University of Vaasa - Vaasan yliopisto

Approach
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The discussion in this paper is based on findings gathered through a document
review (including web blogs) and semi structured interviews of key informants. The
approach is designed to give an initial view of the situation and is aimed to develop a
platform for extended discussion and further research rather than to provide any
definitive ‘answers’. This preliminary stance is largely due to the context within
which the research takes place, i.e. the relatively short history of the current
recession; therefore it is not possible, or desirable, to collate data from a wider
evidence base.
Document Review
Documents have been reviewed from a number of sources including the popular and
business press, corporate websites, think tanks and web blogs.
Specific publications from with the popular business press were been selected in this
research because, as a body of literature, it provides a good ‘feel’ for the mood of the
business sector. With this in mind, a number of opinion pieces and factual articles
were seen as valid in this context.
The following publications were consulted, for the period between June 2008 and
August 2009.
� Business Week
� The Economist
� Financial Times
� Ethical Corporation
� Accountancy Age
Other publications from the wider media have included:
� Guardian
� The Telegraph
And finally articles, sound bites and web blogs from specific business/CSR
organisations have been reviewed;
� Ethical Trading Initiative
� Business and the Community
� CEIS
� Ethical Corporation
� Force for Good
Publications and specific pieces were selected based on searches using the relevant
key terms; recession, CSR (and associated terms), sustainability and business.