This book explores the interaction between sustainability, corporate responsibility, consumers, and the market. It aims to discover if consumers are seeking out small, ethical, socially responsible firms to buy from rather than large corporations; if markets and organisations are supported by a new sensitivity to social responsibility and sustainability ideas; if the integration of corporate responsibility strategies and practices change how market sectors are assembled. Bringing together international case studies – including research on the Italian wine industry, German butchers, Spanish football, Polish marketing and the Portuguese financial sector – this book is valuable reading for scholars working on corporate social responsibility, sustainability, and good governance. Chapter 12 is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

This open access book discusses the challenges and opportunities faced by companies in an age that increasingly values sustainability and demands corporate responsibility. Beginning with the historical development of corporate responsibility, this book moves from academic theory to practical application. It points to ways in which companies can successfully manage their transition to a more responsible, sustainable way of doing business, common mistakes to avoid and how the UN Sustainable Development Goals are integral to any sustainability transformation. Practical cases illustrate key points. Drawing on thirty years of sustainability research and extensive corporate experience, the author provides tools such as a Step-by-Step strategic guide on integrating sustainability in collaboration with stakeholders including employees, customers, suppliers and investors. The book is particularly relevant for SMEs and companies operating in emerging markets. From a broader perspective, the value of externalities, full cost pricing, alternative economic theories and circular economy are also addressed.

Around the world the focus is on the relationship between ethics and governance codes and how widely this should be interpreted. Sustainability has three main accepted dimensions: economic growth, social responsibility, and environmental protection. It is a truly multidimensional and multidisciplinary concept, and one which directly affects the risks and opportunities for markets and businesses. In three distinct parts, Sustainable Markets for Sustainable Business explores the relationship between markets and business and sustainable development, as well as issues such as climate change, pollution, land degradation and biodiversity loss. Firstly the authors, all experts from around the world, consider a variety of theoretical issues concerned with sustainability in the new environment. In Part Two the emphasis is on looking at these issues in the market and business practice under various guises. Although every chapter contains discussion and recommended solutions, the final part specifically focuses on future perspectives and the solution strategies for implementation of sustainability measures. Throughout the book the authors address the need for business and market sustainability reforms. The world's markets have the potential to improve the lives of billions in developing countries, reducing poverty and securing environmental quality for future generations. Often they fail to capture the full value of natural resources or promote the interests of poor people. Therefore, an effective public policy framework is required. Sustainable Markets for Sustainable Business and future titles in the Finance, Governance and Sustainability Series address this need.

This book addresses the rising concept of 21st century societal marketing which entails that marketers should fulfill the needs of their target group in ways that enhance the well-being of a society as a whole. In the past, social responsibility and corporate ethics may not have been the key elements of corporate and business strategy. However, in the last decade the picture has changed dramatically. Consumers are more concerned about ethical issues and the effects of business activities on the environment and the society. The impact and importance of ethical consumerism is escalating. The consumers are more attentive and expect companies promote their ethical credentials in order to make them more accountable of their actions. This book also reveals how companies should realize that corporate social responsibility (CSR) is not an illustration of corporate altruism but a source of opportunity, and competitive advantage. Finding and following social initiatives as a part of the key business model is proved to be one of the competitive strengths in many instances. This book covers different issues related to ethics, social responsibility and sustainability in marketing and presents different cases and applications from different countries. Together with the best practices, each case and research is expected to shed light on how to improve the role of marketing in helping to the development and well-being of the society.

Corporate activities are not only drivers of economic growth but also key actors of the changes towards more sustainable markets and environment as well as inclusive development. Significant efforts have recently been devoted to transform private and public firms alike from pure economic-oriented organizations to entities that deliberately and diligently create value without neglecting social and environmental implications of their activities. Firm performance, resilience, and survival are nowadays, more than ever before, dependent on how they consciously and purposefully engage in appropriate corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies and actions.This book, Corporate Social Responsibility, Ethics and Sustainable Prosperity, will provide all readers, including investors, managers, lawmakers, and policymakers with an up-to-date, comprehensive, and thoughtful coverage of CSR and ethical issues at the crossroads of different finance and management disciplines. It contains a rich collection of insightful studies covering a wide range of topics in corporate ethics, CSR, and sustainable prosperity. Together, these studies help readers deepen their knowledge on different country environments and various organizational forms, policies, and activities. The book is composed of 16 chapters which are divided into two interconnected parts: Part I addresses ESG and ethical issues in corporate decision-making, while Part II provides insights towards sustainable prosperity.

This is the first in a two volume study of Corporate Social Responsibility and corporate behaviour from around the world, taking in viewpoints from five continents and over ten countries. These case studies present a detailed analysis of best practice in the corporate world in the areas of social ethics and community engagement.

Companies can no longer expect to engage in dubious or unethical corporate behaviour without risking their reputation and damaging, perhaps irrevocably, their market position. Irresponsible corporate behavior not only deprives shareholders of long-term returns but also ultimately imposes a cost on society as a whole. Sustainable business is about ensuring that entities contribute toward positive social, environmental, and economic outcomes. Bad business behaviour is costly for stakeholders, for markets, for society, and the economy alike. To ensure that a company behaves well, the buy-in of the leadership team is crucial. The full commitment of the board of directors, in conjunction with the senior managers of the organization, is required if an organization is to be socially responsible. In this sense, leadership does not reside with an individual (the CEO) within the organization but with all of those at the apex of corporate power and control. Effective change management requires enlightened and capable leadership to instigate and drive the process of embedding a sustainable and socially responsible corporate philosophy and culture that supports good business decision-making. A profound understanding of the requirements of such a leadership process will help corporate managers become highly effective change agents. Governance will be the main driver of this change. For the economy and financial markets to become sustainable and resilient, radical changes in corporate leadership need to take place. Integrated reporting, government regulation, and international standards will all be important factors in bringing about this change. As well as understanding the effects of corporate behavior on financial markets, such an understanding is also now imperative in relation to the social and environmental contexts.