Socially responsible purchasing in the automotive industry

Purpose – The purpose of the paper is to present a new process for the evaluation of an automotive organisation’s suppliers by corporate social responsibility (CSR) measures. Design/methodology/approach – A methodology for socially responsible purchasing is detailed along with a case study outlining its use within a large automotive manufacturer. Findings – Socially responsible purchasing has a positive impact on the performance, trust and cooperation of the supplier base. Industry practitioner’s state that cost and implementation difficulties are reasons for purchasing and supply managers’ reluctance to participate in CSR activities. The CSR evaluation process within the case study organisation identified which suppliers should be considered for CSR audit; giving the purchasing manager, of the case study organisation, an objective basis for decision-making. Research limitations/implications – Future development of the approach may involve the integration of the CSR tool more closely with strategy and policy procedures of an organisation. The CSR tool may also be developed for use in sectors beyond the automotive industry. Additional commentary is given on the potential relevance of this approach to the retail sector. Practical implications – The methodology and case study descriptions provide an outline template for purchasing and supply managers with the automotive sector and guidance for interested practitioners in other industries. Originality/value – This paper expands the guidance available for purchasing professionals wishing to evaluate the CSR impact of procurement decisions.