Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): A Comprehensive Study of Company Leaders’ Influence within Companies

• Main Authors: Lisa Tuyen, 阮莉莎
• Other Authors: Dr. Bih-Shiaw Jaw
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2014
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/04968021490149161452

碩士 === 國立中山大學 === 國際經營管理碩士班 === 102 === 　With the increasing awareness of sustainability, which focuses on balancing environmental protection, economic growth, and social concerns, corporations are becoming aware of the changes that they need to partake in, in order to preserve the natural environment. In order for companies to have a competitive advantage over their competitors, it is necessary for leaders in corporations to take a leading role in spearheading environmental initiatives that will benefit not only the company, but the natural environment, as well. 　This paper will contribute in addressing: 　　1. Background on sustainability, along with important points of views from scholars. 　　2. Better understanding the efforts made by corporations regarding sustainability. 　　3. Understanding how environmental management systems (EMS), such as ISO 14001 (International Organization for Standardization) and leadership efforts influence a corporation. 　　4. Regarding issues with sustainability, corporations should endeavor to adopt a more proactive, rather than reactive approach when it comes to issues affecting the environment. 　　5. Corporations in Asia need to be better aware that if they are in fact participating in corporate social responsibility, it is necessary for them to better market these green innovative initiatives, so that potential customers are better informed, thus giving companies a competitive advantage. 　Analysis has been conducted by conducting three qualitative interviews from leaders in corporations headquartered in Taiwan. In order to better understand the relationship between leaders and corporate social responsibility, we used five (5) measurements: leadership characteristics, corporate social responsibility characteristics, environmental management systems, proactive or reactive corporations and competitive advantage. 　Overall, this study will apply to specific industries within Taiwan, where corporations can provide leaders with the tools required to implement positive change in the corporation, which can help to improve the natural environment. Not only that, but these initiatives will help corporations acquire a competitive advantage over their competitors. For managers, this will help them realize the impact they can have by becoming transformational leaders, and ensuring that the effects of their leadership are felt throughout the entire company.