Corporate Responsibility Coalitions

This book is a journey from the past to the future of responsible business. This collection provides major thoughts about the coalition between business and social responsibility. It covers a variety of issues within the CSR domain including health, enterprise development, and environment as well as attempts to present a practical platform for business-led corporate responsibility. For anyone who is interested in a collection of actions in this area, this book is a valuable source that allows one to evaluate the situation and it then leads the readers through the future of corporate responsibility activities. In doing so, current trends and the rise of corporate responsibility around the world are portrayed. As a significant feature of the book, it covers various actions in different countries around the world and raises awareness of initiatives and actions that have been done in various parts of the world. In this respect, the book introduces international and national centres and a review of their activities. The other valuable work within the book is presenting corporate responsibility and categorizing them according to the countries. Furthermore, the book assesses the impacts of future economic trends and particularly developing economies on the future of corporate responsibility. In addition to the above, the book has a review of social responsibility views within the context of various religions that have received less attention in many similar works. In addition to the chapters of the book that present history, trends and information that lead the reader to think about practical solutions for the future of corporate responsibility, the book also proposes some helpful guidelines for future practice. For instance, it highlights the importance of a different managerial perspective and the necessity for the development of future leaders. Additionally, the profiles of ten international business-led corporate responsibility coalitions present examples of companies that can clarify the practicality of coalition for those who need this information. To conclude this piece, I would say this is a valuable book that collects a wealth of information in one book that could accelerate the understanding of practical steps towards business-led coalition. As this book almost covers whatever a person requires to know in this area and provides comprehensive information about the issue, nearly every line in it presents something new, requiring patient and careful reading to avoid missing valuable information. Maryam Sadeghi, CSR International

The significance of business-led CR coalitions – such as the WBCSD, UN Global Compact, International Business Leaders Forum – is indisputable. This book addresses the urgent need for informed and balanced analysis of their achievements, their progress and their potential. In addition, the book provides in-depth profiles of the most effective.

The significance of business-led corporate responsibility coalitions is indisputable. The WBCSD has 200 member companies with combined annual revenues of US$7 _trillion_; the UN Global Compact has almost 8,000 corporate members, over two-thirds of them from developing countries. It is estimated that there are more than 110 national and international generalist business-led CR coalitions. But there is now urgent need for informed and balanced analysis of their achievements, their progress and their potential.

Why did these coalitions start and grow? What have been their impacts? Where are they heading now? Where should they be going? What is the future? In a period of austerity, the business and public sector must decide whether funding these coalitions is a priority.

To meet current crises, there will have to be a great deal more business involvement; but efforts of individual corporations will not be sufficient. There is also a need for far more collective action among companies and more collaborative action between different sectors of society. Business-led CR coalitions with their decades of convening experience could play an important role in this process - if they are fit for purpose going forward.

Authors David Grayson and Jane Nelson have been actively involved in such coalitions for decades. In Corporate Responsibility Coalitions they first explore the past, present and future of these coalitions: the emergence of new models of collective corporate action over the past four decades; the current state of play, and the increasing number, diversity and complexity in terms of how they not only network with each other but also engage in a much broader universe of institutions that are promoting responsible business practices. In addition, the book provides in-depth profiles of the most strategic, effective and long-standing coalitions, including: Business for Social Responsibility; Business in the Community; CSR Europe; Instituto Ethos; International Business Leaders Forum; the UN Global Compact; and the WBCSD.

This book will be required reading for key supporters and...read more...