Oradea Journal of Business and Economics, Volume VII, Issue 1 Published on March 2022 98 THE AESTHETIC NATURE OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND GREENWASHING Leen Bakerjian  University of Debrecen, Geza Marton Doctoral School of Legal Studies, Debrecen, Hungary Leen.bakerjian@gmail.com Abstract: This article argues that the governance, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the communications and environmental practices done in the name of it should all recognize that the corporation is an aesthetic phenomenon. Through logos, trademarks, websites and product advertisement CSR practices are being aesthetically projected. In turn, this misleads and influences the consumer about the corporation’s environmental performance and compliance with CSR regulations. As a result, the article argues that the aesthetic nature of a corporation must be taken into consideration when punishing dishonest corporate behavior through governance methods. The illusion a corporation can create in claiming it is “green”, can create difficulties for regulations, therefore, tackling the wrongful and misleading statements about a corporation’s products can be more beneficial than focusing on the broader aesthetic of a corporation. Social and environmental activists play a subversive role in the equation which can help with unveiling the green mask. Though history has shown that these narratives can play a limited role in re-establishment, lawful regulation can assist these narratives in forming a more rigid practice when it comes to CSR and greenwashing. Keywords: CSR, Greenwashing, Environmental, Aesthetic, Consumerism JEL Classification: M14, K13, K32, K33 1. Introduction In recent years, Volkswagen launched a line of “clean diesel” cars claiming that these cars could be an alternative to hybrid and electric vehicles with the slogan “Clean Diesel, like really clean diesel”. Volkswagen installed emissions software to 11 million vehicles that allows them to sense the unique parameters of emissions drive cycle set by the Environmental Protection Agency. However, the cars did not comply with the company’s claims. It turned out that these devices detect the speed, throttle and other inputs in order to switch from one operating mode to another. The trick was that these vehicles are fully compliant with the claims made about them, but only when operating in the test mode. However, when driving normally and at a higher speed, the computer switches to a different mode significantly changing the way the vehicle runs and in turn, significantly increasing the amount of nitrogen oxide emissions alongside other pollutants and toxins. By doing so, Volkswagen is in violation of the Clean Air act and is being investigated for doing so. The result of the investigation could cost the automaker close to $18 billion. The Volkswagen scandal is one of the more extreme examples of greenwashing (Aurand et al., 2018). But the practice of claiming positive environmental performance and not delivering has been remarkably widespread among multinational corporations. A 2010 report suggests that 95% of “green” products are in fact not or include at least one questionable claim  Cite as: Bakerjian, L., 2022. The Aesthetic Nature of Corporate Social Responsibility and Greenwashing. Oradea Journal of Business and Economics, 7(1), pp. 98-108, http://doi.org/10.47535/1991ojbe141