How Much (E)S in CSR?

This paper approaches the problem of CSR in the context of social economy development in New Member States at the example of Poland. We explore the opportunities for companies to engage into socially beneficial undertakings with direct rather than indirect economic advantages. Namely, we demonstrate to what extent currently existing legal regulations enable bridging the world of civil society institutions with corporate world. We suggest that even without specialized instruments adopted and implemented by CEECs governments, innovative inclusion solutions developed by civil society organizations may actually provide sufficient incentives for companies in new member states to develop CSR. We suggest that for instance standard handicapped rehabilitation legislation not only enables CSR through social inclusion, but actually provides strong financial incentives. We furthermore raise the issue of how legal regulations regarding the labour market situation of other groups endangered by exclusion may lead to unfair competition between the groups of excluded. Finally, we suggest a mechanism for fostering CSR via social enterprises.