colleges & corporate social responsibility opportunity or irrelevance? an fe focused workshop

Sustainability Insight

Sustainability InsightEdinburgh Tel: 0131 476 3020 Peebles Tel: 0189 683 3113 www.sustainabilityinsight.co.uk

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Colleges & Corporate Social Responsibility

Opportunity or Irrelevance?

An FE focused workshop

Malcolm McRobert

1st April 2009





Workshop Structure:

□ Workshop exercise 1

Brief introduction to/discussion of CSR.


Investigation of CSR Language and Structure for the FE sector.


Discussion of the risks and benefits of engagement in CSR.





Corporate Social Responsibility

“fatuous drivel created by conmen for idiots”





“CSR is about businesses and other organisations going beyond the legal obligations to manage the impact they have on the environment and society. In particular, this could include how organisations interact with their employees, suppliers, customers and the communities in which they operate, as well as

the extent they attempt to protect the environment” The Institute of Directors, UK

“CSR is the acknowledgement by companies that they should be accountable not only for their financial performance, but for the impact of their activities on

society and/or the environment.” CBI, UK

Weak , uninspiring & incomplete





CSR (Organisational impact) Structure

Environment

Community

Marketplace

Workplace





Appropriately managing an organisation's impacts on society and the environment

How organisations manage their operational processes to consistently produce both profit and an overall positive impact on society

The positive management of all organisational relationships

How organisations deliver, and by their actions communicate, their vision and values

“the control and management of the effects and impacts of organisational choices and actions”






Define CSR

(What it can be, what it could deliver)





What do we call it?

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Corporate Responsibility

Corporate Citizenship

Responsible Business Practice

Sustainable Development

Corporate Sustainability /Organisational Sustainability /Institutional Sustainability





How do we talk about it?

“Achieving strategic control of Organisational Sustainability”

“Leading the development of the University Ethos”

“Leadership, choices and excellence not control”

“The organisation must communicate the reasons (motivations) that are appropriate”

“delivering relevant messages to different audiences ”






i. Examine the language of CSR

ii. Determine appropriate terms for the FE sector





Strong CSR/CR initiatives, strategies or commitments must be designed to deliver benefits or gain advantages in the following areas:

Improved Financial Performance Reduced Operating Costs Enhanced Brand Image / Corporate Reputation Increased Sales and Customer Loyalty Increased Productivity and Quality Increased Ability to Attract and Retain Employees Reduced Regulatory Oversight Access to Capital.






Identify the risks and benefits of engagement in CSR.

colleges & corporate social responsibility opportunity or irrelevance? an fe focused workshop

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