Robbin Derry, PhD, Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, MORS Department, 2001 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208
This presentation will provide an overview of the emergence of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) through the late 20th century and BAT's use of the concept and tools of CSR in attempt to position themselves as a socially respectable corporate citizen. In this positioning BAT has engaged in philanthropy, sustainability projects, initiatives to eliminate child labor among its suppliers, and broadly worked to promote the view that they care deeply about their stakeholders and the company's impact on the world. We will look at just how BAT frames their efforts to overcome negative public perspectives, as well as how and when these efforts emerged. A thorough and careful understanding of CSR will enable the tobacco control community to respond accurately to BAT's claims about their own social responsibility.
