ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the theme of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The concept has been defined differently over the years, but it generally refers to a form of self-regulation through which businesses balance profits with social well-being and environmental value. Corporate social responsibility is more than acting within the boundaries of the law: it includes acting on the basis of ethical values like transparency, responsibility and ensuring the well-being of future generations. Companies can be said to be doing well in this regard when, based on corporate strategy, their annual reports include (a chapter on) CSR and they can achieve a kind of ratification by an ‘accreditation’ institution. However, CSR is still challenged in various ways and under varying circumstances. Three examples of ethical dilemmas that could emerge in the realm of CSR are described in three discussions, which are demonstrated with related cases. The cases call for reflection on the question of how to manage the entire supply chain with integrity when the pros and cons of business activities seem to get out of balance; on how to ensure that the pursuit of capital productivity never leads to inefficiency and ineffectiveness with regard to labour and fairness; and on how to take care that in doing green and responsible business, (previous) stakeholders are treated with fairness.
