Corporate social responsibility or sustainability in music festivals

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to establish whether social considerations are valued within the UK music festivals.

Design/methodology/approach

A case study featuring 21 semi-structured interviews with stakeholders delivering seven music festivals. Thematic analysis enabled identification of insights into differences between organisers and suppliers.

Findings

The respondents were positive towards sustainability; however, CSR had little recognition. Both stakeholder groups adopted “ethical” practices. Suppliers want organisers to be transparent and fair. Organisers want supplier to comply with their approaches. All stakeholders need to improve their communications.

Research limitations/implications

As a small qualitative study, it is not representative of the sector. Furthermore, suppliers may be unwilling to critique festivals. Social desirability bias may be evident.

Practical implications

Festivals operate in increasingly competitive environments; hence, the insights herein should improve stakeholder and festivalgoer engagement.

Social implications

The stakeholders exhibited diverse sustainability orientations and unfailingly made the business case for SMEs adopting sustainable practices. Ethical practices herein seek partly to address social exclusion. Organisers have attracted festivalgoers who are not averse to the notion that societal endeavours are not just good for society, but also good for them.

Originality/value

Few studies of the adoption of social considerations exist within the creative industries.

Citation

Richardson, N. (2019), "Corporate social responsibility or sustainability in music festivals", International Journal of Organizational Analysis, Vol. 27 No. 5, pp. 1257-1273. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJOA-03-2018-1368