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Corporate social responsibility in times of recession: Changing discourses and implications for policy and practice

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  • Louise Ellis
  • Claire Bastin

Abstract

In UK environmental, social, and economic policy‐making sustainable development (SD) is discussed in a corporate‐centric manner, with corporate social responsibility (CSR) seen as an extension of SD. The CSR and SD agendas have, to some extent, been confined to ones which are ‘safe’ in the current economic system. This paper examines whether the way corporations ‘talk about’ CSR has changed during the recession. Using document analysis and interviews with key informants, this paper contributes to the debate around whether change in language leads to change in action and whether this affects agenda‐setting and policy‐making. This paper contributes to the debate linking CSR and corporate activity and investigates how robust CSR activity is when economic prosperity is threatened. Initial findings suggest that CSR is seemingly recession‐proof, at least in part because corporate commitment to CSR remains conservative and securely grounded in the safe area of efficiency. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Louise Ellis & Claire Bastin, 2011. "Corporate social responsibility in times of recession: Changing discourses and implications for policy and practice," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 18(5), pages 294-305, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:corsem:v:18:y:2011:i:5:p:294-305
    DOI: 10.1002/csr.254
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    7. Saiful Arefeen & Koji Shimada, 2020. "Performance and Resilience of Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) and Conventional Funds during Different Shocks in 2016: Evidence from Japan," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-20, January.
    8. Esther Martínez‐Garcia & Joan Sorribes & Dolors Celma, 2018. "Sustainable Development through CSR in Human Resource Management Practices: The Effects of the Economic Crisis on Job Quality," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 25(4), pages 441-456, July.
    9. Antonio Salvi & Felice Petruzzella & Anastasia Giakoumelou, 2018. "CSR and Financial Performance: Trick Or Treat? A Longitudinal Study on Holistic CSR Practices," International Journal of Business and Management, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 13(6), pages 1-43, April.
    10. Luca Di Simone & Barbara Petracci & Mariacristina Piva, 2022. "Economic Sustainability, Innovation, and the ESG Factors: An Empirical Investigation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-16, February.
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