Corporate social responsibility in Spain: An overview

In Spain, as in many other European countries, there is a growing movement in favor of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Spanish companies consider corporate reputation, competitive advantage and industry trends to be the major driving forces of CSR. However, these factors are closely related to other cultural, social and political influences. Initiatives undertaken by the EU and international organizations have influenced companies' decision to implement CSR. Associations and forums that bring together the heads of leading corporations, business schools and other academic institutions, NGOs and the media are actively promoting CSR in Spain. Although the degree of implementation of CSR in Spain is still moderate, initiatives in this field from some of the country's most respected companies augur promising developments in CSR in the near future.corporate social responsibility; business ethics;

The principle of subsidiarity in organizations. A case study

The principle of subsidiarity holds that a larger and greater body should not exercise functions which can be carried out efficiently by one smaller and lesser, but rather the former should support the latter and help to coordinate its activity with the activities of the whole community. According to some authors, businesses ought to be considered as human communities and, consequently, the principle of subsidiarity should be an ethical premise for designing business organizations. However, this principle has rarely been applied to business organizations as yet. This paper presents the bases and contents of the principle of subsidiarity, and the ethical requirements for the design of business organizations that flow from it. Subsidiarity is an ethical framework for employee autonomy, initiative, entrepreneurial spirit, and responsibility. It bears some similarities to the managerial concepts of "decentralization" and "empowerment," but differs from them both in its foundation and in its application. A case study of a medium-sized firm describes an organizational change which takes the principle of subsidiarity into account. Reflection on the subsidiarity principle and the use of appropriate managerial tools proved successful in improving various aspects of this organization. The paper concludes by presenting some suggestions for effective implementation of the subsidiarity principle in business organizations.subsidiarity; entrepreneurial spirit; empowerment; catholic social teaching; organizational design;

Business ethics founded on christian moral theology: Perspectives for the 21st century

Religion influences the world of business through its influence on people's moral conscience and motivation, so it would be unrealistic not to take it into account. Theology does not see itself as being opposed to philosophy but, rather, as building on it. Through its rational and systematic justification of faith, theology opens up new horizons for business ethics. Furthermore, if public debate requires the contribution of acknowledged authorities on moral issues, then there is clearly a place for moral theology in a multicultural and plurireligious society. All of this suggests the need to further develop business ethics from a theological point of view.Business ethics;