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The aim of this conceptual paper, predicated on a hermeneutic literature review, is to improve understanding of the nature of value continues to be extensively studied with its ability to create competitive advantage. Understanding what constitutes value improves corporate social responsibility (CSR) comprehension, including managerial CSR values. This paper aligns with studies into value and/or CSR, whether hermeneutic or otherwise.

This study provides a reflexively critical understanding of the value literature. It focuses on the “identifying” stage of a hermeneutic circle (identifying central terms, core journals and seminal authors). A hermeneutic helix is proposed to better reflect the need of constant re-interpretation of the relevant literature.

Themes include value location (value in exchange, value in use, value in meaning and value in context); architecture (pathways, constellations and networks); creation versus determination; and value types.

This paper neither seeks to define value nor delve into the overarching value discourses. It does, however, refer to the antecedents for these areas. As a hermeneutic literature review, it lacks empirical testing.

CSR practices are strongly influenced by personal values. Hence, CSR practitioners must identify the processes involved and differentiate between the sought value and value types.

The paper could engender better understanding gaps between stakeholder attitudes and practices, i.e. consumers self-identifying as “green” may not engage in ecologically sound practices. As discussed herein, the value sought by university students influences where (and what) to study.

Outdated notions such as value propositions are widely used; value may be proposed; however, only stakeholders can take value. What constitutes value is under-represented in the CSR literature. Hence, terms such as value and values (i.e. value types) are incorrectly used interchangeably.

This paper reflects on antecedents that may cause academic fields to decline or stagnate. It uses a hermeneutic review to consolidate and critique the Internal Marketing (IM) field. Seminal studies of IM and its related construct Internal Marketing orientation (IMO) are identified. IMO is then juxtaposed with contemporary studies from a communications journal identified as core as part of the hermeneutic process.

This study critiques the IMO literature in a hermeneutic review. It draws on the auto-ethnographic tradition to compare IMO with contemporary, related communications articles.

Two antecedents are addressed. There is interest in IM but less so in IMO. Aspects from the IMO literature align with two broad areas, namely customer-centric and company-centric communications. Some IMO aspects have been developed further therein.

This paper recognizes further research opportunities for IMO and communications scholars with a greater focus on boundary spanning employees in national, sectoral and organizational settings. Being conceptual means it lacks empirical testing; being hermeneutic means it contributes to methodological plurality.

Despite having potentially profound organizational effects, IMO lacks awareness and adoption. Recommendations are made throughout to facilitate the adoption of improved communications apropos improving IMO.

The paper identifies employee/employer benefits of adopting good internal communications (IC). IM(O) provides a rationale for sound IC practices.

This paper partially addresses the paucity of research into IMO including BSEs. It improves conceptualization by consolidating the key IMO research on the development and measurement of the construct, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses within the literature.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

A multidistrict audit was conducted in seven hospitals to examine the proportion of preterm births in which antenatal corticosteroids were given. Of the 550 births examined, corticosteroids had been given in 301(64%), ranging from 49–76% in different hospitals. Mothers of extremely premature babies were less likely to have been given steroids (OR 0.45 95%CI 0.28–1.03). Complications occurred in 36% of babies whose mothers did not receive steroids. Documentation of reasons for non‐administration were poor.

Outlines a new methodology which might explicitly assist learning in schools by complementing the traditional focus of subject specialists with an ordered approach to the appreciation of complex human problems. Developed over the last 25 years at Lancaster University, initially to solve industrial problems, soft systems methodology is a neutral holistic framework that makes very few assumptions about situations yet to be discussed. This explorative style gives no guarantee of the end result, unlike the repeatable problems of science and technology: participants manage the framework to suit their interpretations of problems which are invariably unique.

The complexity of modern policing requires an accountable police service to operate in a diverse society, where support/trust must be earned by action and deed. The article examines the potential of market orientated strategies in facilitating policing initiatives, such as community policing and enhanced service quality. The work reviews the concept of market orientation and adopts a case study approach to research. Market orientated/customer focused strategies are examined in a range of public, private and international sectors. Findings outline a three‐stage “turnaround” process to enhance service quality and highlight the importance of market orientation in counteracting the concept of “unwilling/reluctant customers”. Draws on case studies from Inland Revenue, Richer Sounds plc and the New York Police Department.

Briefly outlines the concept of systems engineering and soft systems methodology as a framework for helping students to cope with the problems and disagreements which they will encounter in their world of work, but for which they will not have been prepared in the classroom. Suggests that these methods should not replace the traditional textbook methods of teaching, but rather should complement them. Believes they could be introduced as another slice of management theory alongside A‐Levels.

This article offers the “brand web” model as a conceptual framework for the creation and ongoing analysis of corporate brands and brand relationships. The framework is particularly relevant for new economy ventures that result from alliances. In deploying the brand web model, marketers are asked to consider: the power relationship between the corporate brands; their corporate identities and brand values; the goals of each brand; and the relative strategies pursued to achieve these goals. These questions are posed within the context of the semiotic model of corporate identity.

The soft systems approach developed by Professor Peter Checkland and colleagues during more than 25 years is introduced here as a means of enquiry into organizational problems. Recursive and engineering participation, the methodology’s philosophy of trial‐and‐error learning, proposes logical models of viewpoints thought likely to clarify complex issues. Like earlier scientific approaches to problem solving, the models should be subjected to tough criticism, though any model is never an attempt to imitate part of the world (in scientific style) but merely to organize quality discussion.