Business in a globalised world is no longer only about profit. Companies that operate globally are increasingly being called to account over their social responsibilities to the workforce, local communities and the environment. Companies that take these responsibilities seriously are faced with a plethora of problems and dilemmas. For example, how can companies navigate the sea of tension between observing international rules of conduct and responding to specific local cultural circumstances? How can they ensure social responsibility in the product chain(s) in which they operate? And how can they best contribute to the local economy of developing countries?

This book helps companies with good intentions but little experience to find answers to these questions and many others. The book offers concrete guidelines, step-by-step plans and practical examples based on the experiences of 20 diverse, large, medium and small companies that participated in the three-year Dutch programme 'Corporate Social Responsibility in an International Context' organised by CSR Netherlands. Corporate Social Responsibility and Globalisation constitutes a guidebook and action plan to enable companies of all sizes to manage risk and seek out opportunities for engagement in their overseas operations.

Cramer offers practical advice on how multinationals, small or large, can strike a balance between meeting global and local stakeholder expectations in terms of their code of conduct, supply chain responsibility and contribution to the local economies in which they are operating. Using practical examples she presents a useful, easy to follow, step-by-step approach, applicable to any company. Chapter 7 outlines four world views on the future of CSR in an international context, emphasising either the global or the local perspective. A final summary chapter helps the busy reader to get a quick overview of the key learnings. A handy guide.
Corporate Citizenship Briefing, January 2007