The State of Corporate Citizenship is a research project of the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship that examines how executives view corporate citizenship and their firms' performance in the environmental, social, and governance dimensions of business.
Corporate Citizenship

Corporate citizenship is how a company exercises its rights, obligations, privileges, and overall corporate responsibility within our local and global environments. The measurement and return on investment (ROI) of corporate responsibility and corporate citizenship is defined by how well companies responsibly manage not only their financial performance but also their environmental and social impact. Whether we call it CSR, Corporate Responsibility, or ESG, great corporate citizenship goes beyond a focus on addressing surface-level sustainability efforts or corporate philanthropy. Today’s leading responsible corporations draw on the collective impact of a variety of initiatives that address an array of trends and emerging issues.
What is their secret to making the greatest impact? They select the issues that can be met most directly by their unique resources. By addressing those issues that are most material to your company and industry, you can work with colleagues across your company to develop corporate citizenship programs through which value is shared by shareholders, employees, and other stakeholders—delivering both meaningful social value and a strong financial bottom line. As CSR professionals, we create, execute, and communicate initiatives that address many of the world’s most pressing challenges—issues that affect company operating contexts. The underlying goal of corporate citizenship remains clear: create a better world in which to do business and a better world in which to live.
The Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship is here to help. Below is a sample of the corporate citizenship examples and research we offer our members.
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The Profile of the Practice is a research project of the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship that explores how companies are executing corporate citizenship strategies, and how these practices have evolved to best address social and environmental issues while delivering business value.
Our work context is incredibly complex. The arenas routinely touched by corporate citizenship programs include the natural environment, financial markets, investors, communities, employees. How do we balance those priorities?
COURSE - Strategic planning is one of the most difficult but critical activities a citizenship professional can do to understand potential value and the steps they must take to reach it.
Two leading companies share how they are deploying their core competencies to address some of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
How two companies are tackling social and environmental issues by making large strategic investments in their processes and people.
Firms can achieve a sustainable, competitive advantage by improving corporate citizenship performance—which leads over time to improved corporate reputation.
In this webinar, you’ll hear from companies who are effectively managing and making improvements based on unique information provided by their stakeholders.
Interested in More Resources?
Explore our research archives for more on corporate citizenship. Search Resource LibraryUpcoming Courses in Corporate Citizenship
December 4-8, 2023 - This learning experience (available by application only) is designed to help you reflect on your leadership strengths and weaknesses, while developing actionable insights into your leadership style and practice.
Enroll NowJAN 11 - This complimentary 30 minute power session will review the knowledge products, industry research and services that are available to you as part of your membership, how you can access these services and how we can help you advance in the field of corporate citizenship.
Enroll NowFEB 1- Welcome to BCCCC Office Hours, just like you remember from college! This is a casual, online forum where anyone can drop in and ask questions about the Center or corporate citizenship in general. Please drop in!
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