By Januarius Asongu 

This article looks at the meaning of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), as well as the traditional arguments for the practice of CSR. The four traditional arguments are the moral (or ethical) argument, the license-to-operate (or legal) argument, the sustainability argument, and finally the reputation (brand image) argument. While acknowledging that these are solid arguments in support of CSR, the article further argues that another solid reason for pursuing a strategic CSR program is that it could lead to innovation. The article highlights the value chain analysis that DuPont has developed to tackle the climate change problem, showing how it has led to innovations that are not only helping the company, but also addressing the global warming issue at a global level, while also making DuPont’s business safer and more profitable in the medium to long term. In conclusion, the article argues that CSR should not just be considered an expense, but rather an investment.