The Civil Corporation: The New Economy of Corporate Citizenship [Paperback]

Simon Zadek (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 13, 2003 | ISBN-10: 1853839973 | ISBN-13: 978-1853839979

*Honored with the 2006 Book Award by the Social Issues in Management Division of the Academy of Management

Explores how far businesses can and should improve their social and environmental performance, arguing that corporate citizenship emerges from the "New Economy" dynamics, and relating it to learning, knowledge and innovation.
The book sets out practical issues for business, including goal and boundary setting, measurement, dialogue and how to build trust - vital both to business success and stable participation in civil governance.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A thoughtful and thought-provoking contribution to the increasingly important and interrelated topics of corporate citizenship and global governance." -- Jane Nelson, Director, Leadership and Strategy, International Business Leaders Forum

"Offers knowledge and wisdom of benefit to all types of readers - business executives, scholars, public officals, NGO leaders and citizens." -- Robert H. Dunn, CEO, Business for Social Responsibility

"Simon Zadek has done us all a service by condensing his wisdom into this deeply insightful and deftly-written book." -- Bob Massie, Executive Director, CERES, Chair, Global Reporting Initiative

"The intricate analysis...makes a powerful case for business to reassess their values, relationships and processes." -- Financial Times

"This important book is clearly written, rigorous yet never dull, and challenging to business...I urge you to read it." -- Michael Edwards, Ford Foundation

About the Author

Simon Zadek is Chief Executive of AccountAbility, the pre-eminent professional institute advancing corporate accountability standards for sustainable development. Prior to this he was Development Director of the New Economics Foundation and Founding Chair of the Ethical Trading Initiative. He is author of numerous books, reports, pamphlets and articles.

Product Details

• Paperback: 258 pages
• Publisher: Earthscan Publications Ltd. (May 13, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1853839973
• ISBN-13: 978-1853839979
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,231,729 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Up-to-date report on the corporate accountability movement, September 30, 2008

By 

Rolf Dobelli "getAbstract" (Switzerland) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Civil Corporation (Paperback)

Some economists say that the purpose of corporations is simple: to earn profitable returns on their capital investments. All else is incidental, even superfluous. This might be termed the Milton Friedman approach, for the famous Chicago-school economist. However, others contend that corporations, particularly global ones, must assume responsibility for "sustainable economic development." If corporations don't, they argue, who will? Without concerted corporate action, the earth will become polluted, and sooner rather than later, global warming will increase, with calamitous effects. Poverty and hunger will mount. The superrich will live in guarded enclaves, cordoned off from the hellish and chaotic lives of the majority. In Simon Zadek's award-winning book, the ethicist and visionary examines corporate social and environmental responsibility and provides a practical prescription for meaningful, positive changes. getAbstract says Zadek's book is required reading for executives, public policy makers, academics and others who ponder the role of corporations in creating a sustainable world economy.