IMPACT – Corporate Social Responsibility in the EU

In IMPACT, 16 European research facilities are investigating how corporate social responsibility activities (CSR) contribute to the goals of the EU.

Research approach

Scientists involved in IMPACT are looking at the advantages and consequences of CSR for the environment and for society. IMPACT stands for "Impact Measurement and Performance Analysis of CSR". Based on an assessment approach, four research methods are combined: econometric analysis, case studies, network analysis and the Delphi study.  The project team analyses whether and how CSR impacts upon sustainability and competitive capability in the EU. Sectors under particular review here are the retail industry, the automotive industry, the construction industry, the textiles industry and the IT sector. One of the areas in which ISOE is involved is that of the case studies for the automotive sector.

The intention is that the results will help managers, politicians and local stakeholders to gain a better appreciation of the actual impact and thus be better able to gauge it.

Background

The project is the largest research project on corporate social responsibility ever funded by the EU. Since 2001, the European Commission has defined social and ecological corporate responsibility as a voluntary contribution on the part of businesses toward the European goals of competitiveness, social solidarity, job quality, and responsibility for the environment. But the actual contribution of CSR towards a sustainable development is a matter of debate.

Project Consortium

Öko Institut e.V.
EABIS – The Academy of Business in Society
Copenhagen Business School
Foundation CentERdata
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven / Center for Economics and Ethics
Vlerick Leuven Gent Management School
Central European University Business School – CEU BS
Aalto School of Economics (ASE)
International Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility (ICCSR), Nottingham University Business School, UK
IESE Business School
INSEAD
Institute for Social-Ecological Research (ISOE)
Kozminski University (ALK)
MIP Politecnico di Milano
Tilburg University – Sustainability Center
Vienna University of Economics and Business – Research Institute for Managing Sustainability
Zentrum für Europäische Wirtschaftsforschung GmbH, Mannheim – Centre for European Economic Research, ZEW

Funding

7th European Framework Programme