ILPC 2027

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives are underpinned by the notion that organizations have a responsibility to the communities within which they function. Whilst there is nothing novel about organizations  supporting local communities – classic examples of corporate philanthropy being Rowntree’s and Levehulme – more recent CSR activities tend to focus on the global issues of environmental practices, labour standards and human rights. Consequently, there is little work on more micro level contributions or the informal role that organizations can play in supporting local communities and fostering community identity.

The UK is still in the wake of the financial crisis, confronted by high levels of unemployment and inevitable reductions in household income for the majority of the population. Moreover, the General Register Office for Scotland predicts that in 2011 37% of households will be single occupancy, increasing to 44% by 2031. In the UK as a whole, unemployment is around 7.7% with the actual employment rate for those aged from 16 to 64 being about 70.7%. All these factors lead to increasing social isolation. From Durkheim’s (1897) work and beyond, we know that ‘excessive individuation’ can damage individuals’ mental health, which can be mitigated by integration into the community.  Interactions with relatives, friends and neighbours can contribute to individuals’ well-being (Rogers et al., 2009). However, there is evidence that sociability, even that which is separate from close personal ties – anonymous community interactions - can improve people’s lives (Pan Ke’ Shon, 2007).

The academic literature examining the impact that organizations can have on their local community is limited despite some high profile community outreach programmes e.g. the Royal Bank of Scotland’s recent advertising campaign as well as evidence that such initiatives have clear benefits for the employees. Bartel (2001) found that employees’ experiences and involvement in community outreach programmes improved the esteem that workers derived from working within the company, as well as enhancing employees’ organizational identification. This paper will look at the reciprocal relationship between organizations and the local communities in which they are operating. The work will particularly focus on the benefits that organizations operating within urban communities can provide by offering a social focus and social support (whether informal or formal) to residents and also the positive benefit that social integration can provide to employees and to their status of their employing organization.

References

Bartel, C.A. (2001) ‘Social Comparisons in Boundary-spanning Work: Effects of Community Outreach on Members’ Organizational Identity and Identification’. Administrative Science Quarterly, 46, 379-413.

Durkheim, E. (1897) Suicide. The Free Press. Reprint 1997.

Pan Ke’ Shon, J. L. (2007) ‘Residents' Perceptions of their Neighbourhood: Disentangling Dissatisfaction, a French Survey’. Urban Studies,  44 (11), 2231-2268.

Rogers, A. E., Huxley, P., Evans, S., and Gately, C. (2008) ‘More than jobs and houses: mental health, quality of life and the perceptions of locality in an area undergoing urban regeneration’. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol, 43:364–372.