Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of Dutch entrepreneurs in the 20th century

On the basis of articles in contemporary periodicals, literature and company archives this article explores the views of entrepreneurs and society about what constitutes the responsibility of entrepreneurs. From the mid-nineteenth century we can trace discussions about how entrepreneurs should behave in their own company and towards society, but these ideas were far from constant over time. The changing views on the social responsibilities of entrepreneurs give us therefore important information about changes in the national business system. Though focused on the Dutch entrepreneurs in their relationship to Dutch society, the article includes the influence of ideas from abroad. International management literature abounded in the Netherlands and multinational companies often picked up ideas from other countries. How companies and entrepreneurs defined their responsibilities depended to a large extent on the criticisms launched by the outside world. Entrepreneurs and company managers responded to concerns in the society of which they formed part and the progressive ones amongst them, the true leaders, tried to find ways of reconciling the requirements of their business with the demands of the society.