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From Implicit to Explicit CSR in a Scandinavian Context: The Cases of HÅG and Hydro

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  • Siri Carson
  • Øivind Hagen
  • S. Sethi

Abstract

The aim of this article is to explain the transition from implicit CSR to explicit CSR that has taken place in Scandinavia over the last two decades. Matten and Moon’s (Academy of Management Review, 33:404–424, 2008 ) distinction between implicit and explicit CSR is the point of departure for the analysis, which is based on case studies of two Norwegian companies: HÅG and Hydro. On the basis of these case studies, we identify two forces that are pushing the transition from implicit to explicit CSR in Scandinavia: (1) Organizational expressiveness and (2) Re-legitimizing. Both of these measures are adjustments to the globalization of the economy, altering the competitive situation even in highly institutionalized, Scandinavian economies. HÅG, a midsized Norwegian manufacturer of office chairs, made CSR and environmental values an integral part of their expressive strategy in the early 1990s. Hydro, a big Norwegian aluminium producer, made CSR an explicit issue around the turn of the millennium, in an attempt to re-legitimize their business operations in a new market situation where plants in local communities in Norway were shut down and relocated to less regulated regimes in low-cost regions abroad. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Siri Carson & Øivind Hagen & S. Sethi, 2015. "From Implicit to Explicit CSR in a Scandinavian Context: The Cases of HÅG and Hydro," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 127(1), pages 17-31, March.
  • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:127:y:2015:i:1:p:17-31
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-013-1791-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Isabelle Maignan & David A Ralston, 2002. "Corporate Social Responsibility in Europe and the U.S.: Insights from Businesses' Self-presentations," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 33(3), pages 497-514, September.
    2. Stefan Tengblad & Claes Ohlsson, 2010. "The Framing of Corporate Social Responsibility and the Globalization of National Business Systems: A Longitudinal Case Study," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 93(4), pages 653-669, June.
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    4. Oivind Hagen, 2008. "Driving environmental innovation with corporate storytelling: is radical innovation possible without incoherence?," International Journal of Innovation and Sustainable Development, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 3(3/4), pages 217-233.
    5. Robert Strand, 2013. "The Chief Officer of Corporate Social Responsibility: A Study of Its Presence in Top Management Teams," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 112(4), pages 721-734, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hildegunn Mellesmo Aslaksen & Clare Hildebrandt & Hans Chr. Garmann Johnsen, 2021. "The long-term transformation of the concept of CSR: towards a more comprehensive emphasis on sustainability," International Journal of Corporate Social Responsibility, Springer, vol. 6(1), pages 1-14, December.
    2. Manuel Castelo Branco & Catarina Delgado & Carla Marques, 2018. "How do sustainability reports from the Nordic and the Mediterranean European countries compare," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 12(4), pages 917-936, October.
    3. Arild Wæraas, 2020. "They Put Themselves Out There: A Longitudinal Study of Organizational Expressiveness," Corporate Reputation Review, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 23(4), pages 267-279, November.
    4. Céline Louche & Lotte Staelens & Marijke D’Haese, 2020. "When Workplace Unionism in Global Value Chains Does Not Function Well: Exploring the Impediments," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 162(2), pages 379-398, March.
    5. François Maon & Valérie Swaen & Adam Lindgreen, 2017. "One Vision, Different Paths: An Investigation of Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives in Europe," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 143(2), pages 405-422, June.
    6. Lily Hsueh, 2019. "Opening up the firm: What explains participation and effort in voluntary carbon disclosure by global businesses? An analysis of internal firm factors and dynamics," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(7), pages 1302-1322, November.
    7. Linda Jansen & Peggy Cunningham & Sandra Diehl & Ralf Terlutter, 2024. "Corporate social responsibility in controversial industries: A literature review and research agenda," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(5), pages 4398-4427, September.
    8. Imhanrenialena Benedict Ogbemudia & Ebhotemhen Wilson & Apreala Solomon Ebiladei & Chukwu Benjamin Ibe & Moguluwa Shedrach Chinwuba & Ilo Sylvester Okechukwu, 2022. "The Evolving Strategic CSR Practices in Africa: Exploring the Multidimensional Implications for Telecommunication Firms’ Outcomes in Nigeria," SAGE Open, , vol. 12(2), pages 21582440221, April.

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