Cranfield School of Management

Defining Corporate Responsibility

Corporate sustainability is "A business approach that creates long-term shareholder value by embracing the opportunities and managing the risks associated with economic, environmental and social developments."    PWC/SAM - The Sustainability Yearbook 2008

At the Doughty Centre we define a 'responsible business' as one that:

  • Is committed to minimising any negative impacts on the environment and wider community
  • Adopts ethical and transparent business practices with respect for employees, the environment and wider community
  • Is designed to deliver sustainable value for stakeholders and communities
  • Fully integrates sustainability and responsibility into day-to-day business practices

You will see many different terms used: CSR, corporate responsibility, sustainability, accountable corporation, triple bottom line, corporate citizenship ... . In essence, we are talking about how business behaves - and ultimately, better business.

Other definitions include:

Commission of the European Union
CSR is "... the responsibility of enterprises for their impacts on society."  Commission Communication on CSR 2011. 
 
World Business Council for Sustainable Development
"Sustainable development meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs" and "CSR is the continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as of the local community and society at large." (WBCSD, 1999).
 
UN Global Compact (http://www.unglobalcompact.org)
"Through the power of collective action, the Global Compact seeks to advance responsible corporate citizenship so that business can be part of the solution to the challenges of globalization. In this way, the private sector - in partnership with other social actors - can help realize the Secretary-General's vision: a more sustainable and inclusive global economy."
 
Junior Chamber International - CSR
"JCI believes that CSR is about what business can do - not about what business must do. It is about opportunities not about obligations or new rules." (global congress October 2005 Vienna)
 
Grayson and Hodges: Corporate Social Responsibility or Responsible Entrepreneurship
"Businesses seeking to minimise their negative environmental and social impacts and to maximise their positive environmental and social impacts."

What's New:


Annual Report

The Doughty Centre’s 4th annual report to stakeholders covers the academic year 2010-2011. If you would like to receive a hard copy please email thea.hughes@cranfield.ac.uk


The Business Case for Responsible Business

Joint publication with BITC, a report for business identifying 7 current and 2 new business benefits from responsible business. Includes description, facts and figures from our research, and company examples.


Engaging Employees in Corporate Responsibility

6th in our How to series, this guide helps you engage your employees in CR, from identifying your objectives, understanding context, diagnosing enablers and barriers, choosing suitable strategies, and measuring success.

home about mba msc doctorates executive development research information contact us