University of Twente Student Theses

Login

The future of the European corporate social responsibility strategy : if and how is it possible to establish a reporting requirement that makes coherent disclosure on environmental, social and governance information mandatory for European companies?

Brandemann, Victoria (2011) The future of the European corporate social responsibility strategy : if and how is it possible to establish a reporting requirement that makes coherent disclosure on environmental, social and governance information mandatory for European companies?

[img] PDF
1MB
Abstract:This bachelor thesis deals with the future of the European corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy. CSR was officially defined in 2001 by the European Commission as “a concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interaction with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis” (European Commission 2001, p. 6). As the introduction of non-financial reporting requirements is regarded as an effective means to bring forward the European CSR strategy, this thesis attempts to identify if and how a reporting Directive could be implemented that makes disclosure on economic, social and environmental activities mandatory and that requires European business to use coherent reporting standards. While some scientific papers focus on legal possibilities to implement a reporting requirement, little research has yet been done on how to govern a coherent proceeding. Applying Donnelly’s theory “The Regimes of European Integration – Constructing Governance of the Single Market”, this thesis attempts to fill this research gap and helps to explain why some policy proposals are less feasible at European level than others. Data is gathered from relevant academic papers and from documents of European institutions, involved stakeholders and forums dealing with the European CSR strategy. The main contribution of this thesis is to show that the prerequisites for making CSR disclosure mandatory all over Europe and for setting coherent guidelines are not fulfilled. Nevertheless, the thesis projects that further development in European reporting policy is possible and that cooperation could be governed by establishing a “parallel regime”. Issuing a reporting Directive that slightly extends the EU Accounts Modernisation Directive (2003/51/EC) by a “comply or explain” principle and that recommends the use of international recognised reporting guidelines for larger companies, the EU could strike a new path in the years ahead in order to strengthen the whole European CSR strategy.
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:88 social and public administration
Programme:European Studies BSc (56627)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/61518
Export this item as:BibTeX
EndNote
HTML Citation
Reference Manager

 

Repository Staff Only: item control page