The buck stops here: should we consider performance rather than corporate social responsibility?

Abstract

[Abstract]: Consensus is emerging that companies are socially responsible although the nature and degree of social responsibility continues to be the source of debate. This continued debate allows the buck to be passed. A shift in view from corporate social responsibility to corporate performance (CSP) is proposed as a means to assess CSR policies and practices. A harmful product category was chosen to illustrate how we can assess corporate social performance using a consumers’ point of view. Australian alcohol marketers are currently considered socially responsible promoting an “enjoy responsibly message” amongst many other policies and programs. A shift in view from corporate social responsibility to corporate performance (CSP) would change the outcome. Consumers are not fully aware of safe consumption levels of alcohol and these data are consistent with US and UK studies. A shift in view would suggest that companies need to revise their policies and practices and some recommendations for practice are made.