Business and NGOs are seen by many to be locked in a perpetual war of values and ideologies. What this book demonstrates is that the war has moved on. Many companies are now engaging with their stakeholders - even those with which they have traditionally had antagonistic relationships - as part of their strategies for improved social and environmental performance. With contributions from an outstanding and diverse group of experts from business, consultancy, research institutes, NGOs and academia, Terms for Endearment investigates the how and why of these new collaborations and provides concrete examples of business working with stakeholder pressure for sustainable development. The book forcibly argues the notion of organizations of civil society setting the standards for business behaviour in the 21st century. For those companies that choose not to pursue high standards of social and environmental performance, confrontation with NGOs must be expected, with negative consequences for sales, costs and social capital, i.e. the bottom line. Terms for Endearment therefore presents business with both a threat and opportunity as we move closer to establishing a social basis for global economic activity.

* Analyzes key issues, events and trends in corporate responsibility during the 21st century* Examines the impact of the corporate responsibility movement* Presents a new vision of capitalism* Explains how leaders and stakeholders need to address flaws in contemporary capitalism* Sequel and companion to "The Corporate Responsibility Movement"* Drawn on Lifeworth s annual CR reviewsDrawing on Lifeworth s annual Corporate Responsibility (CR) reviews, this book investigates the key events, issues and trends in corporate responsibility from the onset of the financial crisis. It considers what the impact of the corporate responsibility movement has been and presents a vision and practice of a new form of capitalism.The global response from business to social and environmental issues during the past decade has created a corporate responsibility movement. But what has been the impact of this movement? The financial crisis that began in 2007 has led more and more people to question the fundamentals of our economic system. Now, some within the corporate responsibility movement are developing a vision and practice of a new form of capitalism, one that will require collective action to achieve.Bendell and Doyle draw on Lifeworth s annual reviews of corporate responsibility and propose a wellness framework whereby business is a conduit for enhancing life and the systems that support it. They explain how business leaders, stakeholders and related academe now need to experiment with new models that address the fundamental flaws of contemporary capitalism, including monetary systems, enterpriseownership, and regulation.This book will be a fantastic resource for business libraries, as it records and analyzes key events, issues and trends in corporate responsibility during the first decade of the 21st century. It is a sequel and companion to Bendell s previous work, "The Corporate Responsibility Movement" (Greenleaf Publishing, 2009)."

By bringing together their respective competencies and resources for the greater good, governments, business, civil society and multilateral agencies have been seeking innovative ways to work together to respond to the myriad global challenges of our time: the impact of climate change; human security; the prevention, care and treatment of HIV/AIDS and other major diseases; the generation of new investment, entrepreneurship and employment; and financing for development. The appetite for such partnerships appears strong. Over 90% of corporate executives responding to a World Economic Forum survey felt that future partnerships between business, government and civil society would play either a major role or some role in addressing key development challenges. This trend will only be increased by the Western financial crisis and the retreat of the state from many areas of societal concern.

Business and NGOs are seen by many to be locked in a perpetual war of values and ideologies. What this book demonstrates is that the war has moved on. Many companies are now engaging with their stakeholders - even those with which they have traditionally had antagonistic relationships - as part of their strategies for improved social and environmental performance. With contributions from an outstanding and diverse group of experts from business, consultancy, research institutes, NGOs and academia, Terms for Endearment investigates the how and why of these new collaborations and provides concrete examples of business working with stakeholder pressure for sustainable development. The book forcibly argues the notion of organizations of civil society setting the standards for business behaviour in the 21st century. For those companies that choose not to pursue high standards of social and environmental performance, confrontation with NGOs must be expected, with negative consequences for sales, costs and social capital, i.e. the bottom line. Terms for Endearment therefore presents business with both a threat and opportunity as we move closer to establishing a social basis for global economic activity.

* Analyzes key issues, events and trends in corporate responsibility during the 21st century* Examines the impact of the corporate responsibility movement* Presents a new vision of capitalism* Explains how leaders and stakeholders need to address flaws in contemporary capitalism* Sequel and companion to "The Corporate Responsibility Movement"* Drawn on Lifeworth s annual CR reviewsDrawing on Lifeworth s annual Corporate Responsibility (CR) reviews, this book investigates the key events, issues and trends in corporate responsibility from the onset of the financial crisis. It considers what the impact of the corporate responsibility movement has been and presents a vision and practice of a new form of capitalism.The global response from business to social and environmental issues during the past decade has created a corporate responsibility movement. But what has been the impact of this movement? The financial crisis that began in 2007 has led more and more people to question the fundamentals of our economic system. Now, some within the corporate responsibility movement are developing a vision and practice of a new form of capitalism, one that will require collective action to achieve.Bendell and Doyle draw on Lifeworth s annual reviews of corporate responsibility and propose a wellness framework whereby business is a conduit for enhancing life and the systems that support it. They explain how business leaders, stakeholders and related academe now need to experiment with new models that address the fundamental flaws of contemporary capitalism, including monetary systems, enterpriseownership, and regulation.This book will be a fantastic resource for business libraries, as it records and analyzes key events, issues and trends in corporate responsibility during the first decade of the 21st century. It is a sequel and companion to Bendell s previous work, "The Corporate Responsibility Movement" (Greenleaf Publishing, 2009)."

Corporate social responsibility is now an established agenda for large companies, with a new profession emerging that engages in the social and environmental contribution of business. How has this agenda emerged over time? What were the key events and actors? How has this new "movement" of committed individuals been taking shape around the globe? Insights into these questions come from a review of the first half of first decade of the 21st century. The Corporate Responsibility Movement compiles Lifeworth's highly praised Annual Reviews of Corporate Responsibility from 2001 to 2005. It is introduced with a new overview by the lead author of those reviews, Dr Jem Bendell, in a piece that examines the trajectory of a new social movement in and around business. At a time of searching questions about the future of finance, Dr Bendell argues that a new concept of "capital democracy" is emerging from within the community of people working towards corporate responsibility, which could be mainstreamed as a socially and environmentally enhanced system of economy. He calls on professionals, researchers and policy-makers to embrace an ambitious agenda for corporate responsibility and develop greater insight into acting together as a movement for change. This book is an essential resource for business libraries, recording, analysing and contextualising some of the key events, issues and trends during this historic period in the development of the corporation.