de terrain tout en testant des hypothèses issues de l’exploration. Dès lors, nous avons opté pour une approche qualitative inductive-déductive. L’investigation empirique se décompose en une étude exploratoire et cinq études de cas (Eisenhardt, 1989) : Marathon de Sénart, Playa Tour, Roland Garros, Merrel Oxygen Challenge, Tour de France à la Voile. Les données rassemblées sont issues d’une analyse documentaire (près de 200 documents analysés), d’entretiens semi-directifs (39 au total) et d’observations directes. La démarche de recherche mise en œuvre nous conduit à analyser les formes prises par la Responsabilité Sociétale des Organisateurs d’Evénements Sportifs dans les cas étudiés et le type de relations entretenues avec les parties prenantes. Enfin, sur la base de la revue de la littérature effectuée et des recherches empiriques menées, nous proposons une typologie des comportements stratégique et opérationnel des organisateurs d’événements sportifs en matière de RSE. / In management terms, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) translates the broader notion of sustainability and the concept of CSR has played a central role in many studies over the past forty years. In France, the principle of sustainability has progressively become a key notion and major concern for sport organizations who are now promoting a more socially responsible practice of sports.This research project aims at understanding how sustainability is put into concrete practice within sport organizations by looking at and analyzing their CSR strategies. In the fields of CSR-sport relation studies, we have decided to focus on sport events. On the theoretical level, we have attempted to combine the analytical frame of the CSR (Johnson, 1971 ; Ackerman & Bauer, 1976 ; Carroll, 1979 ; Jones, 1980 ; Wood, 1991) with the concepts of the stakeholder theory (Freeman, 1984 ; Hills & Jones, 1992 ; Clarkson, 1995 ; Donaldson & Preston, 1995 ; Mitchell, Agle & Wood, 1997) so as to efficiently operationalize the concept of CSR (Mullenbach-Servayre, 2007).The goal of this thesis is to break new research ground based on the observation of data as well as on the testing of exploration-related hypotheses. We have therefore chosen a qualitative inductive-deductive approach. Our empirical investigation consists in an exploratory study and five case studies (Eisenhardt, 1989): Marathon de Sénart, Playa Tour, Roland Garros, Merrel Oxygen Challenge, Tour de France à la Voile. The data presented in our thesis come out of documentary analyses (200 documents analyzed), as well as of semi-structured interviews (39) and direct observation cases. Our research method led us to analyze the different versions of Corporate Social Responsibility depending on the Organizers of Sport Events in all cases and on the type of relations with stakeholders. Lastly, after reviewing the literature available on the field and the empirical research conducted, we have suggested a CSR-based typology of strategic and operational behaviors of sport event organizers.

Aim: The concept of CSR is getting more attention among various fields but there has been a lack of research in enhancing the awareness of CSR within the field of retailing. In order to fill this gap, the aim of this study is to investigate the significance of CSR and green marketing (ecological labels) in the business of retailing while evaluating the affect of it on consumer behavior.   Method: Case study research method is opted for this study to answer “why” and “how” questions. Furthermore, quantitative data has been collected through in store and online customer interview. The research data is analysed by using Microsoft Office Excel.   Result & Conclusions: The result shows that CSR is well incorporated and practiced by ICA Kvantum, AB. Their business philosophy is focused on customer, product, environment, diversity and community. They provide environmental and organic products by abiding the rules and law of goods production that also protects the environment. Moreover, the quantitative study reveals that Swedish female consumer between the ages of 26-35 are more responsible towards environment. It also shows that most of the consumers are still buying conventional (non-ecological) products and majority of them don’t check eco-labels before purchasing but they are willing to pay more for ecological and organic foods. Thus, CSR and green marketing affects consumer buying behavior through different ways.   Suggestions for future research: The similar research can be performed by adopting qualitative data from company’s experts to record their perspective about CSR and green marketing. Moreover, it would be interesting to investigate multiple retail companies operating in different cities. Furthermore, it could give innovative results, if the study investigates the link of trust and loyalty on consumer behavior, as they are the key components in consumer purchase decision.   Contribution of the study: This study identifies and explains the concept of CSR and the important elements of CSR in grocery retailing. The novel concept of green marketing and ecological products has been studied in relation to consumer behavior. The investigation of CSR and green marketing on consumer behavior is a unique combination which has not investigated extensively within the field of grocery retailing.

Background: Major attention within the field of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has been devoted to developed countries in the Western world and only few studies have been researching CSR in the developing world. Specifically Europe has been considered as wholly developed even though there are still many European countries that are in transition, one of them being Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). Aim: The purpose of this thesis is to find out whether the current Western CSR framework can be applied to European developing countries, specifically to BiH, and whether companies’ attitudes and actions regarding CSR and consumers’ knowledge and attitude towards CSR match each other or not. Definitions: The term CSR generally refers to the impact business has on society beyond its traditional aim of solely seeking profits. Completion and results: A quantitative study in the form of surveys among companies and consumers (students) in BiH was carried out. The results revealed that the Western CSR framework is only limitedly applicable in BiH and that the knowledge about CSR is not on an advanced level and needs to be further developed. A communication gap between companies and consumers was identified.

Today, there is no uniform definition of what an ethical fund is. Fund management companies choose themselves what they believe is ethical and not. The lack of the definition makes it difficult for consumers to understand why these funds are special compared to other funds. The purpose of this study is to examine three Swedish companies; KPA Pension, Swedbank Robur and Folksam, to obtain a clearer picture of the concept ethical funds and its definition. The study describes each company's view of Ethics and how they may affect other companies to work for a more sustainable world. The paper will also discuss how fund companies make a good balance between ethics and profit. The study is based on interviews with people involved in Corporate Social Responsibility and Responsible Investments. The results suggest that companies themselves have difficulties to define what an ethical fund is, but they all believe they have a good chance to influence the various companies. Research on ethical funds and their returns have shown different results. This makes it difficult to determine if ethics and returns go hand in hand or if ethical funds instead leads to a lower risk, with a smaller yield. / I dagsläget finns det ingen enhetlig definition för vad en etisk fond är. Fondbolagen väljer själva vad de anser är etiskt och inte. Den uteblivna definitionen gör det svårt för konsumenter att förstå vad som utmärker just de här fonderna, gentemot andra. Syftet med den här studien är att undersöka tre svenska företag, KPA Pension, Swedbank Robur och Folksam, för att på så sätt få en klarare bild av etiska fonder och dess definition. Studien beskriver vad de olika företagen har för syn på etik och hur de kan påverka de företag de är delägare i. Uppsatsen kommer även att diskutera hur fondbolagen kan få en bra balans mellan etik och avkastning. Studien bygger på intervjuer med personer som arbetar med Corporate Social Responsibility och ansvarsfulla investeringar. Resultatet tyder på att företagen själva har svårt att definiera vad en etisk fond är, men att de alla anser att de har en bra chans att påverka de olika företagen. Forskningen angående etiska fonder och dess avkastning har visat olika resultat. Vilket gör det svårt att bestämma om etik och avkastning går hand i hand eller om etiska fonder istället medför en mindre risk, med en mindre avkastning.

Problem Description: Since there are recognized similarities in the construction industry between relationship building and strategic CSR engaging thus managing and communicating CSR should be evaluated from the industrial network perspective. Close interaction between stakeholders and implemented strategic CSR facilitate to perform successfully and remain competitive when facing challenges in modern construction industry. Peab AB was chosen for the research as one of the leading construction companies in the Nordic region that recently redefined its CSR strategy and now delivering and sharing the vision through entire established network. Purpose of the research: Sustainable development has become part of the business plans for Swedish construction companies. Therefore it is relevant to research implementation of sustainable dynamics in the Peab’s vision by analyzing their strategic CSR process and how it is communicated to their key stakeholders within complex industrial network. Research questions: How is sustainability vision and strategic CSR communicated through Peab’s business relationships within its industrial network? How does the company communicate its CSR strategy within the industrial network? How does the company handle its CSR issues within long-term relationships? Methods: In this thesis qualitative research method with deductive approach has been used. The empirical findings contain primary data such as interviews with the management of the Peab Group, Peab Grundläggning, Swerock and Leimet. The secondary data sources were academical journals, books, Peab website and its corporate policy, annual & sustainability reports. Conclusion: By combining traditional industrial marketing theories together with the modern strategic CSR communication, it has been concluded that the sustainability vision and strategic CSR engaged and communicated to the stakeholders through Peab’s industrial network have process kind of nature.  Even though sustainability vision helps Peab to remain successful and competitive in the long run their performance in the industrial network depends highly on close cooperation with the stakeholders. Close interaction and committed relations with partners is one of the ways of handling sustainability aspects in the construction industry.