Definition
In order to ground CSR action in sustainable improvement and enhancement of life chances (versus temporary respite of straightened circumstances and maintenance of low aspiration and norms) we built on Amartya Sen’s capabilities approach and in particular, his work on well-being and quality of life. We define a capabilities approach to CSR as one focused on how organizations engage in socially responsible activities that increase well-being and quality of life, specifically through enabling individual and community capabilities. The impact of CSR activity can be assessed by the extent to which it enables individuals and communities to accumulate and readily use social, economic, and environmental goods.
Crucially from a...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References and Readings
Bowen, H. R. (1953). Social responsibilities of the businessman. New York: Harper.
Cornelius, N., Todres, M., Janjuha-jivraj, S., Woods, A., & Wallace, J. (2007). The social enterprise and capacity, capabilities and quality of life. Journal of Business Ethics, 81, 355–370.
Garriga, E., & Mele, D. (2004). Corporate social responsibility theories: Mapping the territory. Journal of Business Ethics, 53, 51–71.
Haigh, M., & Jones, M. T. (2006). The drivers of corporate social responsibility: A critical review. Business Review, 5, 245–251.
Lawless, P. (2006). Area-based urban interventions: Rationale and outcomes: The new deal for communities programme in England. Urban Studies, 43, 1991–2011.
Sen, A. (1995). Inequality reexamined. New York: Clarendon Press.
Sen, A. (2009). The idea of justice. London: Allen Lane.
Swanson, D. L. (1995). Addressing a theoretical problem by reorienting the corporate social performance model. Academy of Management Review, 20, 43–64.
Takala, T., & Pallab, P. (2000). Individual, collective and social responsibility of the firm. Business Ethics: A European Review, 9, 109–118.
Welford, R. (2005). Corporate social responsibility in Europe, North America and Asia. Journal of Corporate Citizenship, 17, 33–52.
Windsor, D. (2006). Corporate social responsibility: Three key approaches. Journal of Management Studies, 43, 93–114.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this entry
Cite this entry
Cornelius, N., Wallace, J. (2013). View on the Ground: CSR from a Capabilities Approach. In: Idowu, S.O., Capaldi, N., Zu, L., Gupta, A.D. (eds) Encyclopedia of Corporate Social Responsibility. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-28036-8_640
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-28036-8_640
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-28035-1
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-28036-8
eBook Packages: Business and Economics