Gayle Avery and Narelle Hooper
This interview demonstrates how CEOs can focus on CSR to engage the workforce and change the culture and performance of an organization.
Abstract
Purpose
This interview demonstrates how CEOs can focus on CSR to engage the workforce and change the culture and performance of an organization.
Design/methodology/approach
This article reports on an interview with Dr David Cooke, Managing Director of Konica Minolta Australia.
Findings
By introducing CSR to the firm, and in particular pursuing the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) #8 against human trafficking, the MD not only changed the management style and culture in the organization, but also enhanced commercial results. Performance improved across many measures: revenue, profit, market share in a declining marketplace, highest number of units placed into the Australian market, increasing prestige associated with the company’s brand, and becoming an employer of choice.
Research limitations/implications
The findings are consistent with the literature on corporate sustainable investment, but further studies are needed to fully understand the processes involved in changing culture and improving performance via CSR.
Practical implications
This interview clearly shows the steps that the new CEO took in radically changing the culture of his organization by adopting CSR extensively.
Social implications
The power of business is vital to pursuing societal goals, and the case of Konica Minolta Australia demonstrates that doing so also benefits the company.
Originality/value
This study clearly explains how a corporate culture was changed and performance enhanced through a strategy based on investment in social issues.
Details
Keywords
Whereas previously the objectives of the corporation are seen by many as antithetical to the aims of the not‐for‐profit sector, we are now in fact seeing far greater interaction…
Abstract
Purpose
Whereas previously the objectives of the corporation are seen by many as antithetical to the aims of the not‐for‐profit sector, we are now in fact seeing far greater interaction between the two. The purpose of this paper is to examine this trend and the motivation of both to form partnerships.
Design/methodology/approach
Reference is made to a range of literature as well as interviews with those immersed in this field and case study material involving large corporations.
Findings
What emerges is that typically if the not‐for‐profit sector has approached business for support it has been an appeal to altruism. This paper suggests that the not‐for‐profit world has undersold itself and has in fact the answer to many of the problems that business faces today, and that benefits to corporations who engage in corporate social investment (CSI) include enhanced ability to attract and retain high calibre staff, enhanced reputation and branding and marketing benefits.
Research limitations/implications
As this paper draws on qualitative research further quantitative research throughout the Asia Pacific region is suggested in order to measure return on investment from social investment programmes.
Practical implications
The paper suggests that this relationship is one that requires careful management to facilitate a successful engagement process and maximise outcomes for both parties.
Originality/value
The paper concludes that significant benefits accrue for corporations who engage in CSI and hence this has ramifications on how the nor‐for‐profit sector should approach potential corporate partners. An appeal to commercial motivations rather than to altruism or the moral imperative.
Details
Keywords
Recently the American magazine Fortune asked: Why do David Begelman, Janet Cooke and Barry Saffaie have something in common? It continued:
The role of the lawyer is as fundamental to the success of a company flotation as that of the sponsor, the stockbroker and the accountant. Pinsent & Co, who have been involved in…
Abstract
The role of the lawyer is as fundamental to the success of a company flotation as that of the sponsor, the stockbroker and the accountant. Pinsent & Co, who have been involved in new issues since 1897, have published a booklet Company Flotations — The Lawyers Role which outlines legal duties and responsibilities. It has been written by senior partner David Cooke, who says:
Claire Nee, Mark Button, David Shepherd, Dean Blackbourn and Sharon Leal
This paper aims to present findings based on the psychological profile of 17 offenders who have been convicted of occupational fraud, bribery or related offences. It provides…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present findings based on the psychological profile of 17 offenders who have been convicted of occupational fraud, bribery or related offences. It provides findings on their specific psychological profiles using well-established psychological techniques to gauge personality. The study is also aimed to provide the foundations for further research on such profiles, which could eventually provide a screening tool to identify individuals who might be a higher risk of engaging in corrupt behaviours for organisations.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is based upon 17 interviews with white-collar offenders who were also asked to complete an Eysenck Personality Questionnaire to identify their profile.
Findings
This study postulates that sensation seeking, risk appetite, impulsivity and lower non-aggressive self-regulation dominate the E scale traits of white-collar offenders.
Originality/value
This paper is very much original in its design with few studies having been performed in this area.
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Stewart Hildred, Alex Ross, Eckhard Runge and R. Chellappa
For most of us in the industry, and certainly the members of CEMA, 1992 could have been much better. To look back over the black spots would serve only to remind us that we are…
Abstract
For most of us in the industry, and certainly the members of CEMA, 1992 could have been much better. To look back over the black spots would serve only to remind us that we are not yet out of the woods. Despite the continuing recession with its attendant gloom and despondency, the Association has had some high points during the past year.
There has been a considerable growth of interest in climbing and walking robots since the first international conference in Brussels last year. The two‐day event at Portsmouth…
Abstract
There has been a considerable growth of interest in climbing and walking robots since the first international conference in Brussels last year. The two‐day event at Portsmouth University attracted speakers from 20 countries, a number of whom were able to report on machines that have been built and successfully tested, and in some cases are under evaluation in industry. Supporting these from the end of academic research were papers dealing with simulation, control, locomotion, teleoperation, navigation, sensing and other aspects. Much of the work is being funded by the European Commission under the Brite‐Euram programme. The conference was preceded by a workshop day and included a small industrial exhibition.
David Cooke, Thomas Rohleder and Paul Rogers
The purpose of this paper is to report on the development of a qualitative systems model developed to understand why average emergency department (ED) length of stay (LOS) was…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to report on the development of a qualitative systems model developed to understand why average emergency department (ED) length of stay (LOS) was rapidly increasing while the number of ED visits was relatively constant. The paper's focus was to identify systemic causes for poor patient flow so that the model could then be used to evaluate improvement options using a more complete view of the causal structure for the ED delays.
Design/methodology/approach
In this case study, a disciplined system dynamics approach was used that included development of a dynamic hypothesis, causal loop and stock and flow diagramming, interviews with system experts, and data collection and analysis.
Findings
Results support the dynamic hypothesis that an aging population and shortages of resources to treat chronically ill patients (among other dynamics) were causing longer average LOS. Older and sicker patients were consuming more ED resources and causing less acute patients to leave without being seen or to avoid visiting the ED in the first place. In essence, the ED was acting as a safety valve for the wider health care system as many parts of this wider system became overloaded.
Practical implications
Owing to the systemic causes for the patient treatment delay problem in the ED, simple local solutions are unlikely to be effective. The system model can be used as a basis to understand the underlying dynamics of the systemic causes for poor patient flow and identify robust and long‐term solutions.
Originality/value
The paper presents a process for developing a dynamic model to engage the various participants in a health care system in understanding the causes for delays and poor patient flow. The modeling approach can be used as a means for health care managers/administrators to identify improvement options that address the systemic problems.
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The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature of both charitable and religious fundraising amongst vulnerable older adults. It is a practice that is hidden and opaque. The…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature of both charitable and religious fundraising amongst vulnerable older adults. It is a practice that is hidden and opaque. The circumstances surrounding the death of Olive Clarke in spring 2015, however, suggest that it is a practice that involves “intrusive” and “excessive” practices. Fundraising amongst vulnerable older adults is largely unregulated and independently monitored. This paper argues that ensuring the protection of vulnerable older adults requires substantial change and new accountabilities.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper explores current approaches to financial abuse and the focus on family and professional carers as the main likely perpetrators. However, using literature from both the USA and Australia, it considers notions of “trust” and professional behaviour, and the way that vulnerable older adults are subject to new forms of abuse as a result of financial technology such as online and telephone banking. It links this with the practices of charitable fundraisers using techniques such as cold calling and direct mail.
Findings
The circumstances surrounding the death of Olive Clarke suggest that charities, and those fundraise for charities appear to engage in a practice whereby they sell the names of likely donors to each other. This practice opens opportunities for abusive relationships to take place. At the same time many clergy operate like the single GP surgeries that allowed Shipman to practice unnoticed and unaccountable. The relationship between clergy and their aging congregation, who are relied upon to raise funds for church activities, open up the opportunity for abuse to take to place. Few records on charitable giving exist that permit regulation and independent scrutiny.
Research limitations/implications
Current research in this area is limited by the focus on family and professional carers as likely perpetrators of financial abuse, and through attention on child sexual abuse in general. There is a lack of research on charitable giving, and the focus tends to be on altruism rather than the practices and motivations of fundraisers themselves. This paper intends to begin an academic debate to the context in which Olive Clarke took her own life.
Practical implications
In the wake of the death of Olive Clarke the Fundraising Standards Board has been tasked with reviewing the way charities raise funds amongst vulnerable older adults. No one has yet used the language of financial abuse, choosing to opt for the terms “excessive” and “intrusive” there is a need to shift this debate and encourage greater regulation and accountability.
Social implications
This paper seeks to explore how some of the organisations that are supposed to protect and care for vulnerable people engage in practices that exploit and abuse. It is timely as debates about charitable giving are beginning to increase, and the role of the church and the religious groups in the abuse of children is being considered by the new independent inquiry in the UK. It has significant implications for accountability, trust and regulation.
Originality/value
The financial abuse of older adults is rarely considered outside of the family – carer nexus. However, changes in the banking and financial systems means that opportunities for abuse are greater than ever before. Prior to the death of Olive Clarke in spring 2015 very little attention on the nature of charitable and religious fundraising amongst older adults has taken place, and consequently this paper is highly original, but equally timely.