AbstractsEarth & Environmental Science

Corporate Social Responsibility, the Triple Bottom Line, Standardization and Brand Management in Houston, Texas

by Tashiba Dixon




Institution: Uppsala University
Department:
Year: 2014
Keywords: Sustainable Development; Corporate Social Responsibility; Triple Bottom Line; Environmentalism; Standardization; Brand Management; Natural Sciences; Earth and Related Environmental Sciences; Naturvetenskap; Geovetenskap och miljövetenskap; Masterprogram i hållbar utveckling; Master Programme in Sustainable Development; Hållbar utveckling; Sustainable development
Record ID: 1363989
Full text PDF: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:uu:diva-232125


Abstract

This study examines Corporate Social Responsibility in Sustainable Development and the notion of the Triple Bottom Line as an imperative in today’s socially responsible corporation. Standardization is used as a tool for integrating social and environmental costs and benefits into the financial bottom line of an organization. This research aims to discover what standards or methods are used to measure social and environmental progress in three organizations in Houston, Texas and the implied potential for CSR as a driver for profitability. The primary data included in this research was captured through semi-structured qualitative interviews with upper level management of the three companies included in the final study. The results consistently supported positive correlations between CSR and improvements in company image and stakeholder relations. One participant was also able to report evidence of increased profitability through cost containment as a result of their integration of CSR initiatives throughout their organization.