CSR and Innovation
With its memorandum for an environmental industrial policy, the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) highlights the need for a new orientation of technological progress. This is necessary to counteract the dramatically growing environmental problems and to preserve at the same time the competitiveness of the German economy in a time of shortage and rising prices for raw materials. Therefore an environmental industrial policy must strengthen future industries and, more importantly, foster innovations that allow companies to access new markets that are both enduring and environmentally friendly.
Companies are today confronted by the very same daunting challenges. The earlier they can adjust themselves to the environmental and economics trends and demands, the better their international competitiveness will be. Modern management must face the challenges and actively take responsibility by fostering sustainable innovations.
To date, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is often understood by companies as a public relations measure. In opposition to this, the project aims at establishing CSR as an innovation and result-oriented management approach.
The following tasks are planned within the project:
• An analysis of the literature in the field of CSR and innovation,
• An empirical quantitative survey and qualitative case studies with interviews,
• The characterization of the connection between CSR and innovations in companies and the analysis of possible barriers and potentials, and
• A description of CSR as an innovative management approach.
The results will be published in a scientific survey and a brochure for communication purposes. In addition a policy paper with recommendations for the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety will be compiled.
Project duration: November 2007 bis Mai 2008
Cooperating partners:
Future e.V.
4Sustainability
Contracting authority:
German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU)
Contact:
Dr. Jens Clausen
clausen@borderstep.de
Publications:
Braun, S.; Clausen, J.; Loew. T.; herausgegeben vom BMU (2009): Innovation durch CSR - Die Zukunft nachhaltig gestalten, Berlin
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Clausen, J.; Loew; T. (2009): CSR und Innovation, Literaturstudie und Befragung. Untersuchung im Auftrag des Bundesministeriums für Umwelt, Naturschutz und Reaktorsicherheit. Berlin.
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Loew, T.; Clausen, J.; Hall, M.; Braun, S. (2009): Fallstudien zu CSR und Innovation: Praxisbeispiele aus Deutschland und den USA. Berlin, Münster, Hanover.
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Loew, T.; Clausen, J.; Hall, M.; Braun, S. (2009): Case Studies on CSR and Innovation Company Cases from Germany and the USA, Berlin, Münster, Hanover.
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