Business Behaving Well: Social Responsibility, from Learning to Doing

by Ron Elsdon (Editor)

Overview

Social responsibility has become a goal for both employers and employees in the business community. But what does the term “social responsibility” mean, and what paths must businesses take to make a positive impact on society? Business Behaving Well provides a rationale and roadmap that will enable businesses to integrate social responsibility into their purpose and operations. Using real-world examples from a broad variety of industries, including health care and education, Ron Elsdon and his contributors describe how nonprofit and public sector entities can structure effective relationships with private firms for everyone’s benefit. Addressing strategic issues as well as practical implementation, Business Behaving Well is for anyone who is actively engaged in the business world, individuals working in the public and nonprofit sectors, and students and faculty who study the relationship between business and social issues. Business Behaving Well provides both the tools and structure to apply principles of business social responsibility while inspiring readers with enthusiasm and the confidence to take action.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781612342948
Publisher:	Potomac Books
Publication date:	01/01/2013
Pages:	272
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

RON ELSDON is a founder of Elsdon, Inc., Elsdon Organizational Renewal, and New Beginnings Career and College Guidance, specializing in providing career and workforce development for organizations and individuals. He is the author of Affiliation in the Workplace: Value Creation in the New Organization (Praeger, 2003) and the editor of Building Workforce Strength: Creating Value through Workforce and Career Development (Praeger, 2010). He holds a PhD from Cambridge University and lives in Danville, California.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations ix

Preface xi

Acknowledgments xiii

Introduction Ron Elsdon 1

Part I Principles, Framework, and Applications

1 Integrating Needs So We All Benefit Ron Elsdon 13

2 Corporate Social Responsibility: Lessons from Educational Practice in an Emerging Democracy Megan Roberts Roller Emet Mohr Pearl Sims 25

3 Understanding and Assessing Corporate Social Responsibility in Organizations Richard Vicenzi 40

4 Partnerships between the For-Profit and Nonprofit Sectors Barbara Langsdale 56

5 Government as a Business Partner in the Pursuit of Social Responsibility Andrew Domek 68

Part II Exploring Examples

6 Pro Bono Service: Driving Social Impact with Professional Skills Aaron Hurst 81

7 Public/Private Sector Collaboration Linda Williams 95

8 Healthcare as Social Responsibility: Implications for Business Deborah LeVeen 107

9 Social Responsibility, Healthcare Equity, and Workforce Planning Allyne Beach Laura Long Bob Redlo 138

10 Labor-Management Partnerships: A Collaborative Path toward Improved Business Results and Employee Satisfaction Zeth Ajemian 150

11 Financial Institutions and Social Responsibility Jim Leatherberry 168

Concluding Thoughts Ron Elsdon 183

Appendix A Income Inequality and Gross National Income per Capita 195

Appendix B Modeling Income, Spending, and Inequality 199

Notes 207

Selected Bibliography 239

Index 241

About the Contributors 251

Editorial Reviews

"Ron Elsdon and his contributors provide a framework for social responsibility and how it can be put into action. Many inspiring examples bring this topic to life while also demonstrating the need for more action to counter rising inequality in our society. This is a very approachable book."—Jurgen Auerbach, CEO, Pronatec AG, Switzerland

Jurgen Auerbach

"Many organizations, including ours, are deep in dialogue on the corporate role as it relates to social responsibility for our customers, our associates, and our business partners. This book provides valuable information to help organizations make that connection."—Audrey Southard, senior vice president, human resources, Follett Higher Education Group

Audrey Southard

"In this time of deep, pervasive mistrust and disillusionment with many of our institutions, including business, this book addresses a topic that receives far too little attention—the nature and practice of social responsibility. Exploring the integration of social concern into a wide variety of settings, it demonstrates that there is always opportunity to strengthen our commitment to the common good—and that we will profit from doing so."—Patricia Snyder, PhD, RN, retired nurse executive, chair, Health Care for All—California, Contra Costa County

Patricia Snyder

"This book is an excellent compilation of thought leadership in the field of social responsibility. We have come to a point in history where human development necessitates that we listen to our inner voice of fairness and do the right thing for all stakeholders in fields of life we can influence. This book makes this clear and is a must read for our generation and generations to come."—Mark A. Finser, chair of the boards of RSF Social Finance and New Resource Bank

Mark A. Finser

"Business Behaving Well clearly lays out why being socially responsible is good for business, and how transparency in communication and relationships with the community—stakeholders, not just shareholders—is also good for business."—David Knego, executive director, Curry Senior Center

David Knego

"I really appreciate the suggestion that we reinforce practices that create safe, secure, and supportive working environments that honor all. During this time of hardship in our economy, if we all started supporting policies that benefit our society broadly, we could help our country to become a better place to live."—Pat Demasters, director, Career Management Group, UC Berkeley, Haas School of Business

Pat Demasters

"This book is an excellent compilation of thought leadership in the field of social responsibility. We have come to a point in history where human development necessitates that we listen to our inner voice of fairness and do the right thing for all stakeholders in fields of life we can influence. This book makes this clear and is a must read for our generation and generations to come."—Mark A. Finser, chair of the boards of RSF Social Finance and New Resource Bank

"I really appreciate the suggestion that we reinforce practices that create safe, secure, and supportive working environments that honor all. During this time of hardship in our economy, if we all started supporting policies that benefit our society broadly, we could help our country to become a better place to live."—Pat Demasters, director, Career Management Group, UC Berkeley, Haas School of Business

"In this time of deep, pervasive mistrust and disillusionment with many of our institutions, including business, this book addresses a topic that receives far too little attention—the nature and practice of social responsibility. Exploring the integration of social concern into a wide variety of settings, it demonstrates that there is always opportunity to strengthen our commitment to the common good—and that we will profit from doing so."—Patricia Snyder, PhD, RN, retired nurse executive, chair, Health Care for All—California, Contra Costa County

"Many organizations, including ours, are deep in dialogue on the corporate role as it relates to social responsibility for our customers, our associates, and our business partners. This book provides valuable information to help organizations make that connection."—Audrey Southard, senior vice president, human resources, Follett Higher Education Group

"Ron Elsdon and his contributors provide a framework for social responsibility and how it can be put into action. Many inspiring examples bring this topic to life while also demonstrating the need for more action to counter rising inequality in our society. This is a very approachable book."—Jurgen Auerbach, CEO, Pronatec AG, Switzerland

"Business Behaving Well clearly lays out why being socially responsible is good for business, and how transparency in communication and relationships with the community—stakeholders, not just shareholders—is also good for business."—David Knego, executive director, Curry Senior Center

"A critical analysis of social responsibility through the lenses of different kinds of organizations and sectors, with examples and principles for practical implementation throughout.The perspectives from multiple contributors fully engage the reader. Clearly provides a call to action for individuals, businesses, nonprofits and the public sector to work together to make this a better society for all."—Dorothy M. Moser, vice president, human resources, Easter Seals, Inc.

From the Publisher