Reporting and reflecting on corporate social responsibility in the hospitality industry: A case study of pub operators in the UK

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to offer a preliminary case study exploration of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) issues being addressed and reported by the UK's top ten pub operators.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper begins with a short discussion of the characteristics and origins of CSR and this is followed by a brief outline of pubs and pub operators within the UK. The paper draws its empirical material from the CSR reports and information posted on the worldwide web by the leading pub operators.

Findings

The findings reveal that each of the leading operators has its own approach to CSR and that there are substantial variations in the nature and the extent of reporting. More specifically the paper focuses upon four sets of CSR issues namely those relating to the marketplace; the workplace; the environment; and the community and then provides some reflections on the commitment to these issues at both corporate and individual pub levels.

Research implications/limitations

CSR in the pub sector of the hospitality industry has received relatively little attention from academics but the case study suggests a number of fertile grounds for future enquiry and research. That said the current case is a preliminary exploration of CSR issues as reported on the worldwide web and more in depth work will be needed before more definitive conclusions can be drawn.

Practical implications

The paper offers a number of CSR action points for both the companies and the individuals who are involved in running pubs.

Originality/value

The paper provides an accessible review of the CSR issues and agendas being reported by the UK's leading pub operators and as such it will interest academics and practitioners working in the licensed trade and those professionals who work with the licensed trade.

Citation

Jones, P., Comfort, D. and Hillier, D. (2006), "Reporting and reflecting on corporate social responsibility in the hospitality industry: A case study of pub operators in the UK", International Journal of Contemporary Hospitality Management, Vol. 18 No. 4, pp. 329-340. https://doi.org/10.1108/09596110610665339