A Few Introductory Remarks: Corporate Social Responsibility and the Mineral Resource Industry St-Andrews – Dundee Workshop 26 September 2008 A Few Introductory Remarks: Ambitions and rules of engagement The personal element of comment The extant CSR literature Towards critique? Systems and sustainability Relationships and accountability 07/12/2018 CSEAR

07/12/2018 CSEAR

Preamble Rules of engagement? Despite the literature – CSR remains open question Recognise importance of debating CSR voluminous literature vast and unsubstantiated claims by corporations Pursue critique: no moral high ground; watch cliches The personal bit accountant; systems; relationships; accountability; personal voyages through the literature terribly slippy and no closure parochial? business schools and `warranty’ why uncritically pro-business? Intellectual freedom? 07/12/2018 CSEAR

Who says what…? “A corporate executive .. Has a direct responsibility .. To conduct the business .. To make as much money as possible while conforming to the basic rules of society…” Friedman M. (1970) “Philanthropy does little or nothing to help companies make profits, while all CSR activities are linked to improving a company's bottom line.” MHCi Monthly Feature (pdf/e-journal) April 2004 (p2) Social Responsibility “is a concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interactions with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis. Being socially responsible means not only fulfilling legal expectations, but also going beyond compliance and investing “more” into human capital, the environment and relations with stakeholders” Commission of European Communities (2001) 07/12/2018 CSEAR

A brief (!) review of extant literature 40 years of effort: Inconclusive Circular Frederick: CSR 1, 2, 3 CSR 4: Rhetoric? Recent paper claims otherwise Review 3 models all use Economics, Legal, Ethical and Philanthropy 07/12/2018 CSEAR

Some of the remaining issues… Organisation as moral agent corporation as individual, judged as a person? Individual responsibility within organisations difference between individuals and individuals Economics Changes relationships (helping old ladies for money) Financial markets Reduces discretion; usually ignore in literature Evidence: “it pays to be good” Very powerful; probably tautological 07/12/2018 CSEAR

Towards critique? Systemic Issues? Doing well that which we shouldn’t be doing at all (Lowe and McInnes) Presuppositions in debate: e.g. is extant activity taken for granted? Capitalism Friedman’s views + influence on “rules”? Can capitalism deliver “responsibility”? Size + Growth distance/closeness of ownership, control, responsibility ubiquity in international markets dominance of neo-liberal values in LDCs and elsewhere Sustainability 07/12/2018 CSEAR

Responsible Sustainability? “The performance of companies implementing sustainability principles is superior because sustainability is a catalyst for enlightened and disciplined management...” Dow Jones Sustainability Group Indexes Report Quarterly 3/9 “Sustainability pays off…..Companies favouring the concept of sustainability outperform the broad market” Oberndorfer (WBCSD), 2004: cover and p3 “all CSR activities are linked to improving a company's bottom line.” MHCi MONTHLY FEATURE (pdf/e-journal) April 2004 (p. 2) “By working sustainably, we can increase financial capital. Sustainable development aims to improve the quality of life for everyone. ……” United Utilities, 2004, pp 1+ 3 07/12/2018 CSEAR

Relationships and Accountability Systems view of the world individual – organisation – organisation – society- environment- planet – etc Responsibility = a function of society’s expectations ≠ a function of what corporation would lie it to be Accountability an accounting of responsibility of extent to which expectations are met Parkinson: 07/12/2018 CSEAR

Money Talks 07/12/2018 CSEAR