Corporate social responsibility for the knowledge intensive services sector

The following research examines current approaches to corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the knowledge intensive services sector of industry. The primary aim of this research is the development of a conceptual framework that informs the development and continuous review of the CSR process for businesses that operate in these sectors. It is anticipated that the framework can also play a role in facilitating compliance with section 172 of the Companies Act in the United Kingdom. To enhance the prospect of achieving the primary research aim the following supplementary objectives were also identified: 1) To critically evaluate current approaches to CSR in the knowledge intensive services sector. 2) To determine the appetite and expectation for stakeholder focused governance in the knowledge intensive services sector. 3) To evaluate responses to constraining and enabling characteristics of CSR in the knowledge intensive services sector. 4) To explore the potential role and implications of a CSR guidance framework for the knowledge intensive services sector. This research utilises a multiple case study approach with a focus on three case study subjects, each of whom are market leaders in their respective (knowledge intensive services) sectors of industry and each of whom have demonstrated significant investment and success in their approaches to CSR to date. Qualitative methodology was employed to collect the primary data whilst quantitative methods were employed for the collection of supplementary data for the purposes of triangulation. Using grounded theory methodology, the qualitative data was analysed and the findings conceptualised and coded. This resulted in four key categories being identified and linked to a core category and forms the basis of the ultimate framework. Grounded theory analysis also accounts for the compilation of the supplementary propositions which accompany the framework. This research evidences an acceptance of the need for a more stakeholder focused approach to corporate governance in the knowledge intensive services sector and the resultant framework provides a pathway through which this can be achieved.