is a wide-ranging agenda that involves businesses looking at how to improve their social, environmental and local economic impact, their influence on society, social cohesion and human rights, and fair trade. CSR is an issue both for large multinationals and for small, locally based businesses.
the responsibility of a corporation to maximize benefits to society, acting in accordance with principles of sustainability, justice, and equity
A set of voluntary commitments aimed at guaranteeing ethical behavior toward the environment, local communities and society at large; addresses issues such as labor rights, non-discrimination, child workers and more. The terms 'CSR' and 'sustainability' are often used interchangeably.
Managing a companyâ€(tm)s business processes in a way that creates economic value while also respecting people and communities and minimising environmental impact.
This term describes the interaction of a corporation with its stakeholders, including employees, customers, investors, government, distributors and suppliers. CSR Europe began in 1995 when the corporate sector voluntarily began to look for new ways to enhance their social responsibility. This may include investment in community programs, employee relations, financial accountability and environmental impact, among others.
is the commitment of business to contribute to sustainable economic development, working with employees, their families, the local community and society at large to improve their quality of life. (Source:World Business Council for Sustainable Development)
is concerned with treating the stakeholders of the firm ethically or in a socially responsible manner. Stakeholders exist both within a firm and outside. Consequently, behaving socially responsibly will increase the human development of stakeholders both within and outside the corporation. Source: Michael Hopkins: A Planetary Bargain: Corporate Social Responsibility Comes of Age (Macmillan, UK, 1998)
A growing function in business life, based on the belief that business can't isolate itself from the society in which it operates. It includes environmental responsibility, employee conditions and ethical behaviour generally.
Companies have been encouraged to develop socially and environmentally aware practices and policies.
The responsibility businesses have to take account of their economic, social and environmental impacts, and act to address the key sustainable development challenges based on their core competencies wherever they operate – locally, regionally and internationally.
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development defines corporate social responsibility as "the continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as of the local community and society at large."
Definitions appear in the 'In brief' section. Now the most commonly used term to describe CSR in its current evolutionary state, CSR was mentioned on national television news for the first time in early 2004.
The terms corporate responsibility and corporate social responsibility are used as identical terms within this website. "Operating a business in a manner that meets or exceeds the ethical, legal, commercial and public expectations that society has of business. Social Responsibility is a guiding principle for every decision made and in every area of a business." (Business for Social Responsibility, USA)
The idea that businesses are committed to contributing to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families, as well as of the local community and society at large.
Corporate social responsibility described the body of management systems and tools that help companies minimize their environmental impact, adhere to international labor standards, contribute to their communities and manage toward a more economically sustainable world.
A company's obligation to be accountable to all of its stakeholders in all its operations and activities with the aim of achieving sustainable development not only in the economical dimension but also in the social and environmental dimensions.
The Green Book of the European Commission "Promoting a European framework for Corporate Social Responsibility" defines corporate social responsibility as the "voluntary integration of corporate social and environmental concerns in their commercial operations and in their relations with the parties concerned. [...] To be socially responsible - the Green Book states - does not only mean to fully meet the applicable juridical obligations but also to go beyond this by investing in human capital, in the environment and in the relations with the related parties".
How business deals wuith its economic, social and environmental effects - increasing the benefits and reducing 'downsides'. www.csr.gov.uk
Corporate social responsibility requires that businesses account for, and measure, actual or potential economic, social and environmental impacts of their decisions. It can involve actions being taken that exceed mere compliance with minimum legal requirements. CSR suggests that commercial corporations have a duty of care to all stakeholders in all aspects of business operations. Stakeholders are those influenced by, or who can influence, a business's decisions and actions, including employees, customers, suppliers, community organisations, subsidiaries and affiliates, partners, local neighbourhoods, investors, and shareholders.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a concept that states that organisations, especially (but not only) commercial businesses, have a duty of care to all of their stakeholders in all aspects of their operations. This duty of care is seen to go beyond their statutory obligation to comply with legislation.