Commercial property investment companies and corporate social responsibility
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/14635780910982377 |
| Published date | 07 August 2009 |
| Date | 07 August 2009 |
| Pages | 522-533 |
| Author | Peter Jones,David Hillier,Daphne Comfort,Colin Clarke‐Hill |
| Subject Matter | Property management & built environment |
PRACTICE BRIEFING
Commercial property investment
companies and corporate social
responsibility
Peter Jones
The Business School, University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham, UK
David Hillier
University of Glamorgan, Pontypridd, UK, and
Daphne Comfort and Colin Clarke-Hill
The Business School, University of Gloucestershire, Cheltenham, UK
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to offer a preliminary exploration of the corporate social
responsibility (CSR) issues being addressed and reported by the UK’s top ten property investment
companies.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper begins with a short discussion of the origins and
characteristics of CSR. The empirical information for the paper is drawn from the CSR reports and
information posted on the world wide web by some of the leading construction companies.
Findings – The findings reveal substantial variations in the nature and the extent of reporting. The
paper specifically focuses upon four sets of CSR issues namely those relating to environment,
marketplace, workplace, and community and then provides some reflections on them and on CSR
reporting.
Originality/value – The paper provides an accessible review of the CSR issues and agendas being
reported by some of the UK’s leading property investment companies and as such it will interest
academics and practitioners working in property investment.
Keywords Corporate socialresponsibility, Property, Investments, United Kingdom
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Within the last decade “corporate social responsibility” (CSR) has been gaining
momentum across the business community as a growing number of companies look to
emphasise their commitment to environmental, social and economic goals that extend
beyond their commercial activities. The health, vitality, and stability of the property
industry are widely seen to be critical to the success of the UK economy and to
everyday life. Property is a major factor of production in most sectors of the economy,
it is increasingly important to individuals as a form of savings and pensions and
buildings perform a major role in influencing the quality of our living conditions, our
working lives, our education and health care as well as our shopping and leisure
experiences. Roberts et al. (2007) argue that CSR reporting “is now becoming a
mainstream part of the investment analysis process” and Kashyap et al. (2008) suggest
that “the increasing emphasis on corporate social responsibility is becoming a driver
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/1463-578X.htm
JPIF
27,5
522
Journal of Property Investment &
Finance
Vol. 27 No. 5, 2009
pp. 522-533
qEmerald Group Publishing Limited
1463-578X
DOI 10.1108/14635780910982377
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