When CSR activities are being planned at a new or existing foreign site, the first step is to take stock of the situation. The company’s CSR-relevant principles and values, as well as the applicable guidelines and systems, need to be adapted to local circumstances. Each country’s specific conditions, the needs of the various stakeholders, and local cultural and socioeconomic characteristics must be considered.

Accordingly, the following steps are essential in drafting a CSR strategy for a foreign market:

1. Taking stock of the situation, bearing in mind the company’s existing social engagement and internal guidelines (on site as well as throughout the company).
2. Identifying the social, economic and ecological effects of entrepreneurial activity on the on-site value chain.
3. Engaging in dialogue with stakeholders aimed at recognizing and understanding existing challenges and expectations.
4. Identifying and anticipating trends and external factors that may affect corporate action.
5. Benchmarking existing CSR projects of other companies or organizations, both on site and in comparable markets.

Such preliminary work should involve the company’s employees, representing all relevant departments, as well as external stakeholders (customers, suppliers, NGOs etc.). This produces a complete picture of differing opinions and needs, and ensures from the outset that the necessary acceptance and support, both internal and external, will be forthcoming for the company’s CSR initiatives. The German foreign missions, the respective branch of the chamber of commerce abroad and the office of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) may be helpful in arranging for a dialogue with the relevant stakeholders.