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1 – 10 of 16My approach comprises two main points. I begin by reiterating my proposed argument that corporate social responsibility develops within organisations, over time, in four general…
Abstract
My approach comprises two main points. I begin by reiterating my proposed argument that corporate social responsibility develops within organisations, over time, in four general phases and that practitioner attitudes are moving away from the dominant phase of social responsibility (SR) as public relations activity (Hemingway, 2013). The financial crash of 2008 was the catalyst for this marked gear shift in the awareness of organisational ‘ethics’ and ‘morality’ (SR) that was previously confined to the concerns of the business ethics scholars. Second, I contend that the legitimacy and credibility of SR in business schools is lagging behind that shift due to misunderstandings about its relevance, the obsession with performance metrics and a lack of political will in some cases. In the final part of this article, I suggest ways forward for research, teaching and practice.
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Ruth Elwood Martin, Debra Hanson, Christine Hemingway, Vivian Ramsden, Jane Buxton, Alison Granger‐Brown, Lara‐Lisa Condello, Ann Macaulay, Patti Janssen and T. Gregory Hislop
The purpose of this paper is to describe the development, by incarcerated women who were members of a prison participatory health research team, of a survey tool regarding…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to describe the development, by incarcerated women who were members of a prison participatory health research team, of a survey tool regarding homelessness and housing, the survey findings and recommendations for policy.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was developed by incarcerated women in a minimum/medium security women's prison in Canada. Associations were examined between socio‐demographic factors and reports of difficulty finding housing upon release, homelessness contributing to a return to crime, and a desire for relocation to another city upon release. Open‐ended questions were examined to look for recurrent themes and to illuminate the survey findings.
Findings
In total, 83 women completed the survey, a 72 per cent response rate. Of the 71 who were previously incarcerated, 56 per cent stated that homelessness contributed to their return to crime. Finding housing upon release was a problem for 63 per cent and 34 per cent desired relocation to another city upon release. Women indicated that a successful housing plan should incorporate flexible progressive staged housing.
Research limitations/implications
The present study focuses only on incarcerated women but could be expanded in future to include men.
Practical implications
Incarcerated women used the findings to create a housing proposal for prison leavers and created a resource database of the limited housing resources for women prison leavers.
Social implications
Lack of suitable housing is a major factor leading to recidivism. This study highlights the reality of the cycle of homelessness, poverty, crime for survival, street‐life leading to drug use and barriers to health, education and employment that incarcerated women face.
Originality/value
Housing is a recognized basic determinant of health. No previous studies have used participatory research to address homelessness in a prison population.
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Howard Harris and Michael Schwartz
This introduction to the 20-year anniversary issue of Research in Ethical Issues in Organizations notes that the role of organisations in society, the international and…
Abstract
This introduction to the 20-year anniversary issue of Research in Ethical Issues in Organizations notes that the role of organisations in society, the international and multidisciplinary scope of business ethics and the importance of narrative, issues identified in the early volumes, remain important.
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The purpose of this paper is to identify specific practices companies can adopt to unleash the social entrepreneurial spirit of their employees. It is in response to growing…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to identify specific practices companies can adopt to unleash the social entrepreneurial spirit of their employees. It is in response to growing expectations from customers, employees, investors and governmental agencies around the world that businesses serve not just the financial interests of their shareholders but the environmental and social expectations of all citizens. By encouraging and supporting employees to pursue innovative products, services and management practices that address both the company’s business interests and the individual’s social passions, corporate social entrepreneurship (CSE) has the potential to do both.
Design/methodology/approach
A systematic review (SR) of academic studies published in peer-reviewed journals was conducted to answer the review question: What are the organizational enablers of CSE in large national and multinational corporations? Thirteen relevant high-quality academic research studies were identified. These studies were then synthesized through a multi-step coding process using Atlas.ti. Common themes were identified and actionable management recommendations developed.
Findings
Three findings emerged: (a) that while an organization’s values, demonstrated by its leadership, empower CSEs, specific structures and practices are required to enable them to have the intended impact on its environmental and social performance; (b) that CSEs are motivated, but organizations need to invest in developing their skills and capabilities; and (c) when CSE success is recognized and rewarded it positively impacts future efforts by other employees.
Research limitations/implications
Available research has focused on the characteristics of the individual CSEs and the challenges they face. Although that research provided sufficient insights to support the analysis performed in this study, little research has been conducted to establish the extent to which CSE: (a) is used by businesses today, (b) is positively impacting company corporate social responsibility (CSR) perceptions; (c) may be improved through the application of the study’s recommendations, (d) is affected by leadership styles and business cultures and (e) differs across industry, national and political settings. Both qualitative and quantitative research into these and related topics are needed.
Practical implications
This paper provides a comprehensive view of the relationship between an organization’s practices and CSE success. It recommends that executives communicate their personal and the organization’s values; that they make specific, targeted organizational investments to support CSE; actively identify, recruit and train these employees; and establish, measure and report CSE results.
Social implications
CSE is an important complementary approach to CSR, environmental, social and governance investing and the United Nation’s sustainability development goals. It can contribute to businesses serving not just the commercial interests of their shareholders but the environmental and social expectations of all citizens.
Originality/value
While previous studies have focused on the personal characteristics and behaviors of CSEs, this is the first to use these insights to develop a comprehensive understanding of the organizational characteristics required for their success. Corporations are increasingly expected to meet the environmental and social expectations of all stakeholders, yet these programs are too often seen as more symbolic than substantive. This paper provides a roadmap for institutionalizing CSE as an important contributor to these efforts.
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Do these reference requests sound familiar? “I need to know what has happened on this day in history. Can you help me?” Or, “I'm doing a paper on Thornton Wilder. He was born on…
Abstract
Do these reference requests sound familiar? “I need to know what has happened on this day in history. Can you help me?” Or, “I'm doing a paper on Thornton Wilder. He was born on 17 April. Can you tell me who else was born on that day?” Or, “Are any national or regional anniversaries coming up next Friday?” These questions call for a special type of reference work—a book of days. A book of days (or day book) lists important events that have occurred on each day of the year throughout history, and is arranged by month and day. These works often include not only historical, cultural, and literary events, but also the dates of the births and deaths of notable people, commemorative days of saints, and special anniversaries. A book of days, for example, can reveal that historians Will and Ariel Durant were married in New York City Hall on Halloween in 1913, or that Hart Crane and Ernest Hemingway were born on the same day in 1899 (21 July). This article will review some of the more useful books of days that are often found in reference collections—works that are uniquely suited to answer questions about each day of the year.