Video Purpose
To introduce corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs and demonstrate research methods for analyzing them.
Key Takeaways
- CSR programs are multifaceted, covering economic, legal, ethical, and philanthropic responsibilities
- Sustainability is a central theme in modern CSR initiatives, often intertwined with ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) reporting
- Numerous resources exist for researching CSR, including academic papers, international standards (e.g., ISO 26000), and company reports
- Analysis of a company's CSR efforts should include examining their annual reports, sustainability reports, and associated charitable foundations
CSR Research Resources
- Free research papers available on platforms like Social Science Research Network (SSRN)
- Wikipedia provides general information on CSR and related concepts (e.g., ESG)
- International standards and frameworks:
- Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)
- ISO 26000 for social responsibility
- UN Global Compact and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Corporate Governance Institute offers professional certifications
- Boston College's guide on "How to Read a Corporate Social Responsibility Report"
CSR Frameworks and Models
- CSR Pyramid: economic, legal, ethical, and philanthropic responsibilities
- Stakeholder model: internal (employees, managers, owners) vs. external (suppliers, customers, government)
- Triple Bottom Line: people, planet, and profit
- Sustainability focus: increasingly central to CSR initiatives
Company-Specific CSR Analysis
- Examine company websites for dedicated CSR or sustainability pages
- Review annual reports (10-K filings) for mentions of sustainability and CSR initiatives
- Analyze separate CSR or impact reports if available (e.g., IBM's 2023 Impact Report)
- Investigate associated charitable foundations:
- Use GuideStar to access financial information (Form 990-PF for private foundations)
- Examine grant distributions and financial trends
Charitable Organization Resources
- GuideStar: comprehensive database of nonprofit information
- Charity Navigator: provides ratings and financial data on charities
- GiveWell: focuses on most effective charities for saving lives
- Charity Watch and BBB's Give.org: additional watchdog organizations
Private Foundations
- Unique type of 501(c)(3) organization with specific tax requirements
- Required to distribute a certain amount annually to avoid excise taxes
- Subject to special taxes on investment income and excess business holdings
Next Steps
- Develop a structured approach to researching company CSR programs using the resources provided
- When analyzing a company, examine both their public-facing CSR information and their financial/tax filings
- Consider the broader context of a company's industry when evaluating their CSR initiatives
- For those interested in starting a nonprofit, thoroughly research compliance requirements and consider joining an existing organization first