| Abstrakt: |
The major challenge of the study was to find out the meaning and value of corporate social responsibility (CSR) of Finnish global companies in a global operational environment and how companies seek to achieve their targets. Case study research was chosen as a research strategy as this has been shown to be a relevant method in the investigation of a contemporary phenomenon. The data were collected by interviewing (in 2002) seven CSR directors/coordinators of seven Finnish global companies and additionally the director of the organisation Finnish Business & Society. The study suggests that the prominent driving force behind corporate social responsibility is companies' long-term profitability supported by company leadership and efficiency, competitiveness, and the ability to anticipate the future. The long evolution of Finnish companies since the 18th century creates fruitful ground for responsibility. There proved to be no significant moral or ethical guidance but for the most part the thinking was business-oriented. The management and the organisation of CSR areas appeared to be professional and efficient. The position of CSR was found to be optimal at the highest level of the organisations, and the commitment of the top management's unquestionable. The present status of CSR seemed to exist more at a principle and theoretical than practical level. Implementation was found to be a major challenge for the future. The jungle of standards and measurements forms a relevant problem. Communication was not integrated into CSR, and there seemed to be no strategies for CSR communication. ..PAT.-Unpublished Manuscript [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
