Integration of Innovation in CSR Practices

26.03.2018.

The European Circular Economy Stakeholder Platform is a virtual open space which aims at promoting Europe's transition to a circular economy by facilitating policy dialogue among stakeholders and by disseminating activities, information, and good practices on the circular economy. Stakeholders can take part in the Platform by participating in the annual conference and by interacting on the website to look for good practices, to engage with other stakeholders and to share their own good practices and events

15.03.2018.

It is currently estimated that there are approximately 1 million users of company cars in the UK alone, with a vast proportion of these cars being diesel. Diesel cars were promoted as a more environmentally friendly option compared to petrol by the EU in 1997, however, research has since proven that this isn’t necessarily the case and both cars harm the environment in similar ways. In 2017, the Guardian revealed that European data proves that modern diesel cars produce 10 times more toxic air pollution...

15.03.2018.

GDPR raises a number of issues cutting across data economy, ICT regulation, consumer trust, human rights and protection of privacy. Companies need to learn how to adapt to these new regulations but also to the demands of their stakeholders, as consumers are increasingly requesting improved cyber security. There is an increasing demand that companies include cyber security and data protection into their corporate social responsibility efforts.

14.03.2018.

The impact of corporate social responsibility strategies can already be felt on the global level. Many companies have understood the benefits for business and society in implementing corporate social responsibility strategies. It is of special importance that large enterprises undertake corporate social responsibility strategies because there is a potential for a large impact, both socially and environmentally.

12.03.2018.

China keeps promise and shuts down its ivory trade. Costa Rica is the leader in electricity production from renewable sources and a Dutch studio designs city benches from plastic waste.
The day of 31st December 2017 is an important one for animal rights defenders in China. The country officially shut down all legal, government-licensed ivory trade.

12.03.2018.

2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals accepted by all UN member countries propose universal program to be implemented in every country. The member countries committed to achieve 17 development goals before the year 2030 and the progress will be monitored continuously according to an accepted set of indicators. How did Slovakia do in 2017? The worst score was achieved in meeting the goal Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure...

12.03.2018.

There is a growing need for implementing corporate social responsibility strategies on a global level. How a multinational company can play a good role can be seen on the example of Volkswagen Company. In their corporate social responsibility report there is a section stating that the company is undertaking almost 200 corporate social responsibility projects worldwide.

14.02.2018.

Germany is one of the world’s most sustain¬able industrialized nations. This is the conclusion reached by an international comparative study of the 34 OECD member states conducted by the Bertelsmann Foundation in 2015. Against the backdrop of the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals, the countries were systematically analyzed for the first time on the basis of 34 indicators...

15.10.2017.

We often see, both in CSR and in social entrepreneurship, old goods in a new coat, something that has been here before, has already been done, but got dusted off. Often, we see projects that impact a life of an individual. And these are great inspirational steps in promoting social responsibility and civic engagement. However, it shouldn’t be forgotten that when we work on lowering our carbon emissions or promote inclusiveness in a workplace, we don’t aim for influencing one office space...

25.09.2017.

In Germany, there is an established institutional culture regarding CSR. Although the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs is at the helm of federal CSR activities, the National CSR Forum was launched by the Labour Ministry in 2009. It is composed of 41 high-ranking experts from the private sector, trade unions, NGOs, academia and representatives of the competent Federal Ministries.

23.08.2017.

In 2016, Ekvilib Institute launched a new product – Socially responsible Company Certificate (CSR certificate). Certificate was developed as part of a pilot project involving six Slovenian companies. The project lasted from September 2015 to September 2016, when the analyses were completed, and officially ended in October with the awarding of certificates.

30.06.2017.

Since the launch of the Healthy Future 2015 in 2010, Johnson and Johnson have worked to advance global health, increase sustainability among suppliers and advance community wellness. In 2015, with the launch of the Citizenship & Sustainability 2020 they establish a more ambitious set of goals which will aims to help more people live healthier lives through ideas generated, products made and good habits created over the years.

30.06.2017.

Many cities across the globe are now facing serious challenges driven by air pollution, which causes serious breathing problems of their citizens. Respected sources have reported that as much as 1.48 trillion euros is lost annually in Europe due to polluted air.

05.06.2017.

During the second Hi4CSR learning activity in Berlin which took place from 15th to 19th of May 2017 at Steinbeis University Berlin, dr. Robert Gerlach gave a presentation on the topic of Sustainable Innovation in front of the Hi4SCR consortium.

01.06.2017.

We spend about a third of our lives at work, most of us indoors. The environment we work in, therefore, has a significant impact on our physical and mental health as well as on our motivation and performance. Despite this, very few people are interested in what qualities our offices possess...

01.05.2017.

For the topic of Stimulating the Processing of Used Materials as an integral part of the Hi4CSR Learning Activity, there will be a one day study tour with the theme of The Responsible City, since the host city of Berlin is at the forefront when it comes to sustainability, innovative circular economy solutions and green initiatives.

28.04.2017.

A study from the Stanford Graduate School of Business revealed that 90% of MBAs from business schools in Europe and North America prefer working for organizations committed to social responsibility. Ethics and integrity, it seems, win out over financial reward. Millennials support companies that do good, making social entrepreneurship a smart business model to follow.

30.03.2017.

During the Learning Activity in Berlin, beside their work in round tables on innovation, project partners will have the opportunity to get familiar with the work of Steinbeis Institute Corporate Responsibility Management.

02.03.2017.

There are plenty of topics. All that remains is choosing the ones that are the most important for the company stakeholders and the company itself. The report should describe what has happened during a so-called reporting period. It is defined as the time period for which the company describes its results – usually one calendar year.

02.03.2017.

Circular economy represents a new alternative to a traditional linear economy based on “take-make-consume-dispose” patterns. The re-circulation of materials in economy helps keep resources in the production process as long as possible and use them to the maximum of their value. Producing with lesser impact on the environment and evaluating the impact of products during their entire life cycles already at their design stage are, however, only the first step.

17.02.2017.

The following learning activity will take place in Berlin, from May 15th to May 19th 2017. Participants of the learning activity will be members of the consortium consisted of eight renowned European organizations in the field of CSR.

26.01.2017.

The majority of researchers agree that fossil and non-renewable resources will not be sufficient to satisfy the global energy needs in the future. A transition to natural and renewable resources is necessary to preserve the environment, due to the scarcity of traditional sources. In this context, green economy can be considered a viable alternative paradigm that preserves growth expectations while protecting the earth’s ecosystems.

In Europe more than 7 million 15-24 year olds in Europe are neither in employment, education or training (NEETs). There are still more than 4.4 million early leavers from education and training. They are missing out on the opportunity to learn and acquire skills, knowledge and competencies that they could use throughout their lives in order to participate fully in the development of a prosperous and inclusive society.

While more than one year has passed since the adoption of the UN “Transforming Our World” agenda, we are still getting familiar with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular in terms of the role that business has in the agenda.

While CSR is considered to be an important business competence in Germany, innovation has as much significance in leading companies and the country towards a sustainable future. It is more and more expected that companies improve their CSR processes and programs by integrating innovation as a complementary element.

Entrepreneurship and innovation are two concepts that go hand in hand. Entrepreneurs translate ideas into novel products, services or business models and processes. While starting up their businesses, corporate responsibility is usually not in the agenda of entrepreneurs.