Implementing CSR through partnerships: Understanding the selection, design and institutionalisation of nonprofit-business partnerships

Partnerships between businesses and nonprofit organisations are an increasinglyprominent element of corporate social responsibility implementation. The paper is basedon two in depth partnership case studies (Earthwatch-Rio Tinto and Prince’s Trust-RoyalBank of Scotland) that move beyond a simple stage model to reveal the deeper levelmicro-processes in the selection, design and institutionalisation of business-NGOpartnerships. The suggested practice-tested model is followed by a discussion thathighlights management issues within partnership implementation and a practicalPartnership Test to assist managers in testing both the accountability and level ofinstitutionalisation of the relationship in order to address any possible skill gaps.Understanding how CSR partnerships are implemented in practice contributes to thebroader CSR and partnership literatures a context specific level of detail in a systematicway that allows for transferable learning in both theory and practice.