PhD thesis: Analysis of duties supervisory boards in relation to corporate social responsibility

Dick de Waard’s thesis describes the way members of supervisory boards of Dutch listed companies view their duties in relation to corporate social responsibility (CSR). The analysis included is based on literature research and interviews with members of these boards.

Overall, De Waard concludes that the role of supervisory boards regarding CSR in relation to the importance attached to the subject is only modestly fulfilled. The core issues for supervisory boards are the financial results and continuity of the company. The striving for legitimacy, with CSR as a supporting element, is seen as an important boundary condition. In practice, however, supervisory boards generally have no consistent set of standards for CSR.

Curriculum vitae

Dick de Waard (Rotterdam, 1956) graduated in accountancy (NIVRA). He works at the department of Accountancy of the Faculty of Economics and Business and at Ernst & Young Accountants. The PhD ceremony on 3 April will take place at 2.45 p.m. at the Academiegebouw, Broerstraat 5, Groningen. The title of the thesis is Toezicht op maatschappelijk verantwoord ondernemen: Over de taakopvatting van commissarissen. His supervisoirs are prof.dr. J. van Manen and mw. prof.dr. J. van der Meer-Kooistra.