CSR or just
greenwashing?

We hear that consumers are swapping to brands that have purpose, sustainability credentials, and genuinely care about positive impacts on society. 

How do we know when companies are serious about environmental and societal impact? How far do they go to ensure sustainability? What happens when we lose trust in environmental claims? 

When is CSR responsible management, and when is it actually greenwashing? We’ve brought together some of the latest research to investigate these questions.

If you want to talk to use about your work in any of these areas, we'd love you to fill in the form at the bottom of the page.

Expert opinion

Greenwashing – an opportunity for us to identify what is needed to bring the smaller firms on board?

Kevin Phun describes how research into greenwashing could help us to understand some of the gaps in implementation, find ways to improve initiatives, and identify best practice.

https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/opinion-and-blog/greenwashing-opportunit…

Is greenwashing fraud & how does it affect businesses?

The strategic corporate social responsibility (CSR) quandary: an instructional case

Emerald Emerging Markets Case Studies

A struggling manufacturer that had overlooked its CSR policy, uses the opportunity to improve brand visibility and public relations.

https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/EEMCS-12-2019-0344/full/html

To B or not to B: Etsy’s decision whether to re-incorporate as a public benefit corporation and maintain its B Lab certification

The CASE Journal

Established as a socially responsible corporation, later gaining B Corp status, did Etsy's mission change after going public?

https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/TCJ-06-2018-0069/full/html

When will we balance profits with the planet and its people?

James Ring, CEO Ingenium

Independent thinker James Ring, former CEO of the Limerick Chamber, asks if we're the generation that's too greedy to action the changes required to balance profit with the planet.

https://www.emeraldgrouppublishing.com/opinion-and-blog/when-will-we-balance-pr…

Consequences of greenwashing - Does it make people care less about green issues? How can our trust be regained?

COVID-19 – the force for change in CSR? Is it testing companies' and employees' commitment? 

How does the global position affect CSR position?

featured book

CSR for purpose, shared value and deep transformation: the new responsibility

Virginia Munro describes her book that provides a framework for understanding the evolving role of the corporate dollar in the pursuit of a global ecosystem that is more inclusive of all stakeholders.

 

Other related books

Browse our other CSR-related titles 

Calls for papers

Got a paper to publish? Browse these calls ,or talk to us about publishing your work by using the form below.  

MISSION

Responsible leadership

Can leaders banish bias and increase inclusivity? How can corporate communications champion equity and diversity? We investigate the issues. 

Content alerts

Keep up-to-date with the latest research by signing up to journal and book series content alerts of your choice.

Sign up to content alerts

Talk to us about your work

We love hearing from researchers and practitioners about their work.

If you would like to contribute to this page please let us know by filling in this form. 

  • Current Your details
  • Area(s) of interest
  • Consent
0%
Name
Country

Mission-led research – our goals

Our core area of focus is interdisciplinary research aligned with the UN SDGs, with these key goals in mind, all of which are about creating real world impact, at a time when it's needed most.

Fairer society

We are passionate about working with researchers globally to deliver a fairer, more inclusive society. This perhaps has never been more important in today’s divided world...

SDGs

/our-goals/fairer-society

Healthier lives

We understand the value of a world that recognises and protects the most vulnerable and acknowledges the importance of a healthy mind as well as a healthy body...

SDGs

/our-goals/healthier-lives

Responsible management

We aim to champion researchers, practitioners, policymakers and organisations who share our goals of a more ethical, responsible and sustainable way of working...

SDGs

/our-goals/responsible-management

Quality education for all

We believe in quality education for everyone, everywhere and by highlighting the issue and working with experts in the field, we can find ways we can all be part of the solution...

SDGs

/our-goals/quality-education-for-all

Sustainable structures and infrastructures

We recognise the transformative power of sustainable engineering, design and building practices in creating a world where our planet and its inhabitants can thrive.

SDGs

/our-goals/sustainable-structures-and-infrastructures