CSR and Competitiveness—Essential of the Corporate India and its Sustainability

Book excerpt: The business landscape is changing fast with the rapid globalization. Society expectations from corporate are increasing and CSR is being perceived as a tool to help secure a sustainable competitive advantage by integrating social and business goals. This book provides an overview and represents current developments in Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability, CSR concepts, initiatives, infrastructures and needs, methods, especially focusing on the needs of SMEs. In this book through contributions and chapters we explore the concept of competitiveness in relation to CSR. Research articles and chapters from the practitioners, consultants and academicians would enlighten the readers as to how competitive advantage can be generated through creating stakeholder engagement through the CSR initiatives. Some real world Case Studies are included elaborating the contribution of CSR to short term profits as well as to long term competitiveness. These Case Studies from Indian Corporate and abroad, well represent the challenges and opportunities for the businesses to implement the CSR initiatives, resulting in community development. Thus, the contributions in this book represent a triangle between the Corporate, Academics and Research; used to implement the CSR Activities in the Indian and Global context. This book is being published as a reference material for all the stakeholders of today's business who have some interest in the area of CSR & Sustainability. It would provide a real world scenario for further exploration of Social Upliftment opportunities and the competitive advantages to the corporate.