Can corporate heritage reduce stakeholders’ CSR scepticism-an exploratory study?

Purpose of the research: Following Urde, Greyser, and Balmer’s (2007) heritage quotient model, and Rindell, Snatos, and Lima’s (2015) conceptualization of consumers’ corporate image heritage, this working paper aims to investigate whether the heritage of corporate heritage brands and the authenticity, affinity, and trust that characterise these brands can be extended to their CSR program to overcome the challenge of CSR scepticism. In addition to this, the previous literature have had only investigated the phenomenon in the context of old-middle-aged corporate heritage institutions, this research aims to re-investigate the phenomenon in the context of young-aged corporate heritage brand which expected to reveal new findings. Furthermore, the current literature of corporate heritage and CSR have heavily focused on consumers, neglecting other stakeholders groups such as NGOs which are increasingly becoming an important player and partner when it comes to CSR

Looking Ahead

The frequency and intensity of climate shocks are expected to increase under a changing climate with severe implications for sectors and those working across the food, energy, water, environment nexus. Impacts of these shocks will exacerbate the vulnerability of those sectors affecting resource availability, system pressures and decision-making processes. We reflect here on how communication, collaboration and co-production can play a fundamental role in informing nexus related decision-making and increasing resilience to shocks and discuss how mechanisms through which stakeholders working, across the nexus (e.g. on energy, food, water, environment) can more efficiently and more robustly co-create robust responses to nexus shocks. Fundamental to embedding communication, collaboration and co-production within responses to nexus shocks and building resilience is the availability and deployment of sufficient financial resources and capacity building in order to facilitate this process and ensure it is sustained in the long term

The Importance of Communication, Collaboration and Co-production

Building resilient responses to nexus shocks requires effective communication and collaboration across sectors and stakeholders, yet this is not always achieved. The Nexus Shocks project examined how communication and collaboration could be enhanced, adopting a co-production methodology with policy, practitioner and scientific communities. This chapter discusses the barriers and challenges to communication and collaboration on specific nexus shocks, such as heatwaves and flooding, and identifies pathways to strengthen responses. Co-production provides a constructive way to deliver more salient decision-making processes which incorporate the needs of those affected in managing and responding to nexus shocks