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Corporate social responsibility for nanotechnology oversight

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Abstract

Growing public concern and uncertainties surrounding emerging technologies suggest the need for socially-responsible behavior of companies in the development and implementation of oversight systems for them. In this paper, we argue that corporate social responsibility (CSR) is an important aspect of nanotechnology oversight given the role of trust in shaping public attitudes about nanotechnology and the lack of data about the health and environmental risks of nanoproducts. We argue that CSR is strengthened by the adoption of stakeholder-driven models and attention to moral principles in policies and programs. In this context, we examine drivers of CSR, contextual and leadership factors that influence CSR, and strategies for CSR. To illustrate these concepts, we discuss existing cases of CSR-like behavior in nanotechnology companies, and then provide examples of how companies producing nanomedicines can exhibit morally-driven CSR behavior.

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Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the support of the Institute on the Environment at the University of Minnesota for portions of this work.

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  1. Hubert H. Humphrey Institute, University of Minnesota, 301 19th Ave. So., Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA

    Jennifer Kuzma

  2. Center for Science, Technology, and Public Policy, Humphrey Institute and Educational Policy and Administration, University of Minnesota, Minnesota, MN, USA

    Aliya Kuzhabekova

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  1. Jennifer Kuzma
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Correspondence to Jennifer Kuzma.

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Kuzma, J., Kuzhabekova, A. Corporate social responsibility for nanotechnology oversight. Med Health Care and Philos 14, 407–419 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11019-011-9330-3

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