Democracy and Private Discretion in Business

2005 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wim Dubbink
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Power ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Modern Theory ◽  
Democratic Deficit ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Social ◽  
Corporate Social

Abstract:Some critics raise moral objections against corporate social responsibility on account of its supposedly undemocratic nature. They argue that it is hard to reconcile democracy with the private discretion that always accompanies the discharge of responsibilities that are not judicially enforceable. There are two ways of constructing this argument: the “perfect-market argument” and the ‘social-power argument.” This paper demonstrates that the perfect-market argument is untenable and that the social-power argument is sometimes valid. It also asserts that the proponents of the perfect-market argument are mistaken in their assumption that perfect markets are conducive to democracy. There are strong reasons to hold that perfect markets are undesirable from a democratic point of view. A proper conceptualization and differentiation of the relation between “the private and the public” can make this clear. The proponents of the social-power argument sometimes maintain that the democratic deficit can be compensated for by consulting the stakeholders affected. Against this, I will argue that the social power argument has nothing to offer affected parties. Still, it will be shown that modern theory on corporate social responsibility is not well accommodated to the democratic deficit as revealed by the social power argument.

Corporate social responsibility disclosure on the websites of coffee chains in Turkey

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Petek Tosun
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Content Analysis ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Public Attention ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Social ◽  
Csr Disclosure ◽  
Social And Environmental Responsibilities ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose Coffee is among the primary products that attract the public attention to the social and environmental responsibilities of companies. Coffee shops have a big carbon footprint because of their daily operations. With the rising consciousness about sustainability in developing countries, online disclosure of corporate social responsibility (CSR) is becoming increasingly important for not only multinational but also local coffee chains. The purpose of this study is to analyze the extent to which coffee chains include CSR on their websites. Design/methodology/approach Turkey, which is a large emerging economy with an expanding coffee chain market, is selected as the research context. The CSR disclosure on the websites of coffee chains is examined by content analysis according to CSR dimensions. A sample of 27 coffee chains with more than ten stores is included in the analysis. Findings Foreign coffee chains disclose more information on the environment and fair trade than local coffee chains. On the other hand, CSR content in websites of foreign and local coffee chains does not differ significantly in human resources and community dimensions. Foreign coffee chains have comparatively longer brand history, more rooted brands and larger networks than local coffee chains. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is the first that used a content analysis about CSR on the websites of coffee chains in Turkey. Findings contribute to the understanding of CSR disclosure in the coffee chain industry and can be beneficial for researchers and managers in other emerging markets.

Determinants of Corporate Social Responsibility of a Social Enterprise: An Empirical Analysis

2016 ◽  
Vol 19 (03) ◽  
pp. 1650018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Soon-Beng Chew ◽  
Wei Quan Jeffrey Huang ◽  
Hui Ching Chia ◽  
Huang Chi Soh
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Collective Bargaining ◽  
Labor Movement ◽  
Social Enterprise ◽  
Field Survey ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Government ◽  
Corporate Social

This paper makes an attempt to estimate the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of a social enterprise in Singapore. Following the literature, we measure CSR based on a set of standard questions to gauge how the public values CSR according to these standard questions. The social enterprise being studied is NTUC Fairprice. NTUC is Singapore's labor movement which is a macro-focused union that works well with the government to achieve growth with equity ([Yao, S and SB Chew (2014). A mathematical model of a macro-focused labour union. Singapore Economic Review, 59(4), 1–13] for the theory of the macro-focused union). In this study, we also measure the CSR of Giant, another supermarket which is a commercial firm. A comparative analysis of the estimate of the CSR of these two firms is then made. The main finding is that, based on a field survey, Singaporeans value the CSR of NTUC Fairprice more highly than that of Giant. Our regression analysis reveals that the CSR valuation of NTUC Fairprice is basically determined by how people perceive NTUC Fairprice in terms of their sentiments. On the other hand, the only variable that is statistically significant in explaining changes in the CSR valuation of Giant is Malay respondents. The study also finds that, based on the second field survey, almost 85% of respondents chose to become members of NTUC because of non-collective bargaining benefits and only 10% joined the union because of sentiment. The main conclusion is that it pays for an organization to be known as a social enterprise. As NTUC Fairprice is a social enterprise of the labor movement in Singapore, union members are always supportive of the social effort of its cooperatives, of which NTUC Fairprice is one. An important incentive for workers to become union members is the provision of non-collective bargaining benefits provided by the labor movement.

scholarly journals RESEARCH OF APPROACHES TO THE ASSESSMENT OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESSES

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (197) ◽  
pp. 63-69
Author(s):  
E.P. Troshina ◽  
◽  
T.A. Chizhova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Economic ◽  
Scientific Work ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
The Public ◽  
Social Mission ◽  
The Social ◽  
Corporate Social

With the increasing role assigned to the social mission of business in the formation of a positive image in front of the public, the problem of evaluating the activities in the field of corporate social responsibility (CSR) by organizations focused on successful development is becoming increasingly relevant. The article discusses the various approaches currently used in practice (including standards, sustainability indices, self-assessment models) that allow evaluating the activities of organizations in the field of CSR. Such a variety of evaluation methods is due to the fact that each of them has a number of limitations in its application, which should be considered. As a result of systematization of the approaches to CSR assessment considered in the framework of the study, their comparative analysis was carried out in key areas of CSR. A significant result of the presented scientific work is the determination of the most appropriate method for assessing the activities of mediumsized businesses in all areas of CSR (environmental, social, economic, stakeholders, neighborliness).

Social responsibility: The changing role of business in South Africa

1979 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 93-100 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. F. Wagenaar
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
South African ◽  
Business Community ◽  
Business Managers ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Social ◽  
Corporate Social ◽  
Changing Role

Business in South Africa is becoming increasingly involved in the solution of the social problems of the country, and business managers face growing demands concerning the corporate social responsibility of the private sector. The author investigated the nature and scope of corporate social responsibility in South Africa, considering both the viewpoint of business managers, and the expectations of the public. Both questionnaires and interviews were used in the investigation. The attitudes of managers and the expectations of society are set out in detail, and are then compared, showing that society is significantly more in favour of corporate social responsibility than the business community. There is, however, also a growing social awareness among South African business leaders.Sake-ondernemings in Suid-Afrika word toenemend betrek by die oplossing van die sosiale probleme van die land, en bestuurders is blootgestel aan toenemende eise wat betref die sosiale verantwoordelikheid van die private onderneming. Die skrywer het die aard en trefwydte van die sosiale verantwoordelikheid van Suid-Afrikaanse ondernemings ondersoek, met inagneming van sowel die standpunt van sakebestuurders as die verwagtings van die publiek. Vraelyste en personlike onderhoude is in die ondersoek gebruik. Die houdings van bestuurders en die verwagtings van die gemeenskap word volledig uiteengesit, en word dan vergelyk. Dit blyk dat die gemeenskap betekenisvol meer ten gunste is van sosiaal-verantwoordelike optrede deur ondernemings, as die sakelui. Daar is egter ook 'n groeiende bewustheid van sosiale verantwoordelikheid onder Suid-Afrikaanse sakeleiers.

scholarly journals Why do corporate actors engage in pro-social behaviour? A Bourdieusian perspective on corporate social responsibility

Organization ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 349-371 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominik van Aaken ◽  
Violetta Splitter ◽  
David Seidl
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Practice ◽  
Social Power ◽  
Social Practices ◽  
Theoretical Concepts ◽  
Novel Approach ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Individual ◽  
Corporate Social

Drawing on Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of social practice, this article develops a novel approach to the study of corporate social responsibility (CSR). According to this approach, pro-social activities are conceptualized as social practices that individual managers employ in their efforts to attain social power. Whether such practices are enacted or not depends on (1) the particular features of the social field; (2) the individual managers’ socially shaped dispositions and (3) their stock of different forms of capital. By combining these theoretical concepts, the Bourdieusian approach we develop highlights the interplay between the economic and non-economic motivations that underlie CSR, acknowledging influences both on the micro- and the macro-level, as well as deterministic and voluntaristic aspects of human behaviour.

Corporate Social Responsibility Theories

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Domènec Melé
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Integration ◽  
Social Power ◽  
Historical Background ◽  
The Political ◽  
Wealth Creation ◽  
Political Arena ◽  
The Social ◽  
Corporate Social

This article follows the study of Garriga and Melé (2004), which distinguishes four groups of corporate social responsibility theories, considering their respective focus on four different aspects of the social reality: economics, politics, social integration, and ethics. The first one focuses on economics. Here the corporation is seen as a mere instrument for wealth creation. The second group focuses on the social power of the corporation and its responsibility in the political arena associated with its power. The third group focuses on social integration. It includes theories which consider that business ought to integrate. In describing each theory, this article commences with an overview, followed by a brief historical background, including the milestones of its development. Then, it outlines the conceptual bases of the theory, concluding with a brief discussion on the strengths and weaknesses of each theory.

Corporate Social Responsibility in the West (U.S. and West Europe) vs. East (China)

2015 ◽  
pp. 1140-1154
Author(s):  
Ruth Wolf
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Natural Environment ◽  
Social Economic ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Cultural Norms ◽  
The West ◽  
Social Perspectives ◽  
The Social ◽  
Corporate Social

This chapter explains why Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is not widespread in some of countries, such as China, and how little effort towards CSR can create problems regarding a country's ability to trade with other countries that have national CSR policies and regulations. The chapter shows the strengths of organizations through the point of view of ethical social responsibility that actualizes itself in CSR. There is no doubt that the contribution to a community regarding the community's social, economic, and natural environment is impacted by different factors. A community is impacted by national policies as well as by the social perspectives and practices that exist in that nation. This chapter highlights the need to revive ethical values in the fields of society, economics, and the natural environment in correlation with the social and cultural norms in each given country.

scholarly journals Fostering Sustainable Development: A Corporate Social Responsibility Approach

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 62
Author(s):  
Oluyomi A. Osobajo ◽  
Olushola E. Ajide ◽  
Afolabi Otitoju
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Competitive Advantage ◽  
Sustainable Management ◽  
Corporate Strategy ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Social ◽  
Corporate Social

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is the sacrificing of profits in the social interest of the public for sustainable management in an economical, ecological and social manner. It is the use of assets responsibly to create a competitive advantage and promote sustainable development. It is a series of interventions by companies to ameliorate externalized impact or the avoidance of conflicts. This article argues that CSR could be used as a tool for the attainment of sustainable development in the global south. Our aim is that companies should understand the critical role that CSR could play and adopt a corporate strategy that would use CSR to advance and enhance the value of the organization, thereby positively to impact the society.

Corporate Social Responsibility in the West (U.S. and West Europe) vs. East (China)

2015 ◽  
pp. 97-111
Author(s):  
Ruth Wolf
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Natural Environment ◽  
Social Economic ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Cultural Norms ◽  
The West ◽  
Social Perspectives ◽  
The Social ◽  
Corporate Social

This chapter explains why Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is not widespread in some of countries, such as China, and how little effort towards CSR can create problems regarding a country's ability to trade with other countries that have national CSR policies and regulations. The chapter shows the strengths of organizations through the point of view of ethical social responsibility that actualizes itself in CSR. There is no doubt that the contribution to a community regarding the community's social, economic, and natural environment is impacted by different factors. A community is impacted by national policies as well as by the social perspectives and practices that exist in that nation. This chapter highlights the need to revive ethical values in the fields of society, economics, and the natural environment in correlation with the social and cultural norms in each given country.

Digitization as a Stimulus for Corporate Social Responsibility

2020 ◽  
pp. 46-64
Author(s):  
Hristina Vilhelm Blagoycheva
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Aggregate Demand ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
Labor Costs ◽  
Socially Responsible ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Social ◽  
Key Factor ◽  
Corporate Social

It has already been proven that digitization creates economic growth. But a key factor for the future of society is its perception from the social point of view. Digitization leads to changes that will inevitably affect aggregate demand, employment, and labor costs. Therefore, the purpose of this chapter is to investigate how the digitization interacts with the corporate social responsibility to increase the positive effects over the society. Corporate social responsibility is the sphere that implements the non-economic aspects of the digitization. But before its full deployment, there are still a number of obstacles. Numerous studies have shown that digitization can provide tools to facilitate the socially responsible activities. At the same time, it can also serve as a push for corporate social responsibility, as the formation of a socially conscious market leads to socially committed employees and to increasing their demands on the social responsibility of the business.

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