A BRIEF PRESENTATION: THE RHETORIC OF RISK IN CSR REPORTS

This is a brief presentation of the methodology of a study in progress for identifying rhetorical strategies used in CSR reports having to deal with risk issues. It presents the conceptual approach of a study meant to analyze excerpts of CSR reports for 2012 of several US large companies. The analysis is rooted in discourse analysis and rhetorical theory. The focus of the study is the way in which the company addresses the stakeholders so as to argue implicitly in favor of the company’s preoccupation for risk prevention, elimination of various hazards, counter balancing negative consequences and effects of the company’s activity. The study discusses anticipates on possible findings to be later valued in the field of Business Ethics.