The first part of the book introduces the discussion of corporate social responsibility by initiating with Jill J. McMillan, who discusses why corporate social responsibility? To sum up his debate, he says that over the years, individuals have stopped showing genuine care for each other. They don’t care that much for each other. The debate that why now to show this care is answered that. Lately, there has been a realization regarding how much there is a lack of moral authority, and corporation’s only focus on earning. Further, Michael Stohl discusses the new generation of CSR and how they are responding to this call.
Considering the overall changing global predicament, there have been significant efforts made in terms of CSR in the past three decades, and companies have moved on from being mature in their understanding of their corporate social responsibility, but be actual pragmatic and theoretical changes have occurred in their system. Malcolm McIntosh describes the progression of the companies from showing Corporate Social Responsibility to moving towards brand integrity. A brand that becomes renowned as socially responsible gains a lot of public respect. Either it is automobile companies turning towards making electric cars or fast-food chains using biodegradable packaging, moving towards sustainability has become a part of brand integrity now.
In the second part of the book, we learn about how social groups are facing corporate power to make them realize the repercussions of their actions. The 3rd generation CSR explores doesn’t represent any particular firm, individuals, groups, or interests that are specific. It also focuses on public & private boundaries to sort out the underlying issues. It further explains how corporations are playing by the set rules of CSR that are implied across the globe. They merely externalize the actual imports of the overall society and ignore the consequences of their actions.
It doesn’t mean that they are ill-intentioned. They are trying to meet the expectations, yet they need more clarity regarding the activities that are truly helpful and realize how CSR is defined nowadays. Mette Morsing talks about the Scandinavian companies that integrate their corporate strategies with ethics and social responsibility. Mette presents the thoughts that CSR is a moving and ongoing task. Companies need to evolve and immerse themselves in terms of their strategies towards CSR.
Glen Whelan discusses the case of CSR in Asia and Confucianism. The chapter discusses the importance of correct behavior towards CSR. Glen concludes on the importance of CSR in the modern-day corporate structure. Chew Wee Ng discusses the perceptions and practices related to CSR & PR in Singapore. Singapore has organized numerous conferences related to CSR over the years. The classic economists separate the economic approach from the approach of the stakeholders. The survey conducted showed the majority of the business owners depicted their understanding of the modern-day needs of CSR.
Mariela Perez discusses CSR in Mexico with the viewpoint of communication, which faces a lot of challenges in terms of the realization of its importance. From the 1990s onward, Mexico also went through a lot of changes in terms of business and strategy. As per the findings of the study, Mariela found it to be still a new topic to be discussed in Mexico’s business fraternity. There still is a need for a lot of effort to be done, and business needs to change.
In the next part, Methew Seeger discusses the Legal vs Ethical Arguments regarding the CSR. As per Seeger, organizations can’t just be bounded in terms of their understanding of the law. As per their knowledge, there need to be legal strictures placed to address these issues. There need to be ethical boundaries, and moral contingencies need to be placed. Adding to that, a social responsibility model alongside an approach to address organizational responsiveness also needs to be introduced. Keith Michael Hearit discusses the element of corporate deception and Fraud. Legal perspectives are discussed concerning misconduct on behalf of organizations towards their legal obligations, and they need to act socially responsible in predicaments where there is a crisis situation.
They should apologize directly to the victim in that predicament. John Llewellyn discusses the regulations set by the government regarding the CSR. If the governments set rules to follow the basic CSR rules, firms will automatically need to adapt as per the law. The standard rules and regulations will aid in adapting to the situation automatically. Dean Ritz focuses on the concept of corporate personhood and being socially responsible. It helps in bringing out the political predicament, yet the individuals/ human beings also need to rise to the occasion and play their roles in such difficulties.
In the next section, James Arnt Aune discusses the modern-day capitalism and CSR. James discusses Friedman’s arguments and the CSR debate that highlights the role capitalism to be kinder and gentle. Capitalism is always presented as very cold and the CSR debate is dependent upon the assumptions. Facts need to be included more into this debate. Dana L Cloud discusses CSR as an oxymoron, its utilization, and exploitation at boeing. As per her understanding, CSR consists of the real interests of workers that will come up against the essential elements of injustice in capitalism.
Critics of the concept of CSR, as per her understanding must concern themselves with politics. Stewart Lawrence discusses the accounting of sustainability, and as per his/her knowledge, modern societies are involved in their overall understanding. If firms are held accountable for their actions, firms will become more serious about keeping their teams responsible for their actions. An external factor like accountability is highly integral in building the element of understanding regarding this topic. Brenden Kendall discusses consumer activism regarding any issues in a predicament. Consumers need to realize their rights regarding the CSR’s that the companies need to address in their conduct. They need to be conscious of their roles as consumers.
The next part begins with Stanley Deetz discusses the importance of providing a communication-based understanding regarding the complex processes of life. There also needs to be a direction regarding official communication from the government regarding their practices. Stakeholders and other members should be guided to maintain social values CSR. Grant Samkin discusses the threats of sustainability concerning corporate & institutional responses to HIV. There is a need for inclusiveness in the understanding and realization of the problems related to and causing HIV. Companies need to address the crises associated with HIV and how it is infecting the overall predicament.
Marcus Breen addresses the impact of indigenous people on business and society. As per his understanding, they stand on the crossroad where they don’t realize the effect of uniformity and challenge the fundamental assumptions of globalization. The realization of evolving needs is necessary to help them understand the benefits. Graham Knight describes activism, risks, and communicational policies. The movements for sustainability need to become more serious, and the activism related to them needs to be replaced. The interests of producers and consumers both need to be there to implement any policy.
The next chapter begins with Connie Bullius discussing the corporate environmentalism. As per her understanding from the study conducted, more companies haven’t mentioned/ portrayed environmental stances as their primary concern. Hence businesses need to be more open regarding their position on sustainability. Sharon Livesey, in an article, discusses the greening of corporations. A per her understanding, the greening of the brands has an impact on not only the overall market but other competitor brands as well. The practitioners and researchers need to set indicators to further emphasize on the matter. Todd Norton discusses the discourses regarding Public Space & sustainability.
The society promotes sustainability by bridging the gap between social practices. Environmental regulations need to be enforced in order to implement the rules. The US Congress enacted 1982 Act of Coastal Barrier Resources to increase the cost of construction in coastal areas. Yim Ongkrutraksa discusses environmental marketing and advertising techniques to promote sustainability. As per his understanding, voluntary actions need to be taken by the organization, and the ads need be made to encourage the habits like recycling and other practices to promote green culture. Japan, China, and Thailand have made such ads and tactics have led to promote these actions of the government.
Shiv Ganesh describes the sustainable development discourse for the global economy. He highlights the impact of the green economy and how sustainability impacts the overall economic system. To generate meaningful conversations, there needs to be a more profound realization and understanding of the whole predicament to make things better. Douglas Crawford describes the roles of corporate species in the ecosystem. Global climate impact human health directly and the corporate sector while understanding the predicament needs to consider this while making their decisions.
Corporations that are realizing the importance of sustainability are highly commendable and those that give importance to environment quality, economic vitality. Social justice need to work following the changes required in policies, and new structures need to be introduced. Global organizations, Industry regulating authorities, and other entities need to fill in with these economies as per the designs of sustainable communities across the globe. The final section begins with the debate of Eva Collins that discusses if sustainability is sustainable or not? She discusses the management fashions, CSR techniques, sustainable businesses need to develop a framework to address the issues that are existing in the society.
Sustainability needs to be emphasized as the most critical issue & only by prioritizing it can the matter be resolved. Jeanna Abbot writes on CSR and public policy making while emphasizing on the role of government in enforcing laws against this act. There needs to be actions taken in order to make actual difference in terms of CSR and a proper public policy can ensure to address all the concerns presented in the argument. NGO’s role should be taken over by the government organizations that need to address this issue. Priya Kurian describes the case of Subaltern Public while elaborating the postcolonial perspectives on CSR.
As per the understanding, CSR needs to be changed in terms of its references and more immersive ideas need to be endorsed. Lars Thoger describes about the post-modern remarks regarding the issues related to CSR and presents a different overview of the topic. The responsiveness and responsibility are also interconnected and not just the firms but practices also need to change. Lastly, Patricia Wehane discusses the CSR in comparison to Corporate moral obligation to figure of there is a difference between the 2 and as per the findings companies that extend beyond their jurisdiction should be stopped.