European and American Perspectives on Corporate Social Responsibility

Abstract

In considering the similarities and differences among European and American perspectives on organizational ethics and corporate social responsibility (CSR), I am forced to the conclusion that the categories are far less useful than is often assumed. The similarities between - and diversity within - the proposed geographic categories match or exceed their differences. In other words, my (admittedly idiosyncratic) observation suggests more similarities than differences between the perspectives of Americans and those of other Western European nationalities.

Keywords: corporate social responsibility