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The Corporate Social Responsibility of Polish Energy Companies

Author

Listed:
  • Magdalena M. Stuss

    (Institute of Economics, Finance and Management, Jagiellonian University, 31-007 Kraków, Poland)

  • Zbigniew J. Makieła

    (WSB University, 41-300 Dąbrowa Górnicza, Poland)

  • Agnieszka Herdan

    (Accounting and Finance Department, Faculty of Business, University of Greenwich, London SE10 9LS, UK)

  • Gabriela Kuźniarska

    (Institute of Economics, Finance and Management, Jagiellonian University, 31-007 Kraków, Poland)

Abstract

If corporate social responsibility (CSR) is expected to work efficiently, there should be a standardised approach for implementation of the CSR concept for all businesses, including companies operating in the energy sector. Although many companies declare compliance with CSR standards, further investigation should be undertaken to evaluate if and how those standards have been applied in practice. The aim of this research is to examine the level of standardisation of the CSR activities within Polish energy companies and explore the good practices developed by those companies. The Polish energy companies have been selected for the investigation as the literature review we conducted demonstrates that there is limited research in this area and there is a knowledge gap regarding how Polish energy companies apply CSR regulation in practice. To accomplish the stated aims, the following research questions were developed: (1) What is the essence of applying the CSR concept in Polish energy companies, and at what level of development is the concept applied? (2) To what extent do Polish energy companies have a common approach to the CSR concept, and in what areas are there differences? (3) To what extent have Polish energy companies applied global CSR standards and solutions? (4) Is there a gap between the declared measures of CSR and their actual implementation in Polish energy companies? The research methodology of this study is based on a systematic literature review of the sources acquired from databases such as ProQuest, Emerald, SCOPUS and the Jagiellonian University Library. The multiple case study approach was identified as the most suitable research tool. Companies for the study were selected according to their affiliation to the energy sector and listing on the main market of the Warsaw Stock Exchange. These two assumptions allowed us to base this study on the largest Polish energy companies that have international status. Six areas of CSR annual report disclosures have been identified and used for the investigation and analysis. This research looks at similarities and difference between these six aspects of CSRs disclosed by Polish energy companies. The investigation allows us to conclude that the top three energy companies use similar tools to build their CSR strategies: formalised CSR concept, published CSR reports, disclosure of CSR information on the company website, CSR related activities offered to stakeholders, obtained CSR certificates, and CSR awards. This indicates the existence of a standardised approach to CSR across Polish energy companies.

Suggested Citation

  • Magdalena M. Stuss & Zbigniew J. Makieła & Agnieszka Herdan & Gabriela Kuźniarska, 2021. "The Corporate Social Responsibility of Polish Energy Companies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(13), pages 1-16, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:14:y:2021:i:13:p:3815-:d:581780
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Hanna E. Czaja-Cieszyńska & Dominika Kordela, 2023. "Sustainability Reporting in Energy Companies—Is There a Link between Social Disclosures, the Experience and Market Value?," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-15, April.
    4. Jarosław Kaczmarek, 2022. "The Balance of Outlays and Effects of Restructuring Hard Coal Mining Companies in Terms of Energy Policy of Poland PEP 2040," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-30, March.
    5. Izabella Lecka & Janusz Gudowski & Tomasz Wołowiec, 2022. "CSR in Poland and the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goals in the Energy Sector during the COVID-19 Pandemic," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-25, September.
    6. Janusz Reichel & Agata Rudnicka & Błażej Socha, 2023. "Energy Poverty—Do Energy Companies Care? Study Results from European Energy Companies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-15, September.
    7. Roman Tylżanowski & Katarzyna Kazojć & Ireneusz Miciuła, 2023. "Exploring the Link between Energy Efficiency and the Environmental Dimension of Corporate Social Responsibility: A Case Study of International Companies in Poland," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-18, August.
    8. Rafał Trzaska & Adam Sulich & Michał Organa & Jerzy Niemczyk & Bartosz Jasiński, 2021. "Digitalization Business Strategies in Energy Sector: Solving Problems with Uncertainty under Industry 4.0 Conditions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-21, November.

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