Document Abstract
Published:
1 Dec 2007
Corporate Social Responsibility in Turkey: Overview and Perspectives
CSR and accession to the EU in Turkey
This paper provides a recent picture of the state of Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR) awareness and practices among public and private stakeholders in Turkey. Based on the analysis of specific drivers and constraints, it suggests practical steps that could be taken by public and private organisations to support the further development of CSR in Turkey.
It points out that the EU accession process, combined with the increasing exposure of Turkey’s productive and financial sectors to international markets and foreign investment should be seen as opportunities for developing more responsible business practices and finding innovative solutions to some of the most urgent social and environmental problems. The authors identify internal and external constraints to CSR in Turkey. Internal constraints include the fact that current understanding of CSR in Turkey is still restricted to philanthropic or sponsoring activities and most Turkish business managers, particularly in the SME sector, have insufficient knowledge of the relationship between CSR and business performance. External constraints include the lack of a coherent and supportive strategy by public authorities, lack of a harmonised CSR approach and joint initiatives of international organisations in Turkey.
The paper concludes by looking at steps towards progress. Key points highlighted in this section include:
It points out that the EU accession process, combined with the increasing exposure of Turkey’s productive and financial sectors to international markets and foreign investment should be seen as opportunities for developing more responsible business practices and finding innovative solutions to some of the most urgent social and environmental problems. The authors identify internal and external constraints to CSR in Turkey. Internal constraints include the fact that current understanding of CSR in Turkey is still restricted to philanthropic or sponsoring activities and most Turkish business managers, particularly in the SME sector, have insufficient knowledge of the relationship between CSR and business performance. External constraints include the lack of a coherent and supportive strategy by public authorities, lack of a harmonised CSR approach and joint initiatives of international organisations in Turkey.
The paper concludes by looking at steps towards progress. Key points highlighted in this section include:
- the emphasis on voluntary approaches to CSR should not impede the involvement of public authorities in promoting responsible business practices
- strength and pervasiveness of CSR on the national level will be the outcome of a public private partnership in which responsibilities are clearly defined and complementarities are recognised as opportunities. This should be especially true in a country like Turkey where political life has been influenced by a strong and central state
- international organisations should engage in better coordination and collaboration
- public authorities and organisations could play an active role in the promotion of CSR.
