Research project AP/44 (Research action AP)
1. Context
Numerous academic and non-academic initiatives currently exist in the domain of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). CSR has become a subject of research both in traditional corporate management sciences, as well as in law, sociology, philosophy and political science. Those responsible for this research have created networks that are not always interconnected with each other.
Public authorities are also interested in CSR, not as a policy as such but as a tool allowing them to reach other policy objectives, for instance in areas such as employment, competitiveness, the environment and quality of life. The European Commission has made CSR the “corporate” lever of policies deployed within the framework of the European Strategy for Employment, the Lisbon Strategy, and sustainable development strategies. Regional authorities have made CSR a focal point of their economic development policies.
In Belgium, the three regions have set up different types of policies. On a federal level, CSR is dealt with within the Commission Interdépartementale du Développement Durable (CIDD). It was the subject of a discussion between representatives from different departments but also from federal and regional levels. This discussion led to the elaboration of a CSR reference framework. The action plan published in 2006 falls within this framework. The aim of the present research relates to action no. 10 of the federal action plan in favour of the CSR of February 2007.
2. Research objectives
The research aims to help formulate new public policies in a context where the discussions in progress at the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) have been extended beyond the planned deadline and where, in particular, a series of unknowns remain. We are particularly thinking about the extent of the impact of CSR on various aspects and the methods of rolling out CSR in SME that are less open to this type of approach.
At all levels of policy decision-making, attention is focused on small and medium-sized enterprises as entities that are key to economic development. SME are also far more in symbiosis with local communities. They show signs of CSR practices but they seem to benefit from less visibility than big companies. Furthermore, in certain sectors characterised by relatively complex production chains and especially subcontracting on site, the demands addressed to SME are direct and significant. It is important to refer to a CSR that is not detached from the reality of SME.
Our work will attempt to identify what we know, in order to uncover new research questions that have remained relatively or totally unexplored up until now.
3. Delivery
The work will be sent to the steering committee in a summarised form on a regular basis. The final product will consist of a report approximately eighty pages long, in French (language of the pilot institution). A twenty-four-page summary in English will also be provided. Finally, the appendixes will include all the research elements in their original language (French, Dutch, English + other possible European languages).
