Eureka! Institutional Repository

Many corporations have been involved in social service in some way. But, eventually, does it offer as much value as rumored? In the following paper, a literature review is contacted for Corporate Social Responsibility and the Value Chain theory and a try is made to connect the two. Furthermore, examples of socially conscious large enter-prises from the Greek market are being studied as to show how Corporate Social Re-sponsibility is being used in a working environment. Initially the concept of CSR is discussed, its history and the definition, the benefits it offers, factors that led to its development and finally a SWOT analysis. Furthermore the questioning around CSR is examined as well as its disclosure and how it relates to marketing and management and how the economic crisis has affected CSR. Moreover the value chain is developed, its strategy, the value chain’s dimension as a tool to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of a company, its connection with CSR, the creation of the new term shared value and the difference between shared value and CSR. Finally the data from the ICAP group survey about CSR and enterprises are analyzed and research is done among 3 large enterprises about their actions in terms of CSR programs. Additionally, the results of the research, conclusions and recommenda-tions are exhibited.