University of Vaasa - Vaasan yliopisto

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to be too little decisional as well as often only applied on an ad-hoc basis. In both
fields models and concepts were outlined leading the way for CSR reporting and
stakeholder dialogue to contribute to CSR-for-SD. In the last section the proposed
approach for participatory evaluation of CSR was presented, showing why evaluation
is a suitable approach to assess CSR-for-SD efforts, why especially participatory
evaluation is needed to be applied and finally, on which cornerstones such a
participatory evaluation of CSR is built on. Participatory evaluation of CSR
integrates CSR reporting as well as stakeholder dialogue into a learning oriented
formative evaluation process. It is designed as an ongoing, accompanying research
process which comprises defining, planning, implementing and evaluating CSR
activities. It successfully deals with the complexity and contextuality of CSR and
facilitates the development of trust, collective action and mutual responsibility
among all actors, and – thus – is a clear task of responsible leadership.
However, the proposed approach is exploratory and still needs empirical and applied
research to be conducted to investigate its challenges and opportunities in practical
implementation. Of the potential barriers and challenges already outlined two of the
most crucial factors to be studied probably are under which conditions companies
would be willing to join such a process and how ongoing stakeholder participation
can be maintained.