To what extent can the CSR Framework be adapted to suit BS 8900?

The growing global interest in corporate responsibility (CR) and the pressure felt by organisations to demonstrate commitment to CR has led to demands for guidelines to help companies shape CR in a measurable and consistent way. In recent years a number of models and guidance documents have been produced; however companies are still struggling to understand how to approach CR and integrate it into their organisation. Many authors have noted the link between Quality Management Systems and CR and a model was developed by Castka et al (2004) which combined the systems used in ISO 9001 with the requirements of a CR process. Their CSR Framework however does not link to any accredited standards and lacks practical steps. This study takes the underlying basis of The CSR Framework and combines it with the guidance found in the British Standard for Sustainability, the BS 8900, to create a model for CR integration. Through qualitative case study research of four organisations, the benefits and development areas of this model are discussed in relation to the CR needs of the organisations concerned and the practicalities of using a model to shape the integration of CR.

Autorentext

Kelly is a Marketing and Communications Manager with a specialism in corporate responsibility. As part of her Masters in Business Administration she pursued corporate responsibility as a topic for the dissertation, finding its integration into normal business practice to be a key issue for organisations.