Description
Book SynopsisThis book examines corporate social responsibility reporting systems. Corporate social responsibility or CSR is the idea that corporations should act ethically, with a sense of obligation to society beyond financial return. We focus on the main ways that corporations report CSR at the global level. We find that the main reporting systems, whether administered through the UN through The Global Compact, or through the various financial reporting systems such as Bloomberg, are fundamentally flawed. In fact, it would be very hard for an ethical investor or consumer to find adequate and accurate information. The book closes with suggestions on how to reform the CSR information system so that corporations can be held accountable and incentivized to do the right thing.
Trade Review“A careful reading of this book demonstrates clarity, breadth, and depth of analysis of the vital concept of CSR reporting. Anil Hira masterfully documents how CSR reporting schemes are incomplete, unaccountable, and produce questionable effects on corporate behavior. I enthusiastically recommend this book for both academics and practitioners.” —Dr. Archie B. Carroll, Professor Emeritus of Management, Terry College of Business, University of Georgia, USA.
“Through an extensive combing of databases and case studies, Anil Hira spells out in detail how voluntary reporting and CSR initiatives have failed to provide accurate information on firms’ practices. He makes a convincing case that only credible—and publicly available—data can change the incentives facing corporate decision-makers and investors.” —Sandra Polaski, Senior Research Fellow, Boston University Global Development Policy Center, USA.
“Making an ethically informed case for greater transparency and accountability, this erudite study presents a comprehensive and critical appraisal of global corporate social responsibility reporting. Of particular interest is Hira’s insightful exploration of the complex nexus of global governance, human rights, and CSR. Transdisciplinary in scope, this excellent book deserves a broad audience.” —Professor Manfred B. Steger, University of Hawai’i and author of Globalization: A Short Introduction (Oxford University Press, 2023).
“This book is a refreshing critique of corporate social responsibility (CSR) that exposes its various shortcomings. It also offers a compelling argument for how standardization and accountability can help improve the effectiveness of CSR. This is a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate on how businesses can make a positive impact on society.” —Dr. Kerem Öge, Teaching Fellow in Climate Change and Public Policy, University of Warwick, UK.
"Anil Hira does a great job at highlighting the fundamental limitations of the present CSR reporting system. Investigating numerous instances of serious human rights violations, the analysis convincingly demonstrates the lack of accountability provided by CSR and the absence of discernible effects on actual corporate behavior or socially responsible investment. Importantly, Hira does not stop at this analysis of CSR’s shortcomings, but develops actionable proposals for reform based on the power of information and transparency."—Professor Doris Fuchs, University of Münster, Germany.
Table of ContentsList of Figures and Tables; Acknowledgments; Introduction: Overview of the Book and Theoretical Concepts; 1. Corporate Social Responsibility: A Good Deed in Name; 2. The Shell Game of Global CSR Reporting; 3. Socially Responsible Investment Reporting: A Lucrative and Growing Business; 4. How Human Rights Violations Are Systematically Downplayed in SRI Systems; 5. Conclusion; References; Appendix A; Index
