Editorial

Citation

Aras, G. and Crowther, D. (2012), "Editorial", Social Responsibility Journal, Vol. 8 No. 2. https://doi.org/10.1108/srj.2012.36808baa.001

Editorial

Article Type: Editorial From: Social Responsibility Journal, Volume 8, Issue 2

The concept of social responsibility has become ubiquitous – in all walks of life and worldwide – and it is not possible to be oblivious to the concern with this issue, which is gathering pace throughout the world. Nor it is possible to escape from the plethora of calls for action or statements of intent that surround this concept as far as corporations are concerned. However, the concept of responsibility also needs to apply to other forms of organisation, such as not-for-profit organisations and governments. More significantly, it needs also to apply to us all as individuals.

All of these together provide a rationale for the existence of this journal; its development over the years demonstrates our success in meeting the need. Social responsibility has implications not just for us as individuals but also as members of communities and society at large. Sadly this is often more apparent by its absence than by anything else. Education is one way to bring about change and this is one important aspect of the work of this journal and of the network of which it is the official mouthpiece. As an academic journal of course, run by academics it is impossible to ignore this motivation and no one involved would wish to ignore this. Another potential way to bring about change, however, is through an engagement in scholarly debate, involving as many people as possible from as many different backgrounds as possible. The purpose of this journal, therefore, is to foster this debate and to raise an awareness of both the ongoing debate and the need for this debate.

We are now in the eight volume of the journal and it seems justified that the aims and scope of this journal have been set deliberately wide in the belief that there are many aspects to the discourse of social responsibility. All are encouraged in this journal, and the contents of this – and every – issue are a reflection of this. Over the years we have seen a wide variety of issues researched and discussed and we seek to encourage this diversity. In this global village of ours it is also important that everyone is given a voice to participate in the discourse. The journal therefore encourages contributions from anyone, no matter where in the world they are located and no matter what in disciplinary background they reside. Hence the diversity of the contributions in this – and past and future – issues. All contributions have been blind refereed, of course, but this refereeing has been undertaken in full recognition that different approaches abound, as do different expectations around the world. All that matters in this journal is the quality of the contribution rather than the style of presentation. The refereeing process is designed to facilitate this.

Our aim in the production of this journal therefore is to further the discourse of social responsibility. In doing so, however, it is also one of changing this global village into a global community. And in a community everyone has a voice, even those dissenting – again one of the aims of this journal.

There is nothing further to say at this point, from an editorial perspective, except to read the content and more particularly contribute to the debate.

Guler Aras, David Crowther