Purpose: This paper seeks to suggest that the most appropriate way to construe the concept of enterprise education is from a pedagogical viewpoint. Enterprise education as pedagogy is argued to be the most appropriate way to think about the concept and serves to demarcate it from entrepreneurship education, which is very much about business start‐up and the new venture creation process.Design/methodology/approach: Enterprise education is underpinned by experiential action learning that can be in, outside and away from the normal classroom environment. It can be delivered across a range of subject areas throughout different phases of education.Findings: Enterprise and entrepreneurship education are perceived to be conflated terms that for many in the education and business communities mean much the same thing. Adopting an enterprise education approach allows greater pupil/student ownership of the learning process.Practical implications: Enterprise education as pedagogy advocates an approach to teaching where specific learning outcomes differ across and between different educational phases and subject areas but which has a clear and coherent philosophical underpinning.Originality/value: Enterprise education should not be equated solely with business, as it is a broader, deeper and richer concept. The theoretical import of the paper is in part a plea for a more rigorous, practically informed analysis of the different strands (pedagogy, entrepreneurship, citizenship and civic responsibility) that make up enterprise education. The paper also sets out the case for a more critical analysis of enterprise education.

Purpose – Building on the work of Carroll this article attempts to unravel, explore and explain corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a theoretical construct that has implications and consequences for corporate governance in particular, and more generally for the economy, business and society. It aims to extend Carroll's work on definitional constructs by re-examining some of the theoretical frameworks that underpin, inform and guide CSR. Design/methodology/approach – Carroll identified different levels, or a pyramid, of CSR and these are outlined and the advantages and disadvantages of a pyramid, levels-based approach discussed. The main contributions of this article lies is in its exploration of corporate social irresponsibility (CSI) as a concept in contrast to CSR. Bowd, Jones and Tench's CSI-CSR model is described, explained, analysed and used as a conceptual tool to make the theoretical move from a pyramid or level-based approach to a more dynamic framework of analysis. Findings – The proposition that CSI is better suited to a shareholder business model and CSR sits more comfortably with a stakeholder business model is examined. It is contested that people often wrongly equate CSR with irresponsible corporate actions. The CSI-CSR model establishes a theoretical framework around which grounded empirical research can be undertaken, applied and on which it can be reported. Research limitations/implications – This is a new area of research that addresses a gap in the literature and puts forward innovative theoretical models. Discussing the concept of irresponsibility makes for an interesting theoretical move. It questions the idea that corporations and business per se are always or necessarily socially responsible. Originality/value – In looking at and developing existing theoretical models, concepts and frameworks and exploring their merits, shortcomings and limitations, the article will be of interest and relevance to the business and academic communities. If there is such a thing as CSR then the implication is that there is such a thing as CSI and it is on this issue that this article seeks to promote and stimulate discussion.

Purpose – The purpose of this research is to develop understanding of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the Media. It reports on differing media interpretations, perceptions and perspectives of CSR and how they are prone to shift and change in part depending on the perceived definition and issue(s) discussed. Design/methodology/approach – The article reports on primary research findings that constitute a baseline study from which intra- and inter-national comparative analysis of CSR and the media might in future studies be progressed. Qualitative and quantitative data are used to gain insight to competing definitions and definitional components of CSR. Findings – The media view organisations' engagement with CSR through one or more of five possible orientations: Conformist, Cynic, Realist, Optimist and Strategic Idealist. These theoretical constructs are explained and their utility and usefulness as tools of practical analysis explored through application. Despite being open to positive news coverage media reports of CSR issues are largely negative in tone and the tension inherent to the Corporate Social Irresponsibility (CSI) and CSR dualism is alluded to. Originality/value – Exploring how the media interprets and understands CSR the article will be of interest and relevance to public relations and communication practitioners, policy makers and the academic community. Existing theoretical models, concepts and frameworks have the potential to be further developed and informed by these practice-based primary research findings. “Real-world” application has the potential to shape, guide and inform theoretical constructs. The article is set in the context of increasing media interest in CSR and the primary data whilst informing theoretical frameworks also furthers understanding of the concept from academic, business practitioner and stakeholders' perspectives.

Purpose: – This paper states the case for adopting a comparative method of analysis to the study of enterprise education. Adopting a comparative approach can provide fresh insights and opportunities for researching from different perspectives. It develops understanding of the concept by reexamining its origins and history. By default its purpose, development operation and rationale are also briefly discussed through reference to literature and policy. Design/methodology/approach: – This paper draws on the literature around enterprise and entrepreneurship education. It argues that comparative analysis of enterprise education is an important methodological tool that can enrich, deepen and inform research processes, findings and outcomes. Comparative analysis can take a number of forms and can include within country, cross-country, historical, temporal, longitudinal, spatial, pedagogical, policy or other types of comparison. Findings: – This paper unpacks and teases out some of the points of difference and similarity between enterprise education concepts, policies and practices; and the way they are introduced to, applied and operate in different contexts. The main focus and point for comparison is the UK. Enterprise education is distinct from and should not be confused with business and economics. Teacher training in the techniques of enterprise education and resources designed to suit social and cultural requirements is crucial to achieve successful project outcomes. Originality/value: – The comparative analysis of enterprise education programmes and policies advocated here adds value and provides additional insight to these concepts and practices.

Purpose: – This paper aims to posit the central argument that traditional media of old presented a clear, ordered world of communication management for organisations to extol their corporate social responsibility (CSR) credentials. In contrast to this, new Web 2.0 social media is increasingly being used by activists and hactivists to challenge corporate communication CSR messages and does so by highlighting instances and examples of corporate social irresponsibility (CSI) (Joneset al., 2009; Tenchet al., 2012).Design/methodology/approach: – The paper reports on research data from the European Communication Monitor, 2010, 2011 and 2012 (www.communicationmonitor.eu/) and draws on work already published in this area (Tenchet al., 2009; Verhoevenet al., 2012; Zerfasset al., 2010, 2011) to illustrate the unruly, unregulated Web 2.0 social media communication landscape in Europe. A range of literature is drawn on to provide the theoretical context for an exploration of issues that surround social media.Findings: – In late modernity (Giddens, 1990), communication comes in many guises. Social media is one guise and it has re-shaped as well as transformed the nature of communications and the relationship between organisations and their stakeholders.Originality/value: – Communicating CSR in the Wild West of social media requires diplomatic and political nous, as well as awareness and knowledge of the dangers and pitfalls of CSI. The data reported on in this paper well illustrate the above points and set out scenarios for future development of corporate communication of CSR through and with social media.