A broadened agenda
At the outset, the Danish debate about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) primarily evolved around the environmental impact of companies and the aspiration to engage companies in the solution of problems related to the labour market.
Hand in hand with increasing globalisation, the CSR debate has been broadened to also include breaches of human rights and internationally recognised labour standards as well as corruption. These are widespread phenomena in many of the countries where Danish companies are doing business.
CSR is voluntary
CSR regulation is a contradiction in terms, since CSR is about taking responsibilities beyond what is required by law and collective agreements.
DI believes that companies should have the freedom of methodology as well as a free choice among the vast array of activities that can meet some of the most pertinent societal needs. CSR strategies are more efficient when they build on the competences of the particular company, and they add more value, if they are developed in accordance with its other business activities.
Increasing market pressure
Making CSR activities known to customers, investors, employees and other stakeholders is becoming an increasingly important aspect of international trade.
Danish companies do not traditionally advertise their social engagement, but over the course of the last decade a growing number of Danish and foreign companies have started to pose environmental, social and ethical demands to their business partners. This requires more and more of Danish companies to document their CSR efforts.