Unternehmensverantwortung als Vermeidung relevanter Inkonsistenzen / Corporate Responsibility: The Avoidance of Relevant Inconsistencies

Suchanek Andreas

ORDO. Jahrbuch für die Ordnung von Wirtschaft und Gesellschaft, 2012, vol. 63, issue 1, 241-260

Abstract: Markets are based on individual freedom and, as a consequence, on a responsible exercise of this freedom. This holds also true for corporate actors and their (corporate) responsibility.This contribution develops a conception of corporate responsibility which is effectively addressed to corporate representatives and offers them two imperatives of ethical corporate behavior as heuristics. These heuristics offer focal points for the acceptance and fulfillment of corporate responsibility. The imperatives are derived from an understanding of corporate responsibility which recognizes the maintenance of trustworthiness and thereby, the reputation for being a reliable cooperation partner, as the foundation for sustainable value creation. Behaviors - and communication - which undermine the corporation′s trustworthiness are thereby irresponsible. Based on this understanding of corporate responsibility, the concept of relevant inconsistencies is utilized to provide further clarity on the issues at hand. The concept refers to inconsistencies between the expectations held by cooperation partners (stakeholders)based on their role as trust-givers and (perceived) behaviors of the trusttaker (the corporation) which (can) lead to the trustful nature of the relationship being undermined. The qualification as ‘relevant’ is important in reference to the fact that many inconsistencies may arise in daily business which do not have grave consequences. As a result, a systematic approach to corporate responsibility requires corporations to concentrate on identifying - and insofar as possible, implementing mechanisms to avoid - relevant inconsistencies in cooperative relationships. This includes the identification and amendment of structural conditions which may lead to relevant inconsistencies materializing.

Date: 2012
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DOI: 10.1515/ordo-2012-0118

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