What is Corporate Social Responsibility? - InnoTrain CSR

Fields of action of CSR
5.4. CSR in community structures – from the perspective of
companies
In short
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in community structures describes
companies as actors in a community with the social responsibility of a
"corporate citizen" resulting from the circumstances at the domicile of the
company. In addition to donations and sponsoring, companies become active
in community structures, thus contributing to specific problem resolutions –
including increasingly with non-financial resources and skills. Especially when
it concerns strategic partnerships between companies and (local)
stakeholders, CSR in community structures is associated with the challenge
and opportunity to motivate different actors within a community to crossborder
joint actions designed at resolving problems.
Learning targets
� Recognise motifs and fields of action for corporate involvement on location
and be able to justify them
CSR learning contents
The immediate surroundings of the company's domicile represent the starting point
for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in community structures. The CSR field of
action concerning community structures comprises any possibilities to become
engaged as "corporate citizens" in the community and is often used synonymous with
Corporate Citizenship in the practice and the literature. Virtually all companies are
familiar with donations and sponsoring as they have become traditional fields of
action used to support local non-profit organisations and initiatives beyond the actual
business activity. However, companies can also invest non-financial resources into
community structures and release employees from work to pursue charitable
activities or develop customised programmes and partnerships designed to utilise
own skills for charitable purposes. CSR in community structures is intended to create
a benefit for the company, while at the same time having a positive impact on the
corporate development thanks to the targeted strategic use.
Traditionally many medium-sized enterprises are well aware that they rely on a
location that is functional and livable in every respect. Only an intact environment
allows the establishment of solid and sustainable relationships with customers and
The project "InnoTrain CSR" is organized by GILDE GmbH and has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the
views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. 12/2010
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InnoTrain CSR
www.csr-training.eu