The Dutch Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Consultancy Company, Borger & Burghouts have completed their research on Inclusive Innovativeness within Dutch Companies. In conjunction with the University of Twente they developed a CSR business case for organisations. The outcome of the research indicates that CSR is the main vehicle for innovation processes in organisations and not only leads to a more broad corporate performance in the ecological and social field but also increases the financial performance and leads to product and process improvements. These innovations are essential for the sustainability of the organisation, the environment and the society.

The research results demonstrated that organisations that are genuinely concerned with their obligation to society, whilst maintaining good financial performance, can make a difference in their branch of industry. They survive economic difficulties better as a result of their on-going social and ecological performance. The organisations, which were part of the case studies, pointed out that their concern for their social and ecological obligations led to new products, new processes and increased markets. Their products and processes are subject to constant innovation because of their drive to perform more sustainably.

InterfaceFLOR (an international producer of carpet tiles) is a good example of an organisation that managed to show innovation in their products, processes and sales market because of their progressive CSR program and excellent leadership. They performed better on numerous aspects of the business, such as purchasing, stakeholder satisfaction, sales and Research & Development.

More: www.inclusive-innovation.nl or s.massier(at)benb.nl

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