Keeping the enemies close: The contribution of corporate social responsibility to reducing crime against the firm

SummaryWe explore how corporate social responsibility (CSR) can contribute to the security of the firm, looking at the mechanisms that can help a socially responsible firm to achieve outcomes – such as firm legitimacy, stakeholder satisfaction, and perception of fairness – that can be useful in reducing crimes. We suggest that these outcomes impact on the motivation of potential offenders to act or make it more difficult for them to justify their illegal intentions; the same outcomes of CSR also influence stakeholders who do not participate in crime but can develop attitudes and behaviours that restrict opportunities for criminal action by potential offenders. We also suggest that these crime-reducing effects of CSR vary according to whether the offenders belong to a legitimate stakeholder category or not, and according to the legitimate or non-legitimate nature of the claim they advance through their illegal actions.

Research highlights▶ Outcomes of CSR may reduce the motivation of potential offenders to act against a firm. ▶ These outcomes may also make it more difficult for the offenders to justify their illegal intentions. ▶ Stakeholders who do not participate in the crime may develop attitudes and behaviours that restrict opportunities for criminal action. ▶ Crime-reducing effects of CSR vary according to the legitimacy of the potential offenders and the legitimacy of their claims.