Justyna Fijałkowska

Background. Today’s turbulent economic reality characterised by market distortions, financial and economy crises and increasingly frequent business scandals question the validity of current business models, including also those concerning the notion of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Research aims. The aim of this article is the comparative critical review of the most common CSR business models and criticism of the current CSR rhetoric. We hypothesise that the CSR business model should have grounded institutional foundations that the majority of them lack.

Methodology. As a methodology in our research we use a critical management studies. We base our analysis on the profound literature review. Following the ethical-normative theory of Hopwood (Hopwood & Miller, 1994) and acknowledging stakeholders approach, legitimacy theory, and social contract theory as foundations of our motivation we critically compare 7 conceptual CSR business models. These business models are described based on the positive theory.

Key findings. The general conclusion indicates that the reviewed CSR business models do not consider institutional factors and pragmatic realism of business activities. Moreover, those models are embedded in unrealistic economic conditions. They have many shortcomings and weaknesses that as for now remain a challenge both for the academic research and practice.

Background. Universities worldwide have been called to (re)consider their role in society; to evaluate their mission and their interrelations with various stakeholders. At the same time they are going through transformation aiming to make them more autonomous, economically efficient and competitive. Both this reasons lead to the pressure on universities to prove their efficient resource management that may be realized via intellectual capital disclosure.

Research aims. The objectives of this paper is to present the ‘third mission’ approach adoption of universities imposing on them the need for greater accountability, transparency and more effective communication that may be realized via IC reporting, the second is to review and discuss the qualitative and quantitative empirical research in IC reporting of universities worldwide.

Methodology. The research method consisted in a critical literature and inductive reasoning. The resources theory, stakeholders’ theory, legitimacy theory, and signaling theory as well as the New Public Management (NPM) and post-NPM concepts gave the foundation of this research.

Key findings. The conclusions of the research confirm that the implementation of IC reporting in universities is still a challenge for practice. IC disclosure lags behind the needs of stakeholders and should be improved. Greater awareness and effective implementation of IC reporting in universities could improve their future potential, quality and competitiveness.

JEL Codes: I20, I29, E22, M49