Corporate Responsibility

Paul A Argenti - Dartmouth College, The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College

Courses:
Business & Society | Corporate Social Responsibility

July 2015 | 408 pages | SAGE Publications, Inc

“This is the cutting-edge textbook on a managerial approach to corporate responsibility. Students and executives will benefit a great deal by studying the cases and best practices that are here. It’s a terrific book.”

—Ed Freeman, Elis and Signe Olsson Professor of Business Administration,

Darden School of Business, University of Virginia

Corporate Responsibility offers a concise and comprehensive introduction to the functional area of corporate responsibility. Readers will learn how corporate responsibility is good for business and how leaders balance their organization’s needs with responsibilities to key constituencies in society. Author Paul A. Argenti engages students with new and compelling cases by focusing on the social, reputational, or environmental consequences of corporate activities. Students will learn how to make difficult choices, promote responsible behavior within their organizations, and understand the role personal values play in developing effective leadership skills.

Available Formats

ISBN: 9781483383101	Paperback	Suggested Retail Price: $156.00	Bookstore Price: $124.80
ISBN: 9781483383118	Electronic Version	Suggested Retail Price: $91.00	Bookstore Price: $72.80

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Preface

Why Corporate Responsibility?

What Is This Book About?

Why Is Corporate Responsibility So Important Today?

Acknowledgments

About the Author

Part I: What and Why

1. An Introduction to Corporate Responsibility

What Is Corporate Responsibility?

The 21st Century's CR Surge

The Upside of CR

Responsibility Inside and Out: Employee Involvement In CR

Building a Values-Based Culture

The Evolution of CR

How to Think About CR: Frameworks and Implementation

Conclusion

Notes

Starbucks Coffee Company

2. The Business Case for CR

What Is the "Business Case" for Corporate Responsibility?

Perceived Barriers to Corporate Responsibility

Models Created to Categorize the Benefits of CR Initiatives

Creating Value Through Corporate Responsibility

The Business Case for Sustainability

Structure of CR Function

Conclusion

Notes

Unilever’s Sustainable Living Plan: Revolutionizing Sustainability on a Global Scale

Part II: Three Components of CR: Environmental, Social, and Governance

3. Environmental Responsibility

The Evolution of Corporate Environmental Responsibility

Greenwashing and Sustainability Rankings

Measuring Environmental Friendliness

The Current State/Heading Toward a Triple Win

Growing Investor Interest

Human Capital and Sustainability

Conclusion

Notes

Wal-Mart’s Sustainability Strategy

4. The Corporation’s Responsibility to Society: Human Rights and Labor Issues

Introduction to Socially Responsible Business Practices

Socially Responsible Labor Practices

Workplace Discrimination

Labor Issues in the Supply Chain

The Scope of Human Rights Responsibility

Conclusion

Notes

Royal Dutch/Shell Group: Brent Spar and Nigeria

5. The Corporation’s Responsibility to Consumers

The Food Industry

The Healthcare and Pharmaceutical Industries

Conclusion

Notes

Creating Shared Value at McDonald’s

6. Responsible Corporate Governance

The Board of Directors

Corporate Governance in Crisis

The 2007 Financial Crisis

Government Response to Corporate Scandals

The Evolution of Corporate Governance to Include Corporate Social Responsibility

Conclusion

Notes

The New York Stock Exchange and Richard Grasso: Excessive Compensation as a Failure of Corporate Governance

Part III: Corporate Responsibility in Action

7. Corporate Ethics

Definition of Corporate Ethics

The Evolution of Corporate Ethics

Corporate Ethics in the Modern Era

Relationship Between Ethics and Other Areas of CR

How Ethics Informs Business Decision-Making

Role of Ethics in MBA Curricula

Ethics as a Creator of Shared Value

Conclusion

Notes

Il Mare’s Oculare

8. Corporate Philanthropy

Motivations Behind and Critiques Against CP

The Strategic Approach to CP

The Business Case and Value Creation

Measuring Progress and Improving Outcomes

Conclusion

Notes

Corporate Philanthropy at Goldman Sachs: 10,000 Small Businesses

9. Communicating Corporate Responsibility

The Strategic Importance of Communicating CR

The Current Environment for Promoting Responsible Business Practices

How to Effectively Communicate Your Company's CR Strategy

The Connection Between Communicating CR and Corporate Reputation

CR Reporting

Communicating CR in a Digital World

Conclusion

Notes

FIJI Water: Going Green or Greenwashing?

10. Implementing a CR Strategy

Current Approaches to CR Implementation

Our Approach

How CR Strategy Relates to Implementation

Where Do CSR Strategies Usually Come From?

How Do You Select and Refine Your CSR Focus?

How Should a Corporation Evaluate CR Strategies/Opportunities?

Driving Internal Change

Establishing a Change Movement Organization

Gaining Support of the Top Management Team

Establishing Organizational Momentum

Reinforcing Through Incentives

Partnering with External Parties

Measuring and Reacting

Social Sustainability

Conclusion

Notes

The Timberland Company: Managing a Socially Responsible Supply Chain

Index

"This is the cutting-edge textbook on a managerial approach to corporate responsibility. Students and executives will benefit a great deal by studying the cases and best practices that are here. It's a terrific book."

Ed Freeman

Elis and Signe Olsson Professor of Business Administration, Darden School of Business, University of Virginia

"Over the last years, I have seen the concepts and lessons explained in this book become increasingly essential for business success. In my view, for organizations to be optimally prepared for the future, executing on Argenti's main principle is essential: to incorporate CR into every aspect of the business strategy. Finally, we have a practical and comprehensive framework for business students on one of the most fundamental topics leaders need to focus on in today’s and tomorrow’s reality."

Dailah Nihot

Global Head of Sustainability, ING

"Professor Argenti's book fills a void in the current business education curriculum. To be sure, he provides a well-researched and thoughtful discussion of the many manifestations of corporate responsibility in today's leading businesses. More importantly, however, he guides the reader through the process of knitting these various opportunities together into a coherent business strategy and, critically, communicating strategy and performance with stakeholders in an authentic manner."

Michael Dupee

Vice President of Sustainability, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters

“ABC of Corporate Responsibility”

Benedict Uzochukwu

Virginia State University

“Very informative and yet very easy to read and understand”

Joseph Youchison

Benedictine University

“Well-written and clear in exposition, logically organized, and humane and balanced in its approach to exploring CSR”

Edward Murphy

Northeastern University

Key features

KEY FEATURES:

Comprehensive real-world case studies in each chapter challenge students to think critically and apply the concepts they learned to cases based on realistic business situations.
A practical approach fosters critical thinking and encourages students to communicate and implement corporate responsibility strategically and effectively.
A focus on the business case for corporate responsibility demonstrates how corporate responsibility is both financially beneficial and necessary in today’s business environment.
An emphasis on communicating corporate responsibility illustrates the need for companies to find ways for constituencies to see them as responsible players.
An all-in-one resource for students describes the current landscape of corporate responsibility and guides them to what companies can and should do to cultivate responsible behavior.

Sample Materials & Chapters

Chapter 1

Chapter 3

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Corporate Responsibility

Sample Materials & Chapters

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