ABSTRACT
This chapter provides Austria profiles, including key information about the relevant corporate sustainability and responsibility (CSR) history, country-specific issues, trends, research, education and leading organizations. Austria's social market economy, which postulates not only economic freedom but also social justice and environmental protection, is arguably a fertile ground for CSR. Austria's CSR engine has slowed and political action has been lagging behind business and civil society. It should be stressed that it has been business, especially companies operating internationally, that has been driving Austria's CSR agenda, rather than government. Austria's government sees CSR as an important factor in ensuring competitiveness in a globalised market. Austria's CSR leaders display a number of distinctive characteristics. Austria's approach to public procurement has been fragmented, with different public actors having different areas of focus and hence different standards. While enjoying high social security and environmental standards, Austria also has its weak points.
