In research

The integration of ecological and social challenges in research with the aim of effectively moving business and society, which was identified through a materiality assessment conducted alongside its stakeholders, is defined as one of the 5 CSR Priorities of Audencia.Research will be financed through the Audencia Foundation, who has placed these themes in the heart of its fundraising campaign.

To integrate the challenges of ecological and social transition in Research, Audencia has developed 2 complementary approaches. On the one hand, research in these themes is developed in a multi-disciplinary approach to deal with the complexity of issues and propose global solutions. On the other hand, faculty receive training and attend research seminars enabling them to integrate the challenges of ecological and social transition in a transversal manner. To further encourage this dynamic, a higher bonus is given to faculty publishing research contributing to the acceleration of the ecological and social transition.

Illustration of Objectives:

5 elements characterize our approach:

• Multidisciplinarity: research projects mobilize different disciplines such as strategy, finance, entrepreneurship, human resources, marketing, supply chain, as well as several managerial, economic, sociological, organizational or philosophical approaches.
• Its links to its domestic community, as well as the national and international level: our connections with local and national community and our international ambitions are reflected in the subject choices.
• The consideration given to our stakeholders: the CSR research projects reflect the importance of taking into account and studying all stakeholders – whether it be businesses (big or small) or civil society, organizations or government – in order to better understand CSR and its implications
• Collaboration: through its multidisciplinary nature, collaborations are necessary and are reflected in the development projects and partnerships
• Action-research: this approach aims to better understand the perspectives of practitioners and contributes to the resolution of the problems studied.

Audencia’s research themes explore many fields directly or indirectly related to CSR, sustainable development, and business ethics. Each in their own way contributes to developments and reflections on the relationship between business and society.

Research aim to respond to three major challenges:

• The design and implementation of sustainable business and development models (in line with carbon neutrality objectives).

• The definition and adoption of managerial approaches promoting inclusive organizations and societies.

• The creation and use of responsible technologies and information.

Apart from having the Organization studies and Ethics department which is home to our experts in the field of sustainability, CSR, and Ethics. Audencia also is home to the research group CARES, which organizes interdepartmental seminars and research writing retreats open to all faculty and doctoral students on topics related to CSR and sustainability.

The list of seminars 

• Perspectives on CSR (political, strategic, stakeholders…): Emma Avetisyan, Andrew Crane, Gervaise Debucquet, Jennifer Goodman,  Céline Louche, Heidi Reed, Thomas Roulet
• Grand challenges and complex systems (SDGs, Doughnut Economics…): Emma Avetisyan, Andrew Crane, Jennifer Goodman, Céline Louche, Elvira Periac, Heidi Reed
• Sustainability-oriented and responsible innovation: Gervaise Debucquet, Jennifer Goodman, Céline Louche
• Responsible leadership: Andrew Crane, Marianna Fotaki, Sandrine Frémeaux, Thomas Roulet
• Business ethics: Thibaut Bardon, Andrew Crane, Jean-Luc Castro, Marianna Fotaki, Sandrine Frémeaux, Heidi Reed, Thomas Roulet, Roberta Sferrazzo,
• Diversity, inclusion and equality: Guilherme Azevedo, Marianna Fotaki, Sandrine Frémeaux , Sophie Hennekam, Christine Naschberger, Camilla Quental, Jie Shen, Yuliya Shymko
• Responsible management education:  Emma Avetisyan, Sandrine Frémeaux, Jennifer Goodman, Lucie Noury
• Cross-sector collaboration (NGOs, public sector):  Andrew Crane, Jennifer Goodman, Elvira Periac
• ESG ratings and CSR disclosure:  Emma Avetisyan, Céline Louche
• Energy transition and socio-industrial design: Guilherme Azevedo
• Sustainable business models:  Andrew Crane, Céline Louche
• Sustainable finance:  Céline Louche
• Food, sustainability and nature: Emma Avetisyan, Gervaise Debucquet
• Corruption and anti-fraud: Marianna Fotaki, Bertrand Venard