Module 7: Corporate Social Responsibility

Resources and Case Studies

Resources

These sites contain additional detailed information on corporate social responsibility and potential areas of action. The links are provided with annotations describing the basic contents of the site.

http://www.csr.gov.uk/– A UK government site with links to resources and a guide to CSR best practices.

strategis.ic.gc.ca/epic/internet/incsr-rse.nsf/en/Home – A Canadian government site that links to outside sites. A toolkit for CSR. The definition is a bit long.

http://www.mhcinternational.com/measurement.htm– A UK-based private institute. Documents about measurement and strategies for maintaining a CSR program.

http://www.asyousow.org/csr/– A California-based private organization dedicated to CSR and sustainability. Contains CSR guidelines and links to resources on CSR.

http://www.bitc.org.uk/– A UK-based business organization. Provides a toolkit for CSR guidance with a detailed why and how-to guide to CSR programs. Business in the community also has a large list of case studies of CSR achievements in the UK. http://www.bitc.org.uk/resources/case_studies/

http://www.core77.com/reactor/07.06_csr.asp– An article promoting CSR in smaller businesses.

http://www.unglobalcompact.org/– A United Nations initiative. A voluntary international partnership program for CSR with standard goals and principles.

http://www.globalreporting.org/– A Netherlands-based international CSR reporting initiative with guidelines on standard reporting of CSR in a manner similar to financial reporting. Small and Medium business resources are located at http://www.globalreporting.org/WhoAreYou/SME/

http://www.wbcsd.ch/– A Switzerland-based international business organization. It defines CSR and provides information and guidance on why and how to start a CSR program.

http://www.gemi.org/– A Washington, D.C.–based business partnership program that provides documents on environmental sustainability and benefits for business.

http://www.iisd.org/– A Canada-based international NGO. It offers documents and resources supporting sustainable-development projects.

http://www.bsr.org/– A U.S.-based international business organization that provides membership services and resources on corporate responsibility.

http://www.article13.com/ -- A UK-based strategic advising company specializing in CSR. Site also contains a sizeable list of case studies.

Corporate Social Responsibility Case Studies

Company: H Marcel Guest, a British paint manufacturer.

Projects: Focus on education, environment, and community with projects including donating supplies to local community projects, creating a nature reserve in the area to provide both a natural and educational resource, and providing staff for training programs in local schools.

Results: HMG has been recognized as a good member of the community and has gained a customer base that is concerned with responsibility as well as a number of environmental awards.

Source: http://www.article13.com/csr/CBI_csrcasestudies.asp

Company: AWG plc, a British water and wastewater utility.

Projects: Operates RiverCare, a program designed to protect the water quality in the regions rivers through aiding in the management of potential contaminants and organizing cleanups with local groups.

Results: AWG has managed to prove to their community the greater value of the services they provide as well as to gain positive publicity.

Source: http://www.article13.com/csr/CBI_csrcasestudies.asp

Company: SJ Berwin, a London-based law firm with operations throughout Europe.

Projects: After working with a carbon auditing company, SJ Berwin decided to become a carbon-neutral company. They started by purchasing carbon offsets and later included a number of measures to reduce the company’s environmental impact when moving into new office space.

Results: SJ Berwin’s dedication to carbon neutrality has led to improved recruiting of staff that keeps the company competitive, also the reduction in environmental impact has led to reduced operating costs for the office.

Source: http://www.article13.com/csr/CBI_csrcasestudies.asp

Company: Workspace Group, provides office space to businesses in London, UK

Projects: Workspace began reporting on sustainability in 2000, and recently as an improvement in their sustainability program decided to benchmark their performance with the London Plan, a 6 step plan to improve the city with programs including increased diversity, economic development, and greater environmental sustainability.

Results: Workspace has been more able to determine both the long and short term facing their company and city and is now in a better position to plan for a better future.

Source: http://www.article13.com/csr/CBI_csrcasestudies.asp

Company: Bovince Ltd., a small printing company.

Projects: Began reporting on their environmental impacts and used the results of their reports to guide them through production changes and continual improvement that reduced their environmental impact.

Results: A 20% reduction in the production cost of products, increased business from customers who are selecting products with a concern for environmental impact, and a better position to accommodate new environmental regulations.

Source: http://www.smallbusinessjourney.com/Page31.asp

Company: Flag Communications, a small marketing and PR firm in the UK.

Projects: The company has formed an internal group to focus on environmental and social issues, this has led to projects including sourcing services and supplies from environmentally responsible providers, various programs at local schools, and Flag Communications donating services to non-profit organizations helping in the community.

Results: Improved reputation, better employee morale and retention.

Source: http://www.smallbusinessjourney.com/Page31.asp