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A reinterpretation of the principles of CSR: a pragmatic approach

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  • Bjørn‐Tore Blindheim*
  • Oluf Langhelle

Abstract

Theories of Corporate Social Performance (CSP) have been criticized for lacking a clear normative theory of business in society capable of prescribing how management practice can reasonable move from ‘what is’ to ‘what should be’. This paper argues for a pragmatic approach to the role and responsibility of business in society in which the normative deficiencies of CPS theory can be strengthened through democratic iterations over some or the other ethical treatise, and thus come to constitute a justified foundation for companies' efforts in the societal arena. We illustrate our approach to a normative theory of business in society by reinterpreting the principles of corporate social responsibility (CSR) – constituting the normative foundation of CSP theory – from the vantage point of sustainable development. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

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  • Bjørn‐Tore Blindheim* & Oluf Langhelle, 2010. "A reinterpretation of the principles of CSR: a pragmatic approach," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 17(2), pages 107-117, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:corsem:v:17:y:2010:i:2:p:107-117
    DOI: 10.1002/csr.235
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    2. George Ted Khiong Thien, 2015. "CSR for Clients’ Social/Environmental Impacts?," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 22(2), pages 83-94, March.
    3. Sergiy D. Dmytriyev & R. Edward Freeman & Jacob Hörisch, 2021. "The Relationship between Stakeholder Theory and Corporate Social Responsibility: Differences, Similarities, and Implications for Social Issues in Management," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(6), pages 1441-1470, September.
    4. Issam Laguir & Lamia Laguir & Jamal Elbaz, 2016. "Are Family Small‐ and Medium‐Sized Enterprises More Socially Responsible Than Nonfamily Small‐ and Medium‐Sized Enterprises?," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 23(6), pages 386-398, November.
    5. Sarah Elena Windolph & Dorli Harms & Stefan Schaltegger, 2014. "Motivations for Corporate Sustainability Management: Contrasting Survey Results and Implementation," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 21(5), pages 272-285, September.
    6. Jonathan P. Doh & Peter Tashman, 2014. "Half a World Away: The Integration and Assimilation of Corporate Social Responsibility, Sustainability, and Sustainable Development in Business School Curricula," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 21(3), pages 131-142, May.
    7. Tiago Melo & Alvaro Garrido‐Morgado, 2012. "Corporate Reputation: A Combination of Social Responsibility and Industry," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(1), pages 11-31, January.
    8. Silvia Ferramosca & Roberto Verona, 2020. "Framing the evolution of corporate social responsibility as a discipline (1973–2018): A large‐scale scientometric analysis," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(1), pages 178-203, January.
    9. Tan Seng Teck & Selvamalar Ayadurai & William Chua & Tan Peng Liang & Nanthakumar Karuppiah, 2020. "Institutionalising a Withering Sense in Corporate Social Responsibility," Journal of Management and Sustainability, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 10(1), pages 1-54, July.
    10. Haeyoung Ryu & Soo-Joon Chae, 2022. "Relationship between Related Party Transactions and the Social Contribution Activities of South Korean Chaebol Companies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-11, February.
    11. Maurício José Serpa Barros de Moura & Rodrigo de Losso da Silveira Bueno & Helena Wagner P. Rocha & Patricia Morilha Muritiba & Sérgio Nunes Muritiba, 2011. "An analysis of factors affecting the ethical conduct of microcredit officers," Brazilian Business Review, Fucape Business School, vol. 8(1), pages 1-26, January.

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