Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Strategies and Instruments for Organising CSR by Small and Large Businesses in the Netherlands

  • Published:
Journal of Business Ethics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper analyses the use of strategies and instruments for organising ethics by small and large business in the Netherlands. We find that large firms mostly prefer an integrity strategy to foster ethical behaviour in the organisation, whereas small enterprises prefer a dialogue strategy. Both large and small firms make least use of a compliance strategy that focuses on controlling and sanctioning the ethical behaviour of workers. The size of the business is found to have a positive impact on the use of several instruments, like code of conduct, ISO certification, social reporting, social handbook and confidential person. Also being a subsidiary of a larger firm has a significant positive influence on the use of instruments. The most popular instrument used by small firms is to let one member of the board be answerable for ethical questions, which fits the informal culture of most small firms. With respect to sectorial differences, we find that firms in the metal manufacturing and construction sectors are more actively using formal instruments than firms in the financial service sector and retail sector. The distinction between family and non-family firms hardly affects the use of instruments.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adams, J. S., A. Tashchian and T. H. Shore: 2001, 'Codes of Ethics as Signals for Ethical Behavior', Journal of Business Ethics 29, 199-211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Etzioni, A.: 1988, The Moral Dimension. Towards a New Economics (The Free Press, New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • Graafland, J. J.: 2002a, 'Profits and Principles: Four Perspectives', Journal of Business Ethics 35, 293-305.

    Google Scholar 

  • Graafland, J. J.: 2002b, 'Sourcing Ethics in the Textile Sector: The Case of C&A', Business Ethics: A European Review 11(3) (July), 282-294.

    Google Scholar 

  • Graafland, J. J.: 2002c, 'Modelling the Trade Off Between Profits and Principles', De Economist 150, 129-154

    Google Scholar 

  • Graafland, J. J., B. W. van de Ven and N. C. G. M. Stoffele: 2002, Wat betekent maatschappelijk ondernemen concreet?, Tilburg University, www.uvt.nl/fww/cmo.

  • Hummels, H. and E. Karssing: 2000, 'Ethiek organiseren', in R. Jeurissen (ed.), Bedrijfsethiek een goede zaak (Van Gorcum, Assen), pp. 196-224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kaptein, M. and F. Buiter: 2001, De integere organisatie 2., Stichting Beroepsmoraal en Misdaadpreventie, Den Haag.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kohut, G. E. and S. E. Corriher: 1994, 'The Relationship of Age, Gender, Experience and Awareness of Written Ethics Policies to Business Decision Making', SAM Advanced Management Journal (Winter), 32-39.

  • Marnburg, E.: 2000, 'The Behavioural Effects of Corporate Ethical Codes: Empirical Findings and Discussion', Business Ethics: A European Review 9(3), 200-210.

    Google Scholar 

  • McIntosh, M., D. Leipziger, K. Jones and G. Coleman: 1998, Corporate Citizenship. Successful Strategies for Responsible Companies (Pitman Publishing, London).

    Google Scholar 

  • Sociaal Economische Raad (SER): 2001, Corporate Social Responsibility (Van Gorcum, Assen).

    Google Scholar 

  • Sharp Paine, L.: 1994, 'Managing for Organizational Integrity', Harvard Business Review 72, 106-117.

    Google Scholar 

  • Spence, L. J., R. Jeurissen and R. Rutherfoord: 2000, 'Small Business and the Environment in the UK and the Netherlands: Towards Cooperation', Business Ethics Quarterly 10(4), 945-965.

    Google Scholar 

  • Trevino, Linda K. and K. A. Nelson, 1999, Managing Business Ethics. Straight Talk About How To Do It Right (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ulrich, P., Y. Lunau and T. Weber: 1998, 'Ethikmassnahmen in der Unternehmenspraxis', in Ulrich, P. en J. Wieland (eds.), Unterhehmensethik in der Praxis. Impulse aus den USA, Deutschland und der Schweiz (Verlag Paul Haupt, Bern), 121-194.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van de Ven, B. W.: 1999, 'Strategische Freiheit, kommunikative Rationalität und moralische Verantwortung des Unternehmens', in H. G. Nutzinger und das Berliner Forum zur Wirtschaftsund Unternehmensethik (eds.), Wirtschafts-und Unternehmensethik: Kritik einer neuen Generation (Rainer Hampp Verlag, München und Mering).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Room P2211, Warandelaan 2, P.O. Box 90153, 5000 LE, Tilburg, The Netherlands

    Johan Graafland, Bert van de Ven & Nelleke Stoffele

Authors
  1. Johan Graafland
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Bert van de Ven
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Nelleke Stoffele
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Graafland, J., van de Ven, B. & Stoffele, N. Strategies and Instruments for Organising CSR by Small and Large Businesses in the Netherlands. Journal of Business Ethics 47, 45–60 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026240912016

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1026240912016

Search

Navigation