The Corporate Responsibility Movement

The Lifeworth Annual Reviews on Corporate Social Responsibility have since 2001 tracked the evolution of the CSR movement. This new publication brings together the reviews that appeared between 2001 and 2005, and together they form an extremely interesting historical assessment of the growth of a movement that gone from a sideline activity to a strategic priority for many of today's businesses. The book's introduction is an extensive, well written and thought provoking assessment of the period covered, which provides numerous insights that helps the reader dissect this fascinating period. I was pleased to note that in their reflections, Bendell and other experts – including Dr. Wayne Visser – pull no punches, both with regards to some of the consequences of our global capitalist system on people and planet, but also in their critique of the corporate responsibility movement, which was accused of being "beside the point", effectively operating from the sidelines within organisations, far removed from decision-makers and the ability to have real influence. The analysis ends in 2005, and it is fair to say that a lot has happened since, partly as a result of the climate change agenda, and partly because corporations are becoming increasingly aware of the changing societal expectations of their stakeholders – including customers and to a lesser extent, shareholders. What hasn't changed though, is that the CR movement still lacks courage. While it now has the ear of business leaders, and does have growing influence, it is terrified of losing this position and remains unwilling to ask the really difficult question: Is the corporate business model and its underlying operating system sustainable? Given its historical focus, the book is mainly aimed at CSR purists, but for those among us who do feel inclined to read it, the quality of the analysis make it time well spent! -- Oliver Dudok Van Heel, Founder, Living Values