Citizenship and Sustainability in Organizations - Böcker

Current models of corporate citizenship largely consider business as one coherent entity. This view of business as a corporate force overlooks the growing evidence that most businesses are run by families. Family businesses are the most common form of business in existence – across countries, continents and geopolitical divides – and yet we know remarkably little about their approach to corporate citizenship. Where families run businesses, they create a concentration of family values that – for good or ill – influence the way business practices and behaviours develop. The role of the family in business has, therefore, an influence on the development of society that is partially mediated through corporate citizenship. This book pulls together current thinking from several diverse research fields that intersect with family business research to offer insight into current research and examples of practice for those studying and researching in the fields of family business, business values and corporate practice. The book will also explore the fact that family businesses tend to take a longer-term approach to business and that this is reflected in their behaviour towards the environment, community engagement, employee development and innovation.Bringing together contributions from researchers in the diverse fields of family business, philanthropy, community engagement, corporate social responsibility, innovation and policy, this book explores the many ways in which family businesses contribute to the corporate citizenship agenda.

Citizenship and Sustainability in Organizations: Exploring and Spanning the Boundaries is the introductory book in the series of the same name and draws upon new conceptual thinking from some of the leading contributors to The Journal of Corporate Citizenship on topics of social responsibility, organizational citizenship, influencing and leading change for sustainability and individual agency. Chapter authors are influential thinkers, pushing the boundaries of conventional thinking about corporate citizenship and sustainability to generate innovative ideas, models and practices. The book’s core message is that the contexts within which organizations and individuals act are undergoing significant change and disruption. Existing corporate social responsibility (CSR), corporate citizenship and business sustainability models and frameworks need to be adapted, abandoned or transformed. This book represents a starting point for dialogue about these challenges and presents commentaries, debates, essays and insights that aim to be provocative and engaging, raise some of the important issues of the day and provide observations on what may be too new yet to be the subject of detailed empirical and theoretical studies. The book is aimed at researchers, students and practitioners in the fields of corporate citizenship, sustainability, CSR, business ethics, corporate governance and critical management and leadership studies.

The Intelligent Nation proposes a systemic and radical transformation of the organisation, management, ownership and performance of the services of the state by capitalising on the potential offered by contemporary information capability and fulfilling the rights and obligations both to and of citizens. In this book, John Beckford shows how, by adopting the principles of an Intelligent Organisation, the state can thrive and meet the needs of its citizens. He proposes a complete rethink of the state as the enabler or provider of public services. In particular, he points to the failure of the public sector to significantly emulate the massive gains in productivity and customer focus experienced in both manufacturing and services (e.g. finance, retailing, insurance). Governance and all public services must be redesigned to align to the contemporary needs of the citizen and exploit the power of information to enable a transformation of their effectiveness, redefine efficiency and support human-based services in crucial areas. Each chapter provides the key learning points, a discussion of the problem in theory and practice, integrated case studies, and discussion points. Written in an accessible style, the book provides thought-provoking supplemental reading for masters and undergraduate students reading organisation theory, organisation development, political science, public administration, healthcare, information systems and business and management science.

The Intelligent Nation proposes a systemic and radical transformation of the organisation, management, ownership and performance of the services of the state by capitalising on the potential offered by contemporary information capability and fulfilling the rights and obligations both to and of citizens. In this book, John Beckford shows how, by adopting the principles of an Intelligent Organisation, the state can thrive and meet the needs of its citizens. He proposes a complete rethink of the state as the enabler or provider of public services. In particular, he points to the failure of the public sector to significantly emulate the massive gains in productivity and customer focus experienced in both manufacturing and services (e.g. finance, retailing, insurance). Governance and all public services must be redesigned to align to the contemporary needs of the citizen and exploit the power of information to enable a transformation of their effectiveness, redefine efficiency and support human-based services in crucial areas. Each chapter provides the key learning points, a discussion of the problem in theory and practice, integrated case studies, and discussion points. Written in an accessible style, the book provides thought-provoking supplemental reading for masters and undergraduate students reading organisation theory, organisation development, political science, public administration, healthcare, information systems and business and management science.

Citizenship and Sustainability in Organizations: Exploring and Spanning the Boundaries is the introductory book in the series of the same name and draws upon new conceptual thinking from some of the leading contributors to The Journal of Corporate Citizenship on topics of social responsibility, organizational citizenship, influencing and leading change for sustainability and individual agency. Chapter authors are influential thinkers, pushing the boundaries of conventional thinking about corporate citizenship and sustainability to generate innovative ideas, models and practices. The book’s core message is that the contexts within which organizations and individuals act are undergoing significant change and disruption. Existing corporate social responsibility (CSR), corporate citizenship and business sustainability models and frameworks need to be adapted, abandoned or transformed. This book represents a starting point for dialogue about these challenges and presents commentaries, debates, essays and insights that aim to be provocative and engaging, raise some of the important issues of the day and provide observations on what may be too new yet to be the subject of detailed empirical and theoretical studies. The book is aimed at researchers, students and practitioners in the fields of corporate citizenship, sustainability, CSR, business ethics, corporate governance and critical management and leadership studies.

Over the last 30 years, partnership has received growing attention across a range of sectors and disciplines. Widely used to describe a relationship in which different actors pool their resources, knowledge and skills to address common problems, partnership is currently presented as central to the achievement of more inclusive and sustainable development. Rejecting "one size fits all" approaches, and mindful of different understandings of the term, Partnership and Transformation: The Promise of Multi-stakeholder Collaboration in Context, which is designed to appeal to both academics and practitioners alike, argues that partnership must be understood in relation to specific contexts and the added value it may offer for individuals, organisations and wider society. It is further suggested that the transformational potential of partnership rests critically upon a move away from purely instrumental considerations of its worth to a deeper appreciation of its intrinsic value as a process based on interpersonal relationships. A stronger balance between pragmatic and reflective dimensions of partnership can, the author claims, enhance opportunities for meaningful deliberation and productive conflict and contribute to the systems change needed for a global citizenship that embraces human well-being and stewardship of the planet.

Over the last 30 years, partnership has received growing attention across a range of sectors and disciplines. Widely used to describe a relationship in which different actors pool their resources, knowledge and skills to address common problems, partnership is currently presented as central to the achievement of more inclusive and sustainable development. Rejecting "one size fits all" approaches, and mindful of different understandings of the term, Partnership and Transformation: The Promise of Multi-stakeholder Collaboration in Context, which is designed to appeal to both academics and practitioners alike, argues that partnership must be understood in relation to specific contexts and the added value it may offer for individuals, organisations and wider society. It is further suggested that the transformational potential of partnership rests critically upon a move away from purely instrumental considerations of its worth to a deeper appreciation of its intrinsic value as a process based on interpersonal relationships. A stronger balance between pragmatic and reflective dimensions of partnership can, the author claims, enhance opportunities for meaningful deliberation and productive conflict and contribute to the systems change needed for a global citizenship that embraces human well-being and stewardship of the planet.

Based on the importance of human beings as creators and managers of knowledge towards the achievement of sustainability in the current digital age, this book is an effort to present many studies taking individuals as centers of knowledge and starting points for environmental, social, and economic development.From various theoretical and empirical studies developed by researchers from Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil, this book presents, in an ordered sequence, the individual as the creator of knowledge, the role of human beings as knowledge managers with and for sustainability, the opportunities for knowledge sharing in virtual research collaborations for sustainability, and the advantages and disadvantages with and for sustainability from a human-centered perspective in the digital era. Moreover, this text describes the antecedents of competitive advantage in a sustainable cooperative network, knowledge management in technology projects, an empirical study of knowledge management of tutorial intervention, a model of processes and knowledge management to increase competitiveness, the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for managing sustainable practices, finishing with knowledge management trends with and for sustainability, from a human-centered perspective in the digital era.Offering an innovative approach, this book seeks to expand the understanding of the theme of knowledge management and sustainability from the perspective of the human resource as a generator of knowledge. There is mounting focus on knowledge-intensive work and sustainable development in the corporate world. In light of these trends, this edited volume will be of value to researchers, academics, professionals, and advanced students in the fields of management, environment and sustainability, and development studies.

Based on the importance of human beings as creators and managers of knowledge towards the achievement of sustainability in the current digital age, this book is an effort to present many studies taking individuals as centers of knowledge and starting points for environmental, social, and economic development.From various theoretical and empirical studies developed by researchers from Mexico, Colombia, and Brazil, this book presents, in an ordered sequence, the individual as the creator of knowledge, the role of human beings as knowledge managers with and for sustainability, the opportunities for knowledge sharing in virtual research collaborations for sustainability, and the advantages and disadvantages with and for sustainability from a human-centered perspective in the digital era. Moreover, this text describes the antecedents of competitive advantage in a sustainable cooperative network, knowledge management in technology projects, an empirical study of knowledge management of tutorial intervention, a model of processes and knowledge management to increase competitiveness, the role of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) for managing sustainable practices, finishing with knowledge management trends with and for sustainability, from a human-centered perspective in the digital era.Offering an innovative approach, this book seeks to expand the understanding of the theme of knowledge management and sustainability from the perspective of the human resource as a generator of knowledge. There is mounting focus on knowledge-intensive work and sustainable development in the corporate world. In light of these trends, this edited volume will be of value to researchers, academics, professionals, and advanced students in the fields of management, environment and sustainability, and development studies.

Business Schools, Leadership and Sustainable Development Goals: The Future of Responsible Management Education is the sixth book in the series Citizenship and Sustainability in Organizations. It contains chapters from various scholars and practitioners in the field of responsible management education (RME). Through introspection, through celebrating successes and learning from failures (retrospection) and through looking forward (prospection), it aims to inspire a future of management education and leadership development that demonstrates its relevance to sustainable development. In doing so, it touches upon the grand societal challenges of our time, as illustrated by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and discusses how business schools, and other providers of management education, could and should contribute to overcoming these challenges. It argues that management education needs to educate future leaders in a way that no longer hampers but truly accelerates the process of sustainable development. This book offers a collection of thought-provoking ideas, vivid stories (including personal accounts and experiences), and appealing and engaged forecasts, visions and ideas about management education and leadership development for sustainability. Hence, it is a must-read for anyone interested in or involved in RME.

Business Schools, Leadership and Sustainable Development Goals: The Future of Responsible Management Education is the sixth book in the series Citizenship and Sustainability in Organizations. It contains chapters from various scholars and practitioners in the field of responsible management education (RME). Through introspection, through celebrating successes and learning from failures (retrospection) and through looking forward (prospection), it aims to inspire a future of management education and leadership development that demonstrates its relevance to sustainable development. In doing so, it touches upon the grand societal challenges of our time, as illustrated by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, and discusses how business schools, and other providers of management education, could and should contribute to overcoming these challenges. It argues that management education needs to educate future leaders in a way that no longer hampers but truly accelerates the process of sustainable development. This book offers a collection of thought-provoking ideas, vivid stories (including personal accounts and experiences), and appealing and engaged forecasts, visions and ideas about management education and leadership development for sustainability. Hence, it is a must-read for anyone interested in or involved in RME.

How does a smart organization model enable self-governments to lead local and regional development in a sustainable and resilient manner? What are key aspects of smart organizations impacting the success of self-governments in attracting and retaining residents, entrepreneurs, and investors? Smart organizations became a relevant construct in economic and management sciences. They supply many practical applications for self-governments and public sector organizations that are looking for effective ways to leverage their resources and capabilities in the local and regional development process. This research monograph indicates how factors of smart organizations in local administration lead to sustainable and resilient development processes. In parallel, the monograph is a practical guide for local government managers looking for the best, international practices in collecting, researching, and interpreting data for making decisions that influence the competitiveness and market position of locations they govern.

How does a smart organization model enable self-governments to lead local and regional development in a sustainable and resilient manner? What are key aspects of smart organizations impacting the success of self-governments in attracting and retaining residents, entrepreneurs, and investors? Smart organizations became a relevant construct in economic and management sciences. They supply many practical applications for self-governments and public sector organizations that are looking for effective ways to leverage their resources and capabilities in the local and regional development process. This research monograph indicates how factors of smart organizations in local administration lead to sustainable and resilient development processes. In parallel, the monograph is a practical guide for local government managers looking for the best, international practices in collecting, researching, and interpreting data for making decisions that influence the competitiveness and market position of locations they govern.

Current models of corporate citizenship largely consider business as one coherent entity. This view of business as a corporate force overlooks the growing evidence that most businesses are run by families. Family businesses are the most common form of business in existence – across countries, continents and geopolitical divides – and yet we know remarkably little about their approach to corporate citizenship. Where families run businesses, they create a concentration of family values that – for good or ill – influence the way business practices and behaviours develop. The role of the family in business has, therefore, an influence on the development of society that is partially mediated through corporate citizenship. This book pulls together current thinking from several diverse research fields that intersect with family business research to offer insight into current research and examples of practice for those studying and researching in the fields of family business, business values and corporate practice. The book will also explore the fact that family businesses tend to take a longer-term approach to business and that this is reflected in their behaviour towards the environment, community engagement, employee development and innovation.Bringing together contributions from researchers in the diverse fields of family business, philanthropy, community engagement, corporate social responsibility, innovation and policy, this book explores the many ways in which family businesses contribute to the corporate citizenship agenda.

This edited research monograph collects nine unique research contributions on the concept of social sustainability and its connection to possibilities and hindrances for good work in organisations. Social sustainability, in organisational contexts, emphasizes the long-term well-being of stakeholders and communities. The authors in this book demonstrate how organisational long-term strategies should prioritise employee well-being, mental health, community engagement, and ethical supply chain management, inter alia. Readers, from undergraduate students to the research community, will learn how long-term social sustainability orientation is different from Corporate Social Responsibility, which responds to immediate stakeholder expectations. The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals have nudged many organisations to implement social sustainability, and many authors in this book relate to UN concepts such as the SDGs or Global Compact’s definition of social sustainability. However, many organisations have come under scrutiny for acting merely ceremonial to live up to the current megatrends. In consequence, readers will take away that the line between genuine corporate mission and ceremonial lip services must be critically observed, and how this can be done in different areas. Key chapters of this book explore social sustainability, e.g., in higher education (as sustainable knowledge in business students), in corporate communication (employee identification, corporate volunteering, and corporate heritage), and in sustainable human resource management practices. Workplace toxicity, especially towards minorities, is explored, highlighting both the role of bystanders, and the financial repercussions of ignoring workplace harassment. Digital transformation's social implications, employee well-being, and the importance of psychological safety in startups are addressed. The chapters, all together, signify the relevance of meaningful work for long-term societal cohesion and individual fulfilment.

This edited research monograph collects nine unique research contributions on the concept of social sustainability and its connection to possibilities and hindrances for good work in organisations. Social sustainability, in organisational contexts, emphasizes the long-term well-being of stakeholders and communities. The authors in this book demonstrate how organisational long-term strategies should prioritise employee well-being, mental health, community engagement, and ethical supply chain management, inter alia. Readers, from undergraduate students to the research community, will learn how long-term social sustainability orientation is different from Corporate Social Responsibility, which responds to immediate stakeholder expectations. The United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals have nudged many organisations to implement social sustainability, and many authors in this book relate to UN concepts such as the SDGs or Global Compact’s definition of social sustainability. However, many organisations have come under scrutiny for acting merely ceremonial to live up to the current megatrends. In consequence, readers will take away that the line between genuine corporate mission and ceremonial lip services must be critically observed, and how this can be done in different areas. Key chapters of this book explore social sustainability, e.g., in higher education (as sustainable knowledge in business students), in corporate communication (employee identification, corporate volunteering, and corporate heritage), and in sustainable human resource management practices. Workplace toxicity, especially towards minorities, is explored, highlighting both the role of bystanders, and the financial repercussions of ignoring workplace harassment. Digital transformation's social implications, employee well-being, and the importance of psychological safety in startups are addressed. The chapters, all together, signify the relevance of meaningful work for long-term societal cohesion and individual fulfilment.

Fair Trade constitutes a social-business initiative that plays a crucial role in the transition towards a "sustainable market economy", countering the major challenges of the 21st century. This research monograph reveals the mechanisms behind this process. It argues that Fair Trade constitutes a new type of market, "a Dispersed Hybrid Market (DHM)", that due to its specific features contributes to a more pro-social functioning of the entire market and taking responsibility for sustainable development by different market participants. It demonstrates, thus, what was underestimated about Fair Trade, and which is extremely important, that it can have a positive impact on the market in terms of sustainable transformation. The book is intended for researchers, lecturers, students, practitioners, and political decision-makers interested in sustainable development, Fair Trade, and transition towards sustainable markets, business, and economy. It contributes to better understanding of sustainability challenges explaining specifics of Fair Trade market, revealing paradoxes and barriers of its development and showing mechanisms of its spillover effects. It also develops arguments about the need to change the role of the state in the face of global challenges and to support such grassroots international initiatives as Fair Trade. Therefore the practical recommendations address both the desired directions of development of the self-governance of this initiative and the expected role of the state towards it, in particular possible ways to strengthen it.

Fair Trade constitutes a social-business initiative that plays a crucial role in the transition towards a "sustainable market economy", countering the major challenges of the 21st century. This research monograph reveals the mechanisms behind this process. It argues that Fair Trade constitutes a new type of market, "a Dispersed Hybrid Market (DHM)", that due to its specific features contributes to a more pro-social functioning of the entire market and taking responsibility for sustainable development by different market participants. It demonstrates, thus, what was underestimated about Fair Trade, and which is extremely important, that it can have a positive impact on the market in terms of sustainable transformation. The book is intended for researchers, lecturers, students, practitioners, and political decision-makers interested in sustainable development, Fair Trade, and transition towards sustainable markets, business, and economy. It contributes to better understanding of sustainability challenges explaining specifics of Fair Trade market, revealing paradoxes and barriers of its development and showing mechanisms of its spillover effects. It also develops arguments about the need to change the role of the state in the face of global challenges and to support such grassroots international initiatives as Fair Trade. Therefore the practical recommendations address both the desired directions of development of the self-governance of this initiative and the expected role of the state towards it, in particular possible ways to strengthen it.

Through theoretical-practical studies, this book explains the foundational concepts of ecocentrism, knowledge management, and sustainability and advances the understanding of how ecocentric paradigms can be leveraged for the process of knowledge management and knowledge creation, showcasing various applications of this practice and illustrating advantages and disadvantages of adopting an eco-centric approach. With a focus on the three themes of sustainability, knowledge management, and ecocentrism, this edited volume presents practical case studies from various organizational contexts, illustrating how sustainability-related practices make use of knowledge management to meet their business objectives from an ecocentric perspective and highlighting the transversal application of this approach to various types of contexts. The book also addresses cases of how post-industrial organizations of the 21st century are using knowledge management in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals with reflections on ecocentrism. There is practical, theoretical, and methodological content, making this valuable to researchers, academics, and advanced students in the fields of knowledge management, sustainability, organizational studies and strategic management.