COVID-19 In Ireland: An investigation into COVID-19 in Ireland and if it acted as a catalyst for the emergence of a new model of CSR

Waters, Karina (2020) COVID-19 In Ireland: An investigation into COVID-19 in Ireland and if it acted as a catalyst for the emergence of a new model of CSR. Masters thesis, Dublin, National College of Ireland.

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Abstract

The primary rationale of this dissertation is to determine if COVID-19 in Ireland has acted as a catalyst for the emergence of a ‘new model’ of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The methodology embraces an inductive approach which, according to Flick (2011), is best used for qualitative research. The research design adopts an intrinsic and exploratory case study. Intrinsic case studies permit the researcher to understand a unique phenomenon Stake (2005) while the exploratory case study approach will permit the researcher to answer how and why questions (Yin 2003). The interpretivist approach is adopted as this approach allows the researcher to delve beyond facts, figures, and statistics and to gain valuable insights into ‘social worlds. Saunders. Et al. (2015). This approach is conducted in the form of a qualitative semi-structured interview of seven senior managers representing various industries. The interviews are designed to permit comparison of replies and insights into CSR during COVID-19 in Ireland. The responses from these interviews appraise the findings against the current literature review. Previous research has suggested that there has been little evolution in CSR in the past three decades, (Carroll 2016). This research will identify if COVID-19 in Ireland has signalled an evolution in CSR. The researcher will determine if this time of liminality has acted as a catalyst to strengthen the ‘contract’ between organisations and society. Donaldson, T. (1995). The case study will highlight the senior managers perspective of CSR and what it means within their organisation. It will reveal past and present strategies of CSR engagement and ultimately answer the main research question through several key areas. From the following objectives, the main research question poses how COVID-19 in Ireland catalysed the emergence of a ‘new model’ of CSR.
1. During COVID-19 in Ireland did CSR remain a strategic business decision (for financial gain) or did it become a voluntary action in a bid to assist society in one of its most vulnerable times to date.
2. Did COVID-19 in Ireland see Senior Managers displaying a more significant commitment to stakeholders.
3. Did COVID-19 strengthen the ‘social contract’ between organisations and society.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > Large Industry. Corporations. > Corporate Governance
Divisions:	School of Business > Master of Science in Management
Depositing User:	Dan English
Date Deposited:	06 Feb 2021 15:24
Last Modified:	06 Feb 2021 15:24
URI:	https://norma.ncirl.ie/id/eprint/4691

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