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Making sense of CSR communication

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  • Paul Ziek

Abstract

Although a great deal of research has focused on communicating Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the literature is diverse and encompasses a plethora of theories and approaches. It is still unclear what communicative behaviors carry the messages of organizational virtuosity and the implementation of responsible initiatives. What is missing is a simple, inclusive assessment of how organizations explicitly communicate the behaviors that constitute CSR. Accordingly, the purpose of this paper is to provide an illustration of the accounts that constitute CSR communication. Fifty US firms are examined for CSR moves within a variety of organizational contexts. The results show that communicating CSR is limited to large organizations and primarily, that they communicate CSR by conveying information about classically accepted responsible and virtuous behaviors. This patterned communicative behavior is a process that organizations engage in to make sense of CSR. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Paul Ziek, 2009. "Making sense of CSR communication," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 16(3), pages 137-145, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:corsem:v:16:y:2009:i:3:p:137-145
    DOI: 10.1002/csr.183
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