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    Ethics in corporate Research and Development (R&D): can Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) approaches aid sustainability?

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    Date
    2019-08-17
    Author
    Stahl, Bernd Carsten;
    Chatfield, Kate;
    Brem, Alexander;
    Ten Holter, Carolyn
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    Abstract
    An increase in the number of companies that publish corporate social responsibility (CSR) statements, and a rise in their ‘sustainability’ research, reflects a growing acceptance that broad ethical considerations are key for any type of company. However, little is known about how companies consider moral objectives for their research and development activities, or the basis upon which these activities are chosen. This research involves qualitative investigation into Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) in the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry, comprising 30 in-depth, pan-European interviews with key personnel in the industry, and focus groups with employees at 14 different companies. Through investigation of the ‘responsible’ activities these companies currently undertake, we shed light on the types of moral goals they set and their underlying ethical standpoints. By reviewing both the responsible innovation and sustainability discourses, and presenting phenomenological evidence, we demonstrate that companies have adopted some aspects of RRI, even though it might not be recognised as such. Our findings indicate that these innovators recognise some of the ethical and societal concerns associated with their activities but their approach is often piecemeal; primary focus is upon the most immediate issues and on legal compliance, to the detriment of broader societal issues and wider challenges. We recommend explicit mechanisms that draw upon established ethical thought and practical academic work to improve companies’ abilities to carry out their sustainability activities, and incorporate them into a responsible business strategy. We conclude with recommendations for innovators, corporate research and development, and policy.
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    The file attached to this record is the author's final peer reviewed version. The Publisher's final version can be found by following the DOI link.
    Citation : Stahl, B.C., Chatfield, K., Ten Holter, C. and Brem, A.(2019) Ethics in corporate Research and Development (R&D): can Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) approaches aid sustainability? Journal of Cleaner Production, 23, 118044.
    URI
    https://dora.dmu.ac.uk/handle/2086/18642
    DOI
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.118044
    ISSN : 0959-6526
    Research Institute : Centre for Computing and Social Responsibility (CCSR)
    Peer Reviewed : Yes
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    • School of Computer Science and Informatics [2966]

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