Partnering for Impact: How Irish companies following a corporate social responsibility strategy can effectively partner with non-profit organisations

Sharkey, Eamon (2020) Partnering for Impact: How Irish companies following a corporate social responsibility strategy can effectively partner with non-profit organisations. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has a long and varied history and continues to defy a singular definition or practice. Despite this, it continues to grow as a field of study and as an area for companies to utilise in their pursuit of competitive advantage. Ireland has seen significant development in its CSR landscape in recent years and while there are many similarities to CSR practice elsewhere, there are also contextually unique characteristics. A particularly under-researched area of CSR practice in Ireland is company and non-profit partnerships. These partnerships regularly account for a significant part of a company’s CSR activity, supporting the objectives of companies in areas such as staff engagement, retention and recruitment, sustainability, brand positioning and the drive to be good ‘corporate citizens’.

This study will explore how Irish companies following a corporate social responsibility strategy can effectively partner with non-profit organisations. Company and non-profit partnerships are becoming increasingly prevalent as a method to support the achievement of organisational goals for both sides. However, these partnerships can be demanding, complex and contain power imbalances along with many other challenges.

To better understand the nature of these partnerships within the Irish CSR context, five in-depth interviews were completed with CSR professionals. Using an inductive approach and informed by a review of the existing literature, topics and issues were explored and identified data collection, analysis, and discussion. Key themes that emerged include; the importance of good relationship management and communications; effective to staff engagement; the role of strategic alignment and decision making; and how CSR practitioners and non-profit managers can better position themselves and their organisations for successful partnerships by focusing on these areas. Many themes that emerged provided opportunity for further exploration, suggesting further research in this area is warranted in the future to support the development of CSR practice and company and non-profit partnerships.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > Large Industry. Corporations. > Corporate Governance H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > Non Profit Organisations. Voluntary Sector.
Divisions:	School of Business > Master of Business Administration
Depositing User:	Dan English
Date Deposited:	23 Feb 2021 11:03
Last Modified:	23 Feb 2021 11:03
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/4802

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