Exploring Corporate Social Responsibility in Global Organisations: Three plus one socially responsible business models
Author
Malmkjær, Rasmus Lyngholm
Term
4. Term
Publication year
2015
Submitted on
2015-06-08
Abstract
This thesis examines why and how global organizations engage in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by comparing different socially responsible business models. Drawing on a literature review of capitalism, organizational structure, legitimacy, and corporate responsibility, it develops assumptions about the creation of social responsibility and translates them into an analytical framework. The framework is applied in a qualitative case study of three plus one cases—Novo Nordisk (both the foundation and the company), Grameen Danone, and TOMS—using a methodological approach that blends objective and subjective perspectives. Findings indicate that multiple factors shape socially responsible organizations, including purpose, structure, and age, with the founder’s personal experiences and goals emerging as a particularly important driver. Whether an organization is for-profit or non-profit and the type of product it offers do not appear to be decisive; more critical are the will to be socially responsible and a business model that deliberately embeds social aims. The thesis contributes a practical framework for analyzing CSR-oriented business models in global organizations and recommends future research using quantitative methods and testing against more established theories to broaden generalizability.
Denne afhandling undersøger, hvorfor og hvordan globale organisationer arbejder med Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) ved at sammenligne forskellige socialt ansvarlige forretningsmodeller. Med udgangspunkt i et litteraturreview af kapitalisme, organisationsstruktur, legitimitet og corporate responsibility udvikles antagelser om, hvad der skaber socialt ansvar, og disse omsættes til en analytisk ramme. Rammen anvendes i et kvalitativt casestudie af tre plus én cases—Novo Nordisk (både fond og virksomhed), Grameen Danone og TOMS—med en metodisk tilgang, der kombinerer objektive og subjektive perspektiver. Fundene peger på, at flere forhold kan påvirke udviklingen af en socialt ansvarlig organisation, herunder formål, struktur og alder, men at stifterens personlige erfaring og mål fremstår som en særlig drivkraft. Om virksomheden er for-profit eller non-profit og hvilket produkt den sælger, synes derimod ikke at være afgørende; vigtigere er viljen til at være socialt ansvarlig og en forretningsmodel, der aktivt integrerer sociale mål. Afhandlingen bidrager med en praktisk ramme til at analysere CSR-orienterede forretningsmodeller i globale organisationer og anbefaler, at fremtidige studier anvender kvantitative metoder og afprøver rammen op imod mere etablerede teorier for at udvide generaliserbarheden.
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