Strategic CSR

Social and environmental consideration is one of the great strengths of Danish businesses, and efforts in this area can help enhance businesses’ competitiveness and earnings. Businesses can earn the best revenues if their efforts are on a commercial basis and act as a supplement to the business’s core activities.

Strategic CSR is about focussing activities so that they suit the business’s other activities, challenges and market relations.  Therefore, a strategic approach is extremely beneficial for the business’s CSR work.

The significance of social and environmental considerations for the activities of businesses is emphasised by the fact that in recent years there has been increasingly sharp focus on corporate responsibility, both in Denmark and abroad. Many businesses can see that customers and investors are demanding that the business can account for its visions and activities in relation to CSR. Consumers are also becoming increasingly concerned about the products they put into their shopping baskets, and media focus on the area has given rise to greater public debate about corporate responsibility.

All this has led to a situation in which it is becoming more worthwhile for businesses to address CSR in their business strategy and integrate activities in their core business.

Traditional charitable activities are also an important contribution to positive developments in society, but they are different from corporate social responsibility as they are not necessarily based on creating value for the business.

• More on CSR in the Danish Action Plan