The Impact of a Code of Conduct

Title: The Impact of a Code of Conduct: An Interpretative Case Study on the Implementation of CSR in Business Practice Seminar Date: June 4th 2010 Course: BUSM 18 – Degree Project Master Level in Managing People, Knowledge & Change Authors: Anna Pfeiffer & Marleen Prinsen Advisor: Stefan Sveningsson Thesis Purpose: The main purpose of this research is to critically examine Corporate Social Responsibility in organisational practice. Methodology: This research concerns an exploratory study, conducted from an interpretative, qualitative perspective. Theoretical Perspective: Previous research concerned with functional questions of ‘Why’, ‘What’ and ‘How’ CSR is, provide a theoretical basis. The inclusion of a more processual theoretical perspective and ‘understanding’ and ‘sensemaking’ as sensitising concepts provides ground to build on and go beyond previous functional perspectives in this research. Empirical Foundation: The empirical basis for this research was a case study of a company in the health industry. Triangulation of data sources was used, although interviews provide the main empirical basis. Conclusion: Employees behave in line with formal behavioural expectations. However, behaviour seems to be disconnected from the standards of conduct, based instead on organisational culture