1st Edition
Sustainable Development and Corporate Social Responsibility
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become an important concept in the last few decades. Although it originated in the developed countries of the West, the concept has been embraced and adapted by corporations and policy-making agencies in many developing countries. Not surprisingly, given the importance of growth and development as policy objectives in these countries, CSR has had a significant impact on sustainable development.
Sustainable Development and Corporate Social Responsibility explores the evolution of CSR across the developed and developing world, with a particular focus on China and sustainable development. Through an extensive review of the literature and relevant case studies, the book examines whether CSR can make a contribution to sustainable development, how the patterns of CSR in developed Western economies compare to that in the rapidly growing economy of China, what trade-offs take place between CSR and economic growth as well as the future of CSR and its possible impact on the global sustainable development agenda.
This book is a valuable resource for academics and upper-level undergraduate and postgraduate students in the fields of human/social geography, economics, business studies, sustainable development, development studies and environmental studies.
Chapter 1. Introduction: Corporate Social Responsibility in context
Chapter 2. Overview of Corporate Social Responsibility
Chapter 3. Corporate Social Responsibility and sustainable development
Chapter 4. Drivers for Corporate Social Responsibility
Chapter 5. Exploring Corporate Social Responsibility
Chapter 6. Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development in China
Chapter 7. Concluding marks
Biography
Dongyong Zhang is Associate Professor of Sustainable Development at Henan Agricultural University, China.
Stephen Morse is Chair in Systems Analysis for Sustainability at the Centre for Environmental Strategy at the University of Surrey, UK.
Uma Kambhampati is Professor of Economics at the University of Reading, UK.
‘If you ever wondered how the world of corporate social responsibility and sustainability was changing given the growing influence of China and other emerging economies, then this is the book for you. It examines how countries such as China are increasingly changing the shape of corporate responses to sustainability. In an interesting look into the future, the book explores the issues that will shape social responsibility over the coming decades.’ -- Richard Welford, Chairman of CSR Asia
‘This book takes us back to the origin of corporate social responsibility and its role in sustainable development from a global perspective and with a special focus on China. It explores how businesses contribute to sustainable development and what the future trends are like. With China becoming increasingly influential in global economy and sustainable development agenda, this book is certainly a must-read for anyone who thinks deeply about the future of global sustainability.’ -- Hongwu Zhong, Director of CSR Research Center, Chinese Academy of Social Science
