Introduction

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is gaining more attention by society in recent years. The authors chose Arla Foods in the dairy industry, which is one of the leading dairy companies in the world and headquarter in Viby, Denmark, as a case study.

Problem discussion

Many researchers have been engaged in researching CSR activities; a modern corporation can gain numerous benefits. To investigate motivations behind CSR is to know why a company chooses to commit to CSR while there is the growing attention among stakeholder groups towards a company’s behaviors. In this study, the authors chose Arla Foods as a case company for their high interest in CSR activities and accessibility.

Purpose

To investigate motivations behind a company’s practiced CSR activities.

Methodology

In this study, the authors took interpretivism and practiced in a deductive way. By examining existing theories and collecting data, qualitative research has been chosen in order to investigate motivations behind Arla Foods’s CSR. Primary and secondary data are collected to ensure the quality of the study.

Empirical

The empirical materials collected from the code of conduct and annual report of Arla as well as information from interviewee are reliable, exact, and consistent with theory.

Analysis

Exploring the connection between theories and empirical which have been divided into definition of CSR, stakeholder and three motivations of Arla.

Conclusion

What CSR Arla is doing is consistent with definition which examined the categories of Arla’s CSR activities, however those activities are tools or implements to help reach the company’s financial goals.