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CSR in the architectural branch: An explorative research on how architectural enterprises can organize and communicate about CSR

Heerze, A. (2010) CSR in the architectural branch: An explorative research on how architectural enterprises can organize and communicate about CSR.

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Abstract:CSR becomes more important in business in general and certainly plays a relevant role in construction sector, since this sector has an enormous social impact Bruijn, 2008). Although there is a growing interest in CSR, it doesn’t make the subject clearer. Many definitions exist, people use terms in different wa Garriga & Mele, 2004). CSR is in literature approached as a management concept, with general vague use of language, that results in a vagueness about CSR forms a starting point for this investigation. architecten, ingenieurs en adviseurs, to act upon and communicate about CSR. and the interests of bct, the focus of this research branch. To receive insights on how architectural enterprises and communicate internally and externally about CSR following central research question: “How can architectural enterprises organize CSR and communicate internally and externally about CSR?” To explore this subject, case study explicitly communicate about CSR or are known for their CSR efforts. The structured interviews and when available documents with were given the opportunity to provide feedback on the case study reports. The findings retrieved from the case studies provide interesting insight how they can organize CSR within their enterpris externally about CSR. For architectural enterprises, CSR means both the internal as organizations realize their impact on society and environment, and believe they should ta responsibility and design in a sustainable way. Sustainability is mainly interpreted as being respectful for this planet, where the fit between building and end end-users are fulfilled, a building is well design enterprises don’t just focus on their external designs, and also act upon CSR within the organization. Internal business aspects of CSR are a good employee policy with sufficient educational budget available, traineeships for students, separating garbage and a long term view on profit. The architectural enterprises contribute to social interests by e.g. contacting educational organizations in order to match the content of education with practice. Architectural enterprises can organize CSR in different ways: a distinction exists between smaller organizations that have an informal way of dealing with CSR and larger organizations that approach CSR in a more formalized and arranged way. An example of an inform start of plenary sessions and workgroups, where knowledge is shared and employees of the architectural enterprise discuss their view on CSR. Employees are also taken good care of, by e.g. offering enough opportunities for de rewriting the ISO 9001 handbook with sustainable designing checks intertwined, setting up a female Summary (Nijhof, Karssing, Wirtz & de ways and the meaning of terminology multi-interpretable concept (Karsten & van Veen, 1998). This thesis is written for an architectural enterprise that feels the demand of the market Due to the scope of this study, which is a master thesis, is on CSR communication with can incorporate CSR in their CSR, the aim of the research is to answer the , research was performed on four architectural enterprises that data was gathered by semi CSR communication. insights into what CSR means for architectural enterprises, enterprise and how they can communicate internally and external way of doing business. The end-user is determined. When the needs of the designed and stands for a long term period. Architectural ble, tural informal way of organizing CSR is the development and growth. More formal ways of organizing CSR, are II the ys varies (Votaw in and This bct within the architectural organization , semicommunication. The respondents e take ed al velopment leadership program and integrating ISO 14001 to map the environmental business effects. The combination of an emergent and strategic approach structure and culture should all ‘carry’ CSR optimal way. Measuring and monitoring CSR efforts isn’t realized enterprises and need to be paid more attention to in this branch. Since the designs of architectural enterprises stand in the middle of the society, an open system approach fits the organizations best. Architectural enterprises have an interactive relationship with the society. An example is being in contact with educational institutes in order to match the content of education about the construction sector with practice. Another way to fulfill CSR is to make the designs as susta possible, and therefore keeping up with the latest sustainable developments by participating in educational networks or architectural sustainable networks as t The main conclusion regarding CSR communication is th communicate their CSR efforts. Clients and market want to know what architectural enterprises do within the field of CSR. Plenary presentations, workgroups and Intranet are common ways to communicate internally about CSR. Websites, newsletters and sponsorships are common channels for external CSR communication. Personnel communication is an important way to stand close to society: participation in sustainable networks, initiatives for social interests and community projects. The involvement and communication with stakeholders need to become more structured, in order to professionalize and optimize CSR efforts. Managerial recommendations will be made external designs as the internal way of doing business need to be created, by making CSR relevant for all employees in the ar architect to drawer and from project manager to is known what CSR means for the organization, CSR needs to be organized within the enterprise. The best way of organizing CSR, is when CSR is embedded in both strategy organizational culture. Use CSR in protocols and within the organizational culture by presentations and communicate them internally. Architectural of construction by only cooperating with partners that also act upon CSR. Building partners and suppliers should therefore extensively been que efforts externally: be good and tell it! channels, it is recommended that employees participate in social interests networks or community projects. Limitations of this research which provide organizational characteristics of the inv mainly managerial level. Research at the operational different external stakeholders and value CSR
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Clients:
bct architecten, ingenieurs en adviseurs
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:85 business administration, organizational science
Programme:Business Administration MSc (60644)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/60171
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