Corporate Social Responsibility as a Source of Innovation: Company Practices in Poland

Abstract

Most companies realize some form of corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities with increasing pressure to deliver business results. These companies are usually looking for CSR as a tool to recognize and develop initiatives that align with their business purpose and core values, but also usually to mitigate risk or promote philanthropy and ethical behaviors. However, for some CSR programs, companies refocus their activities to create CSR-driven innovations that produce real shared value. The purpose of this chapter is to define the nature of the link between CSR and innovation, with special attention to increasing awareness of responsible innovations as sources of real value to the business and their stakeholders. The chapter presents findings from theoretical and desk research on innovative practices of responsible corporations and small and medium-sized enterprises in the Polish market, and some propositions to introduce successful and sustainable CSR innovations with higher value.