CSR och lönsamhet i tre dimensioner
Praktiska exempel, Economic Value Added och tidigare forskning
Title: CSR and profitability in three dimensions ? practical examples, Economic Value Added and previous researchAuthors: Linda-Marie Emilsson & Martina Classon Subject: Business AdministrationDate: 2011-05-26Mentor: Krister BredmarProblem description: Scientists have for a very long time disagreed about whether or not companies should work with Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and if there is any correlation between CSR and profitability. There are mainly three different views according the correlation: CSR have a neutral impact on financial performance, CSR have a positive impact on profitability and CSR have a negative impact on profitability. One of the reasons behind the disagreement is the complexity measuring CSR. Scientist claims that EVA is a measure that can be used to measure the correlation between CSR and profitability. Purpose: The intention with our essay is to find out if there is any correlation between CSR and profitability. Another intention with our paper is to find out what kind of potential competitive advantages CSR is creating for a company.Method: To achieve the intention the study is based on an inductive approach and a combination of qualitative and quantitative strategies. The empirical data consists of interviews with our respondents and the calculation of the selected companies EVA-value from historical financial statements. Conclusions: The calculation of Economic Value Added shows a low positive correlation between profitability and CSR. But previous research and the practical examples from the selected companies shows a strong positive correlation between CSR and profitability. The three dimensions together shows that CSR creates value and positively affect the financial performance, due to that we claim a positive correlation between CSR and profitability. CSR is also creating competitive advantages for companies by improving reputation and image, attracting workers, keeping and attracting new customers and also by reducing costs due to eco-efficiency.