Opportunities and limitations of CSR in the postcommunist countries: Polish case

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the main opportunities and limitations of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the countries of transformation.

Design/methodology/approach

The conditions determining the success of CSR in Poland have been defined in the paper on the basis of the previously cumulative knowledge as well as the results of various sociological research.

Findings

The paper finds that the main obstacles of CSR are: negative image of business, dysfunctional legal background, corruption, weakness of the III sector, difficult economic situation of many companies, the lack of an ethics and ethical standards, and difficult situation on the job market. The main opportunities are: contacts of the companies with the foreign partners, self‐regulation trends of business, good economic growth rate.

Originality/value

This paper provides knowledge which may be useful in the programs promoting CSR.

Citation

Lewicka‐Strzalecka, A. (2006), "Opportunities and limitations of CSR in the postcommunist countries: Polish case", Corporate Governance, Vol. 6 No. 4, pp. 440-448. https://doi.org/10.1108/14720700610689559