This book claims that CSR is the Tao of sustainable enterprise development. It examines the intersection of practical wisdom of Taoism, CSR and Sustainability, looking at the theoretical and historical implications associated with a Taoist approach to CSR, sustainability and responsible leadership. Implications for sustainable enterprise development will be presented. The book analyzes perspectives found in Taoist classical texts and within the larger Chinese cultural context in order to delineate key issues found in the classical texts. Through these analyses, the book assesses the applicability of modern-day Taoism thought and practice in China and the West with respect to the contemporary sustainability situation. The book also explores the values, ideas and practices Taoism offers to inspire a new generation of leaders, and particularly business leaders to manage companies in a more social and sustainable way.

In a dramatic departure from its voluntary origins, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is rapidly shifting to hold multinational companies accountable for more than traditional shareholder performance. This CSR movement is embracing new environmental, social and governance (ESG) frameworks that both promote global sustainability goals and enhance accountability for negative impacts businesses can have on ‘planet and people’. This collection of essays by leading businesspeople, international civil servants, legal practitioners, academics, and other experts offers a forward-looking and pragmatic perspective that illuminates the major themes in this movement towards increasingly sustainable, transparent and accountable business practices. The collection shows how CSR has evolved to account for societal pressures, environmental, climate change and human rights impacts, international policy imperatives and the practical challenges of regulating commercial activity that transcends borders. The chapters offer an in-depth examination of current issues including: international frameworks and multistakeholder initiatives catalysing foundational change; the shifting emphasis on corporate imperatives to avoid harm to third parties; trends in CSR, focused on assuring the planet's future sustainability and social stability; regulatory initiatives around the globe, including Europe, North America, Asia and Africa; and extended accountability for activities of corporate group members and supply chains. The pressure and business case for companies to incorporate CSR into corporate governance is intensifying with each quarter, shareholder meeting, and regulatory agenda. The integration of CSR and new ESG frameworks into multinational corporate strategy and operations is key to sustainable business models that can generate long-term value for the organization and all stakeholders. Their acceptance as cornerstones of 21st century business practice appears inevitable. Taking full account of the imperative for companies and their lawyers to grapple with the practical and legal challenges in this area, this volume is an invaluable and pragmatic addition to the practitioners’ toolbox at this important juncture in an ever-more dynamic field.

This book critically analyzes the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in achieving sustainable development in emerging economies. It brings together recent developments, effective frameworks, business models, and strategies adopted by companies and looks at how they contribute to sustainable business growth. The volume discusses diverse themes such as green marketing for promoting sustainable development; digitization and sustainability concerns; communication strategies for CSR; ethical standards in Indian advertising; microfinance as an instrument for achieving sustainable development; the role of CSR in the Skill India initiative; and CSR activities of Indian listed companies. It also provides solutions to challenges in achieving sustainable development goals at local and global levels. Drawing on in-depth case studies, the book will be an essential read for corporate professionals, students, and researchers of CSR, management studies, development studies, business studies, economics, environmental studies, green marketing, and sociology. It will also be relevant for policy makers, NGOs, public and private sector corporations, and consultants in sustainability reporting, business ethics, and sustainable development.

This timely Companion analyses how corporate social responsibility (CSR) can accelerate the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Global experts from a wide range of disciplines develop a flexible, diverse, and reconstructed form of CSR and illustrate how it can help build an inclusive and sustainable future.

This open access book discusses the challenges and opportunities faced by companies in an age that increasingly values sustainability and demands corporate responsibility. Beginning with the historical development of corporate responsibility, this book moves from academic theory to practical application. It points to ways in which companies can successfully manage their transition to a more responsible, sustainable way of doing business, common mistakes to avoid and how the UN Sustainable Development Goals are integral to any sustainability transformation. Practical cases illustrate key points. Drawing on thirty years of sustainability research and extensive corporate experience, the author provides tools such as a Step-by-Step strategic guide on integrating sustainability in collaboration with stakeholders including employees, customers, suppliers and investors. The book is particularly relevant for SMEs and companies operating in emerging markets. From a broader perspective, the value of externalities, full cost pricing, alternative economic theories and circular economy are also addressed.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shocked every part of society. The rise of businesses to the important task of improving sustainability and responsibility has been interrupted by the stress of the pandemic. In its wake, organizational leaders must reassess the best strategies considering the changes made by the “new normal.” The Handbook of Research on Changing Dynamics in Responsible and Sustainable Business in the Post-COVID-19 Era provides valuable insight of the significant changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of defining, characterizing, presenting, and understanding the meaning, challenges, and implications of responsible and sustainable business. Covering topics such as consumerism, supply chain management, and sustainable organizational performance, this major reference work is an excellent resource for academicians, scientists, researchers, students, business specialists, business leaders, consultants, government institutions, and policymakers.

This volume aims to explore project management contributions to sustainable business change based on renewability, reuse, and repair as well as the effect of circular economy business solutions on project management in terms of the management approach, governance, and leadership. The main aim of integrating project management with a circular business paradigm is not only to learn how project management can contribute to achieving circular economy principles, but also to understand the impact of business needs on project management. By understanding these needs, recommendations can be developed and promoted among different stakeholders such as governments, financial institutions, and education institutions with the goal of supporting and assisting project management to drive sustainable business change. This approach will enable readers to assess how project management professions can support a shift toward sustainable business. The primary audience of this work is management scholars, educators, researchers, and students. Scholars, government representatives, financial institutions, management educators, start-up companies, innovative entrepreneurs, and all others who use the circular economy to support sustainable development can also find much of use in this book.

The developments in our environment and society has made it clear that the way we run our businesses and govern our nations is not sustainable in the long run. This is also why more and more companies and organizations are pursuing sustainable business through various Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities. However, many companies experience that although they facilitate a CSR strategy on corporate level, CSR is often not embedded in their business and/or integrated across their functions. If companies are to achieve the full business potential and performance impact of CSR, sustainability has to be operationalized, targeted and measured across the value chain through empowered employees and in alignment with the business strategy of the company. Though state-of-the-art CSR research, theories and models, the theoretical platform for sustainable business and CSR is presented in this book. However, CSR is carried out in practice, and not just in theory. This is why each chapter is supplemented with practical case examples explaining the way in which different companies and their managers have integrated sustainable business in their strategy and across the organizations’ different functions. As is evident both in theory and practice, the success of CSR integration is highly affected by industrial context, as the unique characteristics of the industry have an impact on the key sustainability challenges and business opportunities of the specific company and industry. In support of this evidence, the book also reveals how CSR can be implemented across private and public organizations as well as small & medium sized entities (SMEs).

In an increasingly changing and complex environment, sustainable development, corporate social responsibility, effective knowledge management, and intellectual assets represent the basis of today’s innovations and therefore the new ways for organizations to compete in the marketplace. In this regard, organizations need to incorporate a sustainable approach to their operations because there is a growing awareness of environmental issues among customers. They are faced with increasingly stringent environmental regulations, and the development of sustainable practices can lead to sustainable competitive advantages over time. Intellectual Capital as a Precursor to Sustainable Corporate Social Responsibility provides a body of research that explores the theoretical and practical aspects of linking corporate profitability, intangible assets, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability with respect to business management practices. Covering topics such as green intellectual capital, ecology of organizations, and green knowledge, this premier reference work is an essential resource for business practitioners, small business owners, entrepreneurs, students and educators of higher education, librarians, researchers, and academicians.

This book is a printed edition of the Special Issue "Sustainable Business Models" that was published in Sustainability