Journal
JOURNAL OF BUSINESS ETHICS
Volume 116, Issue 3, Pages 615-627Publisher
SPRINGER
DOI: 10.1007/s10551-012-1498-9
Keywords
Corporate social responsibility; Ethical footprint; Instrumental CSR; Moral muteness; Semiotics; Terminology
Ask authors/readers for more resources
The purpose of this paper is to highlight the importance and impact of terminology used to describe corporate social responsibility (CSR). Through a review of key literature and concepts, we uncover how the economic business case has become the dominant driver behind CSR action. With reference to the literature on semiotics, connotative meaning and social marketing we explore how the terminology itself may have facilitated this co-opting of an ethical concept by economic interests. The broader issue of moral muteness and its relation to ethical behaviour is considered. We conclude by proposing a number of important attributes for any proposed terminology relating to ethical/socially responsible/sustainable business.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available