There are two main elements of responsible behaviour by companies:
- Company-level responsibility, applying to organisational behaviour in general
- Innovation-level responsibility, specific to each innovative development or class of developments.
Company level responsibility
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a self-regulating business model that helps a company be socially accountable; to itself, its stakeholders, and the public. By practicing corporate social responsibility, companies can be conscious of the kind of impact they are having on all aspects of society, including economic, social, and environmental.
One way of monitoring CSR would be BSI ISO 26000:
In 2010, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) released a set of voluntary standards meant to help companies implement corporate social responsibility. Unlike other ISO standards, ISO 26000 provides guidance rather than requirements because the nature of CSR is more qualitative than quantitative, and its standards cannot be certified.
Instead, ISO 26000 clarifies what social responsibility is and helps organizations translate CSR principles into practical actions. The standard is aimed at all types of organizations, regardless of their activity, size, or location. And, because many key stakeholders from around the world contributed to developing ISO 26000, this standard represents an international consensus.
Innovation specific responsibility
PAS 440 provides a structure and template to continuously monitor the benefits and risks of Societal, Environmental, Health, Supply chain and Regulation
A responsible innovation framework (RIF table) would be completed for each innovation and iterations of those innovations. Combining the company level and innovation specific levels, results in a holistic approach to achieving responsible innovation
