Background to CSR - In this environment, the impact of behaviour, values and ethics on achieving a company's strategic vision represents a timely and valuable undertaking. This behaviour, often called Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a new focus on ethical and social issues (Sen & Bhattacharya 2001). CSR leads marketers to the notion of both global and stakeholder responsibility, and an organizational system that begs for sustainability not just to outlast the competition, but to increase customer loyalty, presence in the global market, and a stronger unification with the political bureaucracies. There is a clear integrative framework involved that impacts the idea of sustainable marketing concepts (Maignan & Ferrell 2004). Indeed, at the same time, "culture" has changed, too; there is likely not a country in the
This recent reality, combined with globalization, is forcing companies to forge new kinds of relationships with buyers and countries. The financial valuation of companies are taking ever greater account of intangible elements, such as brands, patents and the company’s general image, with companies being bound to take account of these things in an effort to satisfy their shareholders. Environmental protection has become a highly motivating factor, and companies are being pressed to identify stakeholders with whom to team up. With brand value and reputation increasingly being seen as one of a company’s most valuable assets, CSR is now seen as building loyalty and trust amongst shareholders, employees and customers ( Tssa, (n.d.)).
Based on my interpretation of CSR, I see it as a voluntary obligation that companies have promised to their stakeholders to fulfill by improving, or at least not harm, the environmental and social wellbeing. When companies engage in CSR, they voluntarily promise to, for example, carry the responsibility to protect the environment and take actions against bribe or other corruptive activities related to their business. It certainly has some positive influences to specific areas based on my knowledge gained from other classes; nevertheless, when judge CSR in the context of total impacts on our society and environment, it is obvious that CSR has failed its mission to lessen the negative impacts of business based on the evidences that provided by the author. Also, since there is a strong positive relationship between CSR behaviors and consumers’ reactions to a firm’s products and services, it seems to me, now, that CSR for the most companies is just a fancy cover that helps them to create or promote a good image and reputation. The recent case that shows the failure of CSR of Volkswagen even make me believe that CSR programs may be just a marketing or public relation exercise for many
Many young girls and women face gender barriers and discrimination across the world. Stereotypes are made by people that believe women are weak, slow, and shy. Those assumptions can make a woman or girl feel less than what she is. Always brand main focus is to empower women and girls across the world. The Always campaign called “Like A Girl” addresses the limitations girl's face and how the world views them. The always commercial expresses concern through self-reports from girls that feel they have been restricted, in addition to that the perspective of girls from others, and the overall experiences. The Always pad commercial cares about the lives of girls as they go through puberty. As well, as trying to shape them into strong young women. Overall the company promises to help boost young girl's confidence by showing them how to face barriers and obstacles. The company does a great job at attracting consumers and keeping their attention all while not advertising their
Businesses, specifically larger corporations, play a major role in what occurs in society therefore, they are responsible to their stakeholders not only to pursue economic goals but the greater social good as well. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) means that a corporation should act in a way that enhances society and its inhabitants and be held accountable for any of its actions that affect people, their communities, and their environment. (Lawrence, 2010). Social responsibility is becoming the norm so much so that some businesses have incorporated it into their business model. There are three components of the bottom line of social
However, stakeholders can be defined as including employees, shareholders, and consumers. CSR is a growing trend that is important to consumers, especially to the millennial generation. It is actually investing in the future of the company to conduct CSR and to formulate long-term, profitable relationships of trust with millennials, who are the consumers of the future. Proper CSR can also attract future talent to support and work with the organization. A 2002 study conducted by Net Impact found that more than half of the 2,100 MBA students surveyed indicated they would accept a lower salary in order to work for a socially responsible company. (Kotler & Lee, 2005). CSR can be a means of not only building a positive brand image and respected corporate philosophy, but also attracting young working talent and developing the company’s market share with the upcoming millennial
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) as defined by Carroll (1979) refers to the inclusion of moral, lawful and economical obligations that is expected of a business by the society (Brtitzelmaier, Kraus 2012). Organisations are expected to act responsibly, but many would agree that their actions and policies do have a direct or indirect effect on the society at large and the environment. The success of most organisations is dependent on their corporate
In a competitive business environment where consumers are increasingly aware of their buying power, they are asserting their right to not only demand quality but hold companies to account to high standards. They are concerned with where the goods were originated, the conditions under which the goods are manufactured and what ethos a brand stands by. It has become crucial for a business to be built on ethical practices in order for an organization to maintain its success. Over time the idea of CSR just being an unnecessary expense has shifted, with it coming as far as being called out as a, ‘definitively important strategic issue’, Businesses now see CSR as a method of generating and protecting income through creating a good brand image and customer loyalty.
Therefore, corporate’ activities have strong influences to the stakeholders. Hildebrand,D,et,al (2011) argued that under a specific but identifiable situation, a company’s CSR actions are able to satisfy stakeholders’ higher-order and self-related demand, meanwhile enabling the stakeholders to identify with the company. On the other hand, Piercy, N. and Lane, N.(2009) indicated that CSR seems to be the most efficient way for the corporate marketing efforts of most firms. It may enable the stakeholders to be loyal even life-long customers of the companies.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is something that affects all companies and should be an active factor in the company’s decision making. It is something all corporations need to care about. CSR is when business’ or corporations take part in an initiative or campaign for a cause that will benefit society and/or in some way make the world a better place (Taylor, 2015). Initially, Corporate Social Responsibility started to take shape around the 1950’s, but some say that it dates all the way back to the 1800s, the idea of CSR was seen (Carroll, 2007). One may think that because it is dated so long ago, it doesn’t have an important impact today nevertheless, it is proven that Corporate Social Responsibility is a pathway for entities to self benefit as they are in the process of benefitting society.
Current approaches to CSR are fragmented and/or disconnected from business goals. Many firms still consider CSR as another generic public relations problem in which media campaigns and CSR reports are used to paint the company as a positive ethical, social and or environmental advocator and supporter. For example, the annual reports discuss a firm’s sensitivities to CSR issues, but completely lack the entire story and offer no further forward commitments from the firm. Further, the ratings and rankings measurements are self-appointed by the firm, not always accurate to validate the work and direct impact to what they are measuring, and the criteria base varies widely and weighed differently in the final scoring. Worst of all the data lacks impartial auditors for validating the data to ensure the ratings have been accurately met, and data is statistically significant and a good proxy for what it is supposed to reflect. This has resulted in reactive initiatives designed to appease vocal
CSR lacks universal methods. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) mentions that it is important to draw a distinction between CSR as part of strategic business management concept and charity, sponsorships or philanthropy. The latter applications make valuable social impacts that enhance the reputations of the companies, however, CSR is a continual effort instead of an instance. A few features that CSR should focus on are: eco-efficiency, employee and community relations, environmental management, gender balance, responsible souring, anti-corruption, stakeholder engagement and human rights. Utilizing some of these key features a company can bring competitive advantages into the market place. Increased sales and profits from operational cost savings as well as improved reputation and brand image and customer loyalty can result from a well-defined CSR strategy.
It is a viable alternative to apply CSR in Corporate and management strategies to outclass competing companies. An organization by carrying out its ethical principles and convictions in their activities and propagating them via organizational network influences the relationship with shareholders, clients and employees. The application of CSR can lead to social benefits and legitimacy for the firm since it can consider itself as a coalition in which the different stakeholders participate to gain their own benefit. (Freeman, 1984).
Among modern century more companies are being interested about corporate social responsibility (CSR) as business reports proved that it became a fact in business growth. CSR is a mechanism accomplished to maintain the economic, legal, and ethical responsibility to the community as same as organization. Stakeholder theory enables managers to take account of these different interests in business ethical responsibility:
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is defined as the corporate initiatives taken by the company which take responsibility to its stakeholders (Tricker, 2012). Over the years, most of the public listed companies are moving away from shareholders-oriented to stakeholders-oriented. This might be because they realised that it was no longer enough to focus on financial performance alone to enhance business sustainability and credibility. The companies with stakeholder perception believe that the CSR practices has a positive impact on their Corporate Financial Performance (CFP) and reputation.