The current crisis has shown that we are not facing a merely economic problem, but in fact something much more profound which affects society’s trust in organisations. It is above all a question of the values and principles that have guided business in recent decades. These values and principles have led to organisations failing to achieve their inherent social purpose: that of meeting human needs. This has led companies to lose sight of the reason for their existence, thereby creating mistrust within the society of which it is a part, and from which it obtains the resources necessary to be able undertake its activities.

Meeting the demands of a Corporate Social Responsibility that is based on solid ethical foundations – ethos, prudential reason and justice – and considered from the perspective of participation by all the Stakeholders in the organisation’s management, could be a key factor in minimising the harmful effects of the current recession as much as is possible, re-establishing trust from society, and fostering the prevention of possible future cases. With the participation by all their Stakeholders in a dialogue that is as egalitarian and symmetrical as possible, organisations can gradually create a culture that meets the current expectations of society and can thereby once again regain its trust.