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Terminology Matters: A Critical Exploration of Corporate Social Responsibility Terms

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  • Denise Baden
  • Ian Harwood

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the importance and impact of terminology used to describe corporate social responsibility (CSR). Through a review of key literature and concepts, we uncover how the economic business case has become the dominant driver behind CSR action. With reference to the literature on semiotics, connotative meaning and social marketing we explore how the terminology itself may have facilitated this co-opting of an ethical concept by economic interests. The broader issue of moral muteness and its relation to ethical behaviour is considered. We conclude by proposing a number of important attributes for any proposed terminology relating to ethical/socially responsible/sustainable business. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2013

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  • Denise Baden & Ian Harwood, 2013. "Terminology Matters: A Critical Exploration of Corporate Social Responsibility Terms," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 116(3), pages 615-627, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:116:y:2013:i:3:p:615-627
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-012-1498-9
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    Cited by:

    1. Sudipta Bose & Amitav Saha & Indra Abeysekera, 2020. "The Value Relevance of Corporate Social Responsibility Expenditure: Evidence from Regulatory Decisions," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 56(4), pages 455-494, December.
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    4. Denise Baden, 2016. "A reconstruction of Carroll’s pyramid of corporate social responsibility for the 21st century," International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility, Springer, vol. 1(1), pages 1-15, December.
    5. Benjamin S. Thompson, 2019. "Payments for ecosystem services and corporate social responsibility: Perspectives on sustainable production, stakeholder relations, and philanthropy in Thailand," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(4), pages 497-511, May.
    6. Onyeka K. Osuji & Ugochukwu L. Obibuaku, 2016. "Rights and Corporate Social Responsibility: Competing or Complementary Approaches to Poverty Reduction and Socioeconomic Rights?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 136(2), pages 329-347, June.
    7. Rajat Panwar & Erlend Nybakk & Eric Hansen & Jonatan Pinkse, 2017. "Does the Business Case Matter? The Effect of a Perceived Business Case on Small Firms’ Social Engagement," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 144(3), pages 597-608, September.
    8. Yves Fassin & Andrea Werner & Annick van Rossem & Silvana Signori & Elisabeth Garriga & Heidi von Weltzien Hoivik & Hans-Jörg Schlierer, 2015. "CSR and Related Terms in SME Owner–Managers' Mental Models in Six European Countries : National Context Matters," Post-Print hal-02313143, HAL.
    9. Sergiy D. Dmytriyev & R. Edward Freeman & Jacob Hörisch, 2021. "The Relationship between Stakeholder Theory and Corporate Social Responsibility: Differences, Similarities, and Implications for Social Issues in Management," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(6), pages 1441-1470, September.
    10. Diana-Maria Tînjalã & Alexandru Buglea, 2015. "Key Sustainability Metrics For Labour Practices – A Comparative Evolution Of Freedom Of Association And Of Non-Discrimination In Emerging/Frontier And Developed Markets," GUT FME Conference Publications, in: Katarzyna Stankiewicz (ed.),Contemporary Issues and Challenges in Human Resource Management, chapter 2, pages 18-31, Faculty of Management and Economics, Gdansk University of Technology.
    11. Carlos Ferro-Soto & Luz Amparo Macías-Quintana & Paula Vázquez-Rodríguez, 2018. "Effect of Stakeholders-Oriented Behavior on the Performance of Sustainable Business," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-27, December.
    12. Junaid Aftab & Nabila Abid & Huma Sarwar & Anam Amin & Mahsa Abedini & Monica Veneziani, 2024. "Does corporate social responsibility drive financial performance? Exploring the significance of green innovation, green dynamic capabilities, and perceived environmental volatility," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(3), pages 1634-1653, May.
    13. Park, Kathleen Marshall & Meglio, Olimpia & Schriber, Svante, 2019. "Building a global corporate social responsibility program via mergers and acquisitions: A managerial framework," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 62(3), pages 395-407.
    14. Achi, Awele & Adeola, Ogechi & Achi, Francis Chukwuedo, 2022. "CSR and green process innovation as antecedents of micro, small, and medium enterprise performance: Moderating role of perceived environmental volatility," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 771-781.
    15. Carola Hillenbrand & Kevin Guy Money & Chris Brooks & Nicole Tovstiga, 2019. "Corporate Tax: What Do Stakeholders Expect?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 158(2), pages 403-426, August.
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    17. Jean-Marie Courrent & Sonia Chassé & Waleed Omri, 2018. "Do Entrepreneurial SMEs Perform Better Because They are More Responsible?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 153(2), pages 317-336, December.
    18. David Ralston & Carolyn Egri & Charlotte Karam & Irina Naoumova & Narasimhan Srinivasan & Tania Casado & Yongjuan Li & Ruth Alas, 2015. "The triple-bottom-line of corporate responsibility: Assessing the attitudes of present and future business professionals across the BRICs," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 32(1), pages 145-179, March.
    19. Clare Jane M. Burns & Luke Houghton & Heather Stewart, 2020. "Sustainability – A key to Australian finance directors improving their organisation's CSR culture," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(2), pages 1164-1176, March.

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