Corporate Social Responsibility in the Chemical Industry: A Guide to Planning and Implementing Successful CSR Strategies

This book addresses the topic of the business case for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and its importance for business success, on one hand, and for the further diffusion of CSR practices, on the other. It discusses the business case for CSR in the chemical industry because this sector is relevant for economic development, and for its constant innovativeness. Moreover, the chemical industry has a long experience in CSR and sustainability strategies, and it offers many best practices to discuss. The book highlights how CSR practices can be correctly implemented in order to obtain positive financial corporate performance as well as to improve relationship with stakeholders. Factors influencing the effectiveness and efficiency of CSR will be described too, with particular focus on the effects of the different organizational behaviors. Why many CSR strategies fail to support business development, and the development of a positive relationship between business and society, is examined by arguing that contextual factors, corporate organization, and the different dimensions and aspects of CSR directly affect CSR performance. For instance, this book reveals that proper environmental initiatives implemented by chemical companies effectively improve economic results by allowing an efficient allocation of resources and assets. This book may have a broad target audience including students of business schools, but also professors, researchers, and business practitioners. Indeed, the book aims to support and guide entrepreneurs, managers and business advisors to design, plan, and implement successful CSR strategies. The latter may effectively improve corporate performance, financial and non financial, such as the image and reputation, which are reflected in positive economic results in the long term. In particular, the book highlights that developing CSR initiatives addressing specific stakeholder concerns improves corporate trust, and then, the long-term financial performance.