Great Expectations and Reasons for Taking Responsibility – A Study About the Business Case for CSR

Sammanfattning: Because societies, companies and people are different, there are different views on corporations' roles and responsibilities. The purpose of this study is to understand what, why and how some business organizations benefit and create business cases from corporate responsibilities and sustainability. It investigates which aspects motivates three companies, IKEA, Skanska and Trelleborg AB, using interviews and a qualitative intrinsic case study as method. The paper reveals multiple motives, tangible as well as intangible, which creates incentives and intentions for the companies to engage in CSR. Requirements, expectations and desires from an increasing number of stakeholders, with diverse influence and power, are creating different kinds of opportunities, necessities and constraints. Depending on which industry the companies belong to, and which issues are addressed, they can create different types of value, e.g. reduce risks, costs and gain legitimacy and competitive advantage, at times simultaneously. Towards whom or what they have a responsibility determines the character of their responsibilities, and further decides how they are able to yield returns to justify their expenditures. Dependency on others, and different levels of demand, is affecting their abilities to advance, and for several reasons they believe transparency and information are important aspects. Concerning certain complicated issues, cooperation is preferable and necessary.