CSR as Strategy?

1. The Pseudo-Panopticon: The
Illusion Created by CSR-Related
Transparency
W. Timothy Coombs, PhD
Sherry J. Holladay, PhD
University of Central Florida, USA
Presented at the International
CSR Communication Conference
Amsterdam, Netherlands
27 October 2011

2. Panopitcon

3. Pseudo-Panopticon:
“Transparency” of CSR Claims
Stakeholders
Watchdogs
CSR Claims
Internet

4. Pseudo-
Panopticon
• False sense of security
• Internet creates transparency
myth

5. Key drivers
• CSR can be used to boost reputations
• CSR is transparent due to fear of discovery
o Wrongdoing exposed online
o Wrongdoing is punished

6. Problems
• Unlikely to question CSR claims
• Apathy permits corporate control of
disclosure
• Watchdogs and Internet taken as effective
monitors of corporate CSR claims

7. Future research
• To what extent do stakeholders believe CSR
information is verified?
• What motivates stakeholders to
question/research CSR claims?
• To what degree do stakeholders believe in
the pseudo-panopticon?
• What sources do stakeholders consult when
verifying CSR claims?