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The Paradox of Corporate Social Responsibility Standards

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  • Simone de Colle
  • Adrian Henriques
  • Saras Sarasvathy

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to provide a constructive criticism of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) standards. After pointing out a number of benefits and limitations in the effectiveness of CSR standards, both from a theoretical point of view and in the light of empirical evidence, we formulate and discuss a Paradox of CSR standards: despite being well-intended, CSR standards can favor the emergence of a thoughtless, blind and blinkered mindset which is counterproductive of their aim of enhancing the social responsibility of the organization. We analyze three problems that might underlie the Paradox—namely the problem of deceptive measurements; the problem of responsibility erosion and the problem of blinkered culture. We apply the philosophical tradition of American Pragmatism to reflect on these issues in relation to different types of existing standards, and conclude by suggesting a number of considerations that could help both CSR standards developers and users to address the Paradox. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2014

Suggested Citation

  • Simone de Colle & Adrian Henriques & Saras Sarasvathy, 2014. "The Paradox of Corporate Social Responsibility Standards," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 125(2), pages 177-191, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:125:y:2014:i:2:p:177-191
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-013-1912-y
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    10. Agnieszka Janik & Adam Ryszko & Marek Szafraniec, 2020. "Greenhouse Gases and Circular Economy Issues in Sustainability Reports from the Energy Sector in the European Union," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-36, November.
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    15. Anna Dos, 2017. "Multi-criteria decision methods for CSR management – literature review," Managerial Economics, AGH University of Science and Technology, Faculty of Management, vol. 18(1), pages 63-86.
    16. Witkowska Janina, 2016. "Corporate Social Responsability: Selected Theoretical and Empirical Aspects," Comparative Economic Research, Sciendo, vol. 19(1), pages 27-43, March.
    17. Céline Bérard & Christelle Bruyere & Séverine Saleilles, 2015. "Sustainability-driven and high-growth SMEs: A paradox approach [Las PYME de sostenibilidad impulsada y el alto crecimiento: Un enfoque por las paradojas]," Post-Print halshs-01354704, HAL.
    18. Filippo Vitolla & Nicola Raimo & Elbano De Nuccio, 2021. "Integrated Reporting: Development and State of Art —The Italian Case in the International Context," International Journal of Business and Management, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 13(11), pages 233-233, July.
    19. Michael A. Sartor & Paul W. Beamish, 2020. "Private Sector Corruption, Public Sector Corruption and the Organizational Structure of Foreign Subsidiaries," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 167(4), pages 725-744, December.
    20. Federica Murmura & Laura Bravi, 2020. "Developing a Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy in India Using the SA 8000 Standard," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-17, April.
    21. Zhihong Wang & Tien‐Shih Hsieh & Joseph Sarkis, 2018. "CSR Performance and the Readability of CSR Reports: Too Good to be True?," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 25(1), pages 66-79, January.
    22. Jean-Marie Courrent & Sonia Chassé & Waleed Omri, 2018. "Do Entrepreneurial SMEs Perform Better Because They are More Responsible?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 153(2), pages 317-336, December.

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