6 CORPORATE STRATEGIES TO IMPLEMENT CSR 6.1 Context A number of variables affect the strategy that a given company chooses to implement its CSR, including its structure, size, culture and business strategy. CSR strategies might also be affected by how close they are to the core business or the proximity that it demands from the community that has been affected. Defining the appropriate strategy for CSR is one of the roles that can be played by the designer since he/she can have the...

1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Background Most design activities are an attempt to improve the world that we live and sustainability has expanded the alternatives for design contribution for a better world by challenging the very nature of design activity. From being part of the problem design now has been asked to be part of the solution. In this sense the present report explores how design can contribute to the social dimension of sustainability within a corporate setting. It also shows that social...

4 DRIVERS/BARRIERS FOR CSR In order to allow a designer to understand his/her role within a CSR initiative it is important he/she understand the various motivations that could drive a business (and a businessman) to invest company assets into social responsibilities. It is important to call attention to the fact that these CSR drivers could also be understood as barriers for CSR on those situations when they are absent. Hence, the focus of the designer on his/her creative process would...

2 CSR BENEFITS FOR THE COMPANY 2.1 Increase in Profits A report released by Goldman Sachs (GSSustain, 2007) on six industrial sectors – energy, mining, steel, food, beverages and media – found that companies considered leaders in implementing environmental, social and governance policies designed to create sustained competitive advantage had outperformed the overall stock market by 25 per cent since August 2005. Within their own sectors, 72 per cent of these leading companies had...