Skip to main content
Top
Published in:

26-10-2016 | Schwerpunktthema

Ethics, gift and social innovation through CSR and female leadership in business administration in Italy

Authors: Maria-Gabriella Baldarelli, Mara Del Baldo

Published in: Sustainability Nexus Forum | Issue 2-3/2016

Log in

Activate our intelligent search to find suitable subject content or patents.

search-config
loading …

Abstract

The aim of the paper is to inquire and discuss the specificities of the women’s approaches in leading organizations towards generating social innovation. What are the traits of women’s leadership and their role in managing and governing organizations? Are they holders of values, which raise their capability “to listen” and “to read” stakeholders expectations and needs in different socio-economic and historical contexts? The work provides a reply to these research questions by analyzing the role of women in two different Italian organizations. The first one is relative to an institution (“S. Giuseppe Institute for Maternal and Infant Help” in Rimini and the “Little Hospital Regina Elena”, currently named S. Giuseppe Onlus) that, from the beginning of the Nineteenth century, played a key role in the local and national context (Italy) in protecting illegitimate motherhood and children, which represented from centuries a social and cultural plague in the Country. The second one is relative to an Italian large-sized multi-utility company (SGR Group) based in Rimini and developed abroad (Bulgaria) which is family owned and whose sustainability-oriented process is driven for years by the vision of a female President. The reflections emerged from the analysis contribute to understand the potential of women in generating social innovation through their management and leadership and the changes “silently” promoted within organizations. Coherently, the work contributes to nurture a field which has still to be improved in order to disclose the frequently “hidden” role of women in promoting CSR and sustainability and developing the socio-economic and territorial context, in Italy and abroad.

Dont have a licence yet? Then find out more about our products and how to get one now:

Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 102.000 Bücher
  • über 537 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Finance + Banking
  • Management + Führung
  • Marketing + Vertrieb
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe
  • Versicherung + Risiko

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Springer Professional "Technik"

Online-Abonnement

Mit Springer Professional "Technik" erhalten Sie Zugriff auf:

  • über 67.000 Bücher
  • über 390 Zeitschriften

aus folgenden Fachgebieten:

  • Automobil + Motoren
  • Bauwesen + Immobilien
  • Business IT + Informatik
  • Elektrotechnik + Elektronik
  • Energie + Nachhaltigkeit
  • Maschinenbau + Werkstoffe




 

Jetzt Wissensvorsprung sichern!

Footnotes
1
Other women’s roles included: the female personnel responsible for various services, women and young mothers belonging to the local community, who freely offered their services (covering a dual role as former users and collaborators), the assisted women and the trained and monitored wet nurses.
 
2
The Group includes SGR reti, Utilia, SGR Servizi and CityGas, the Bulgarian company controlled by SGR which was joined by Technoterm in 2010.
 
3
To respond to and contemporise the stakeholders’ interests, SGR proceeded with their analysis, followed by the stakeholders’ engagement plan, which includes diverse tools of dialogue, consultation and communication. Mention can be made of Intranet, accessible at all corporate levels; an internal blog; a newsletter; employee satisfaction questionnaires; informative brochures; company notice boards; plenary meetings (once or twice a year) and monthly meetings.
 
4
We can cite projects for kindergartens, elementary and middle children which involved more than 5000 students aimed at educating to eco-energy, nutrition, civic sense, the creative and artistic development.
 
Literature
go back to reference Atkinson P, Coffey A (1997) Analysing documentary realities. In: Silverman D (ed) Qualitative research. SAGE, London, pp 45–62 Atkinson P, Coffey A (1997) Analysing documentary realities. In: Silverman D (ed) Qualitative research. SAGE, London, pp 45–62
go back to reference Baldarelli MG (2013) Account(ing)-ability and “charisma”: conceptual network and implementation. Ekonomska Istrazivanja-Economic Research. Special Issue: The 6th International Conference “The Changing Economic Landscape: Issues, Implications and Policy Options”. May 30th–June 1st 2013, S 63–82 Baldarelli MG (2013) Account(ing)-ability and “charisma”: conceptual network and implementation. Ekonomska Istrazivanja-Economic Research. Special Issue: The 6th International Conference “The Changing Economic Landscape: Issues, Implications and Policy Options”. May 30th–June 1st 2013, S 63–82
go back to reference Baldarelli MG, Del Baldo M (2013) The question of pendulum between entrepreneurship and managerialism: new challenges in theory and in practice. Ideas Ideals 4(18):63–74 Baldarelli MG, Del Baldo M (2013) The question of pendulum between entrepreneurship and managerialism: new challenges in theory and in practice. Ideas Ideals 4(18):63–74
go back to reference Baldarelli MG, Del Baldo M (2016) Accounting and charity, How to read the “pink” in accounting in the first half of the twentieth century to a real life case. Special Issue: accounting and charities in historical perspective. Account Hist 21(2–3):144–166CrossRef Baldarelli MG, Del Baldo M (2016) Accounting and charity, How to read the “pink” in accounting in the first half of the twentieth century to a real life case. Special Issue: accounting and charities in historical perspective. Account Hist 21(2–3):144–166CrossRef
go back to reference Baldarelli MG, Gigli S (2014) Exploring the drivers of corporate reputation integrated with a corporate responsibility perspective: some reflections in theory and in praxis. J Manag Gov 18(2):589–613. doi:10.1007/s10997-011-9192-3 CrossRef Baldarelli MG, Gigli S (2014) Exploring the drivers of corporate reputation integrated with a corporate responsibility perspective: some reflections in theory and in praxis. J Manag Gov 18(2):589–613. doi:10.​1007/​s10997-011-9192-3 CrossRef
go back to reference Baldarelli MG, Nesheva-Kioseva N (2011) Social and environmental accounting and reporting institutional factors: comparative analysis Bulgaria/Italy. In: Arena P, Cardillo E (eds) Social and environmental accounting research advances and new perspectives. Aracne, Rome, pp 63–137 Baldarelli MG, Nesheva-Kioseva N (2011) Social and environmental accounting and reporting institutional factors: comparative analysis Bulgaria/Italy. In: Arena P, Cardillo E (eds) Social and environmental accounting research advances and new perspectives. Aracne, Rome, pp 63–137
go back to reference Baldarelli MG, Del Baldo M, Nesheva-Kiosseva N (2014) Implementing Sustainability reporting (SR): (Neo-) institutional theory insights in the analysis of the SGR group, Italy and citygas, Bulgaria. J Mod Account Auditing 10(11):1067–1104 Baldarelli MG, Del Baldo M, Nesheva-Kiosseva N (2014) Implementing Sustainability reporting (SR): (Neo-) institutional theory insights in the analysis of the SGR group, Italy and citygas, Bulgaria. J Mod Account Auditing 10(11):1067–1104
go back to reference Barker PC, Monks K (1998) Irish women accountants and career progression: a research note. Account Organ Soc 23(8):813–823CrossRef Barker PC, Monks K (1998) Irish women accountants and career progression: a research note. Account Organ Soc 23(8):813–823CrossRef
go back to reference Bass BM, Bass R (2008) The bass handbook of leadership: theory, research, & managerial applications. Free Press, New York Bass BM, Bass R (2008) The bass handbook of leadership: theory, research, & managerial applications. Free Press, New York
go back to reference Bebbington J, Unerman J, O’Dwyer B (2009) Sustainability accounting and accountability. Routledge, London Bebbington J, Unerman J, O’Dwyer B (2009) Sustainability accounting and accountability. Routledge, London
go back to reference Bell M (2013) Charismatic leadership case study with Ronald Reagan as exemplar. Emerg Leadersh Journeys 6(1):66–74 Bell M (2013) Charismatic leadership case study with Ronald Reagan as exemplar. Emerg Leadersh Journeys 6(1):66–74
go back to reference Broadbent J (2015) A gender agenda. Paper for the SIDREA International Workshop Meditari Accountancy Research European Conference, University of Bologna, Forlì, 2–3 July 2015, pp 1–14 Broadbent J (2015) A gender agenda. Paper for the SIDREA International Workshop Meditari Accountancy Research European Conference, University of Bologna, Forlì, 2–3 July 2015, pp 1–14
go back to reference Bruni L, Sena B (eds) (2013) The charismatic principle in social life. Routledge, New York Bruni L, Sena B (eds) (2013) The charismatic principle in social life. Routledge, New York
go back to reference Bruni L, Smerilli A (2014) L’altra metà dell’ Economia. Città Nuova, Rome Bruni L, Smerilli A (2014) L’altra metà dell’ Economia. Città Nuova, Rome
go back to reference Campolattano A, Mele C (2007) Rimini tra ’800 e ’900. La pubblica assistenza e beneficenza e il contributo delle Figlie della Carità. Quad ASRI 100:1–40 Campolattano A, Mele C (2007) Rimini tra ’800 e ’900. La pubblica assistenza e beneficenza e il contributo delle Figlie della Carità. Quad ASRI 100:1–40
go back to reference Catturi G (2007) La “valorialità” aziendale (“Values implementation” in the company). Cedam, Padova Catturi G (2007) La “valorialità” aziendale (“Values implementation” in the company). Cedam, Padova
go back to reference Chapman CS, Cooper DJ, Miller PB (2009) Linking accounting, organizations and institutions. In: Chapman CS, Cooper DJ, Miller PB (eds) Accounting, organizations, & institutions. Essays in honour of Anthony Hopwood. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp 1–29CrossRef Chapman CS, Cooper DJ, Miller PB (2009) Linking accounting, organizations and institutions. In: Chapman CS, Cooper DJ, Miller PB (eds) Accounting, organizations, & institutions. Essays in honour of Anthony Hopwood. Oxford University Press, Oxford, pp 1–29CrossRef
go back to reference Chiadini A, Freddi P (2008 and 2009) La storia di un valore. L’Istituto San Giuseppe per l’Aiuto Materno e Infantile di Rimini. Dagli inizi del Novecento agli anni Trenta, volume primo; Dagli anni Quaranta agli anni Settanta, volume secondo. FaraEditore: Rimini. Chiadini A, Freddi P (2008 and 2009) La storia di un valore. L’Istituto San Giuseppe per l’Aiuto Materno e Infantile di Rimini. Dagli inizi del Novecento agli anni Trenta, volume primo; Dagli anni Quaranta agli anni Settanta, volume secondo. FaraEditore: Rimini.
go back to reference Choi J (2006) A motivational theory of charismatic leadership: envisioning, empathy and empowerment. J Leadersh Organ Stud 13(1):24–43CrossRef Choi J (2006) A motivational theory of charismatic leadership: envisioning, empathy and empowerment. J Leadersh Organ Stud 13(1):24–43CrossRef
go back to reference Ciancanelli P, Gallhofere S, Humphrey C, Kirkham L (1990) Gender and accountancy: some evidence from the UK. Crit Perspect Account 1(2):117–144CrossRef Ciancanelli P, Gallhofere S, Humphrey C, Kirkham L (1990) Gender and accountancy: some evidence from the UK. Crit Perspect Account 1(2):117–144CrossRef
go back to reference Contrafatto M (2011) Social and environmental accounting and engagement research: reflections on the state of the art and nee research avenues. Econ Aziend Online 2(3):273–289 Contrafatto M (2011) Social and environmental accounting and engagement research: reflections on the state of the art and nee research avenues. Econ Aziend Online 2(3):273–289
go back to reference Cooper C (1992) The non and nom of accounting for (M)other nature. Account Auditing Account J 5(3):16–39 Cooper C (1992) The non and nom of accounting for (M)other nature. Account Auditing Account J 5(3):16–39
go back to reference Del Baldo M (2010) Corporate social responsibility and corporate governance in Italian SMEs: toward a ‘territorial’ model based on small ‘champions’ of CSR. Int J Sustain Soc 2(3):215–247CrossRef Del Baldo M (2010) Corporate social responsibility and corporate governance in Italian SMEs: toward a ‘territorial’ model based on small ‘champions’ of CSR. Int J Sustain Soc 2(3):215–247CrossRef
go back to reference Del Piano A (1927) L’Opera dell’Aiuto Materno in Rimini dal 1910 al 1926. Tipografia Giuseppe Benzi, Rimini (Relazione Sanitaria del Dott. Prof. Del Piano) Del Piano A (1927) L’Opera dell’Aiuto Materno in Rimini dal 1910 al 1926. Tipografia Giuseppe Benzi, Rimini (Relazione Sanitaria del Dott. Prof. Del Piano)
go back to reference Gray RH, Dey C, Owen D, Evans R, Zadek S (1997) Struggling with the praxis of social accounting: stakeholders, accountability, audits and procedures. Account Auditing Account J 10(3):325–364CrossRef Gray RH, Dey C, Owen D, Evans R, Zadek S (1997) Struggling with the praxis of social accounting: stakeholders, accountability, audits and procedures. Account Auditing Account J 10(3):325–364CrossRef
go back to reference Haniffa RM, Cooke TE (2005) The impact of culture and governance on corporate social reporting. J Account Public Policy 24(5):391–430CrossRef Haniffa RM, Cooke TE (2005) The impact of culture and governance on corporate social reporting. J Account Public Policy 24(5):391–430CrossRef
go back to reference Haynes K (2008a) Transforming identities: accounting professionals and the transition to motherhood. Crit Perspect Account 19:620–642CrossRef Haynes K (2008a) Transforming identities: accounting professionals and the transition to motherhood. Crit Perspect Account 19:620–642CrossRef
go back to reference Haynes K (2008b) (Re)figuring accounting and maternal bodies: the gendered embodiment of accounting professionals. Account Organ Soc 33(4–5):328–348CrossRef Haynes K (2008b) (Re)figuring accounting and maternal bodies: the gendered embodiment of accounting professionals. Account Organ Soc 33(4–5):328–348CrossRef
go back to reference Hofstede G (1991) Cultures and organizations: software of the mind. McGraw-Hill, New York Hofstede G (1991) Cultures and organizations: software of the mind. McGraw-Hill, New York
go back to reference Hopwood AG (1987) Accounting and gender: an introduction. Account Organ Soc 12(1):65–69CrossRef Hopwood AG (1987) Accounting and gender: an introduction. Account Organ Soc 12(1):65–69CrossRef
go back to reference Jamali D, Saffieddine AM, Rabbath M (2008) Corporate governance and corporate social responsibility synergies and interrelationships. Corp Gov 16:443–459CrossRef Jamali D, Saffieddine AM, Rabbath M (2008) Corporate governance and corporate social responsibility synergies and interrelationships. Corp Gov 16:443–459CrossRef
go back to reference Kirkham LM (1992) Integrating herstory and history in accountancy. Account Organ Soc 17(3–4):87–297 Kirkham LM (1992) Integrating herstory and history in accountancy. Account Organ Soc 17(3–4):87–297
go back to reference Krüger P (2009) Corporate social responsibility and the board of directors. Job market paper. Toulouse School of Economics, Toulouse Krüger P (2009) Corporate social responsibility and the board of directors. Job market paper. Toulouse School of Economics, Toulouse
go back to reference Light PC (2006) Reshaping social entrepreneurship. Stanf Soc Innov Rev 4(3):46–51 Light PC (2006) Reshaping social entrepreneurship. Stanf Soc Innov Rev 4(3):46–51
go back to reference Maak T, Pless N (2006) Responsible leadership in a stakeholder society: a relational perspective. J Bus Ethics 66(1):99–115CrossRef Maak T, Pless N (2006) Responsible leadership in a stakeholder society: a relational perspective. J Bus Ethics 66(1):99–115CrossRef
go back to reference Maltby J, Rutterford J (2006) ‘she possessed her own fortune’: women investors from the late nineteenth century to the early twentieth century. Bus Hist 48(2):220–253CrossRef Maltby J, Rutterford J (2006) ‘she possessed her own fortune’: women investors from the late nineteenth century to the early twentieth century. Bus Hist 48(2):220–253CrossRef
go back to reference McKernan JF, Kosmala K (2007) Doing the truth: religion – deconstruction – justice and accounting. Account Auditing Account J 20(5):729–764CrossRef McKernan JF, Kosmala K (2007) Doing the truth: religion – deconstruction – justice and accounting. Account Auditing Account J 20(5):729–764CrossRef
go back to reference Meindl JR (1990) On leadership: an alternative to the conventional. In: Straw BM, Cummings LL (eds) Research in organizational behavior. JAI Press, Greenwich, pp 159–203 Meindl JR (1990) On leadership: an alternative to the conventional. In: Straw BM, Cummings LL (eds) Research in organizational behavior. JAI Press, Greenwich, pp 159–203
go back to reference Miller TL, Grimes M, McMullen J, Vogus TJ (2012) Venturing for others with heart and head: How compassion encourages social entrepreneurship. Acad Manag Rev 37(4):616–640CrossRef Miller TL, Grimes M, McMullen J, Vogus TJ (2012) Venturing for others with heart and head: How compassion encourages social entrepreneurship. Acad Manag Rev 37(4):616–640CrossRef
go back to reference Molteni M (2009) Aziende a movente ideale. In: Bruni L, Zamagni S (eds) Dizionario di Economia Civile. Città Nuova, Rome Molteni M (2009) Aziende a movente ideale. In: Bruni L, Zamagni S (eds) Dizionario di Economia Civile. Città Nuova, Rome
go back to reference Naumes W, Naumes MJ (2006) The art and craft of case writing, 2nd edn. M. E. Sharpe, London Naumes W, Naumes MJ (2006) The art and craft of case writing, 2nd edn. M. E. Sharpe, London
go back to reference Nicholls A, Murdock A (2012) The nature of social innovation. In: Nicholls A, Murdock A (eds) Social innovation: blurring boundaries to reconfigure markets. Palgrave Macmillan, LondonCrossRef Nicholls A, Murdock A (2012) The nature of social innovation. In: Nicholls A, Murdock A (eds) Social innovation: blurring boundaries to reconfigure markets. Palgrave Macmillan, LondonCrossRef
go back to reference Olsen, OK (2010) Are good leaders moral leaders? The relationship between effective military operational leadership and morals’. Dissertation for the philosophiae doctor degree (PhD) at the University of Bergen Olsen, OK (2010) Are good leaders moral leaders? The relationship between effective military operational leadership and morals’. Dissertation for the philosophiae doctor degree (PhD) at the University of Bergen
go back to reference Osburg T, Schmidpeter R (2013) Social innovation: solutions for a sustainable future. CSR, sustainability, ethics & governance series. Springer, LondonCrossRef Osburg T, Schmidpeter R (2013) Social innovation: solutions for a sustainable future. CSR, sustainability, ethics & governance series. Springer, LondonCrossRef
go back to reference O’Brien DJ (2013) The charismatic principle in an american and democratic context. In: Bruni L, Sena B (eds) The charismatic principle in social life. Routledge, New York, pp 37–46 O’Brien DJ (2013) The charismatic principle in an american and democratic context. In: Bruni L, Sena B (eds) The charismatic principle in social life. Routledge, New York, pp 37–46
go back to reference Rhode DL, Kellerman B (eds) (2007) Women and leadership: the state of play and strategies for change. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco Rhode DL, Kellerman B (eds) (2007) Women and leadership: the state of play and strategies for change. Jossey-Bass, San Francisco
go back to reference Rimondini G (2009) Gruppo Società Gas Rimini. 1959–2009, Cinquantesimo anniversario dall’inizio dell’erogazione del gas. Società Gas Rimini, Rimini Rimondini G (2009) Gruppo Società Gas Rimini. 1959–2009, Cinquantesimo anniversario dall’inizio dell’erogazione del gas. Società Gas Rimini, Rimini
go back to reference Rose C (2007) Does female board representation influence firm performance? The Danish evidence. Corp Gov 15(2):404–413CrossRef Rose C (2007) Does female board representation influence firm performance? The Danish evidence. Corp Gov 15(2):404–413CrossRef
go back to reference Shackleton K (1999) Gender segregation in Scottish chartered accountancy; the deployment of male concerns about the admission of women 1900–25. Account Bus Financial Hist 9(1):135–156CrossRef Shackleton K (1999) Gender segregation in Scottish chartered accountancy; the deployment of male concerns about the admission of women 1900–25. Account Bus Financial Hist 9(1):135–156CrossRef
go back to reference Spence C, Gray R (2008) Social and environmental reporting and the business case. ACCA, London Spence C, Gray R (2008) Social and environmental reporting and the business case. ACCA, London
go back to reference Stein E (1996) Essays on woman, 2nd edn. ICS Publications, Washington DC Stein E (1996) Essays on woman, 2nd edn. ICS Publications, Washington DC
go back to reference Tilt C (2015) Gender diversity on corporate boards and CSR. Paper for the SIDREA International Workshop Meditari Accountancy Research European Conference 2015, University of Bologna, Forlì, 2–3 July 2015, pp 1–19 Tilt C (2015) Gender diversity on corporate boards and CSR. Paper for the SIDREA International Workshop Meditari Accountancy Research European Conference 2015, University of Bologna, Forlì, 2–3 July 2015, pp 1–19
go back to reference Walker B, Salt D (2006) Resilience thinking: sustaining ecosystems and people in a changing world. Island Press, Washington DC Walker B, Salt D (2006) Resilience thinking: sustaining ecosystems and people in a changing world. Island Press, Washington DC
go back to reference Walker SP (2006) Philanthropic women and accounting. Octavia Hill and the exercise of ‘quiet power and sympathy. Account Bus Financial Hist 16(2):163–194CrossRef Walker SP (2006) Philanthropic women and accounting. Octavia Hill and the exercise of ‘quiet power and sympathy. Account Bus Financial Hist 16(2):163–194CrossRef
go back to reference Weber M (1947) The theory of social and economic organization. The Free Press of Glencoe, Collier-Macmillan Limited, London (Copyright 1947 by Oxford University Press, New York, Inc. printed in the USA. First Free Press Paperback Edition 1964) Weber M (1947) The theory of social and economic organization. The Free Press of Glencoe, Collier-Macmillan Limited, London (Copyright 1947 by Oxford University Press, New York, Inc. printed in the USA. First Free Press Paperback Edition 1964)
go back to reference Wiskin C (2006) Businesswomen and financial management: three eighteenth-century case studies. Account Bus Financial Hist 16(2):143–161CrossRef Wiskin C (2006) Businesswomen and financial management: three eighteenth-century case studies. Account Bus Financial Hist 16(2):143–161CrossRef
go back to reference Yin RK (1994) Case study research: design and methods, 2nd edn. SAGE, Newbury Park Yin RK (1994) Case study research: design and methods, 2nd edn. SAGE, Newbury Park
go back to reference Yukl GA (2010) Leadership in organizations, 7th edn. Prentice-Hall, New York Yukl GA (2010) Leadership in organizations, 7th edn. Prentice-Hall, New York
Metadata
Title
Ethics, gift and social innovation through CSR and female leadership in business administration in Italy
Authors
Maria-Gabriella Baldarelli
Mara Del Baldo
Publication date
26-10-2016
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Sustainability Nexus Forum / Issue 2-3/2016
Print ISSN: 2948-1619
Electronic ISSN: 2948-1627
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00550-016-0413-8