The Leader in Corporate Social Performance
7/17/2007
The book is very pricy compared to Jim Collins books. However, for a college textbook it is an average price.
As for what is inside the book, there is nothing average about it. The first edition of this book was published in in the 1960's by Prof's Keith Davis and Robert Blomstrom. Since then, it has been updated with new data that further proves the benefits of measuring a triple bottom line.
In Part 1, the authors introduce the argument for, and benefits of, Stakeholder Theory.
In Part 2, the doctrine of Corporate Social Responsibility is introduced, and demonstrates examples of how a firm can manage its relations with Stakeholders.
Part 3 is an excellent treatment of business ethics and why it is important to a profitable business model.
Part 4 discusses the effects of globalization, as well as management of government policy and treatment of anti-trust.
Part 5 discusses a company's responsibility to the environment and ecology.
Part 6 discusses the roles, challenges, and opportunities in technology.
Part 7 is the meatiest, and I argue the most valuable, portion of the book. It includes five chapters on building stakeholder relationships, to include the controversies in the Board of Directors and Officer compensation, consumer protection, labor relations, diversity, and media/public relations.
This book is more than just common sense. The organization provides for a great overview of the subject, including some topics you may not have thought of. The case studies are a fantastic way to dig deeper into the material. The strategies and real-world examples will benefit anyone who wishes to introduce more responsibility into their corporation and reap the benefits.
Without this book being required reading in business school, many students may never consider these topics, especially in the framework of Stakeholder Theory. I think the world will be a better place when more students are introduced to this textbook and embrace the ideas therein.