Abstract

The article explores foreign studies which reveal significant differences in corporate social policy and performance associated with firm size and sphere of economic activity in Germany, France, Canada and the United States. The studies provide insights into the ways that corporate-society relationships are being defined and responded to in each of the countries. Comparative analysis of the studies strongly confirms the growing international interest in changing corporate-society relationships. The German and Canadian studies take an intermediate position, including both environmental issues and corporate contributions. In the U.S., however, the work environment and the status of employees are conspicuously omitted from consideration as aspects of corporate social performance.