Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is becoming increasingly important for the competitiveness and long-term success of businesses, large and small.
There are a variety of activities at national, European and international level intended to promote CSR.
NATIONAL
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Info Portal
The "Bundesvereinigung der Deutschen Arbeitgeberverbände" (Confederation of German Employers' Associations, abbreviated to "BDA" in German) and the "Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie" (Federation of German Industries, BDI) have set up this Internet portal for public use. It is intended to illustrate companies’ broad social commitment, create a network of CSR players and to foster knowledge exchange. The heart of "CSR Germany", as the portal is known, is the "Good practice" area. - Leitfaden für Gesellschaftliche Verantwortung von Unternehmen (CSR) (Guide to Corporate Social Responsibility)
A guide for those involved in implementing the OECD guidelines. The guide has been published by the "Deutsche Gewerkschaftsbund”"(German Trade Union Confederation, DGB) in cooperation with its training centre, Observatorio Social, the Friedrich Ebert Foundation and the OECD’s Trade Union Advisory Committee (TUAC). - Soziale Verantwortung von Unternehmen (Corporate Social Responsibility)
Document produced by the WHO Regional Office for Europe in cooperation with the “Bundesverband der Betriebskrankenkassen” (Federal Association of Company Health Insurance Funds, BKK) and containing models of good practice. - Soziale Verantwortung und gelebte Unternehmenskultur bringen Wettbewerbsvorteil (Social Responsibility and Active Corporate Culture Create a Competitive Edge)
Study of trades and crafts enterprises by the “Institut für Mittelstandsforschung” (Institute of SME Research, IfM), commissioned by the Bertelsmann Foundation. - Germany's Best Workplaces 2005 Contest as part of the European "Great Place to Work ®" competition.
- Soziale Indikatoren zur Entwicklung von Gesundheit: Soziale Verantwortung von Unternehmen (Social health-development indicators: Corporate Social Responsibility)
Produced by the Federal Association of Company Health Insurance Funds (BKK). - Führungskräfte als Partner der betrieblichen Gesundheitsförderung (Management staff - Partners in workplace health promotion)
In their day-to-day work, management staff directly and indirectly influence their employees' motivation, emotional well-being and health in a variety of ways, as well as affecting their own health and performance. This document, produced by the BKK, contains information on these issues. - Requirement-Analysis
Corporate Social Responsibility in Germany, Siemens AG, October 2002. - Mit sozialer Verantwortung zum Unternehmenserfolg (Using CSR to help ensure business success): A European OSH experts' conference at the German Occupational Safety and Health Exhibition (DASA).
EUROPEAN
- Corporate Social Responsibility for SMEs
This campaign is an initiative by the Enterprise Directorate-General of the European Commission and is primarily aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The goal is to get businesses to voluntarily making tackling social and environmental issues part of their operations and their relations with business associates.
- Communication from the Commission, 2 July 2002
concerning Corporate Social Responsibility: A Business Contribution to Sustainable Development. - Report by the European Parliament, 28 April 2003 , on the Communication from the Commission dated 2 July 2002.
- "The Business Case for Safety and Health at Work"
This report by the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work identifies ten occupational safety and health criteria that underpin Corporate Social Responsibility. Another study finds strong links between the quality of work and productivity. - A website dedicated to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has been set up in Austria in collaboration with the Austrian Federal Ministry of Economics and Labour.
- European Multi Stakeholder Forum on CSR
The Forum's aims include promotion of CSR tools and common practices in Europe. - Social Responsibility Conference
Resolutions, press releases and presentations on the ISO CSR conference held in Stockholm from 21 to 22 June 2004.
Further information on the European level:
- European Commission, Directorate-General Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities
http://europa.eu/comm/employment_social/
soc-dial/csr/index.htm - ABC of CSR INSTRUMENTS
http://europa.eu/comm/employment_social/
soc-dial/csr/abc.htm - INVENTORY OF KEY CSR PUBLICATIONS & ARTICLES
http://europa.eu/comm/employment_social/
soc-dial/csr/csr_library.html - CSR Europe online: The reference centre on Corporate Social Responsibility
http://www.csreurope.org/ - European Business Campaign on CSR
http://www.csrcampaign.org/ - Forum 3 – Corporate Social Responsibility and Work Health
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work
http://osha.europa.eu/publications/forum/3/en/index.htm
INTERNATIONAL
The CSR issue is also being considered at the international level by, for example:
- "SafeWork" programme at the International Labour Organization in Geneva. Details of a conference on CSR, held in October 2003, and other information can be found here.
- "Business for Social Responsibility -BSR" is a global organisation which offers its members information, tools, training and advice on how to implement CSR in their corporate strategies. One interesting document is the "Overview of Corporate Social Responsibility", which can be downloaded free of charge at http://www.bsr.org/Meta/About/index.cfm.
Further examples from specific enterprises and industries
- Examples of good corporate practice on the "CSR Germany" Internet portal
- The Bertelsmann Essentials
- The "Code of Conduct" – the basis for the implementation of social standards - Social management at the Otto Group
- Corporate responsibility at Nokia
- Swisscom’s HR policy
- Sustainability – The guiding principle in the German steel industry
