Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has been a much talked about topic and the importance of CSR has been increasing over the years. Companies that embrace CSR hold themselves responsible for their activities and strive to make a positive impact on the environment and the society. CSR has several definitions and can be comprehended differently by various stakeholders. One of the definitions mentioned by ACCA (2014) is “a company’s obligation to all of its stakeholders across all of its activities with the aim of achieving sustainable development in the economic, the social, and the environmental dimensions”. Others define CSR as the overall contribution of business to sustainable development. Many factors have managed to increase the …show more content…
Gaining competitive advantage One argument forcing an increase in CSR activities is for companies to gain competitive advantage. Companies engage in improved innovation and market positioning, resulting in competitive advantages. One of the examples of innovation, to gain competitive advantage, is the launch of Toyota Prius, a hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV). Toyota became the world market leader in hybrid cars after the launch of HEVs. In addition to the environmental benefits that HEV has to offer, this increased the top line of Toyota and they were able to licence the technology to companies like Ford. This added to Toyota’s profitability. CSR can assist in shaping customer loyalty built on ethical principles. Some companies are committed to CSR and use it as their main positioning instrument. Strategic tactics are used to gain public backing, helping them to gain competitive advantage by using their CSR initiatives as another form of advertising. These practices create a differentiation in products and services from its competitors. For example, Dettol introduced a marketing concept where a penny was donated upon purchase of any of their products. Dettol products gained popularity in the marketplace which assisted in distinguishing themselves from other antibacterial soaps
Companies lthat incorporate CSR in their strategic objectives are more innovative,for example Unilever was able to create new products such as
CSR is the Company Social Responsibility. It can be defined as the responsibility of the company towards the community and the environment in which it operates. It is way through which the social, economic and environmental imperatives balance of the company can be achieved and at the same time the expectations of the stakeholders can be met.
Proper implication of CSR can bring benefits to the organisation by increases in capital, sales, profit, markets, brand name, and customer loyalty.
As it stands today, corporate social responsibility (CSR) does not have a universal definition. It can be interpreted and applied in a number of different ways. Regardless of how it is defined, many companies and organizations are incorporating CSR into their business practices and goals, while strategies and motives may vary from organization to organization. I think it is important for companies to define CSR based on their own corporate culture and stakeholder needs.
CSR is an important part of how a business operates in an ethical way, a corporation’s practices are deemed as ethical if it operates in such a way that is both clean and ecological to the environment, and one that abides by the law. By following this conduct, the corporation follows a much moral way of operating. A corporation that operates in harmful ways, such as exploitation, corruption
Capitalism is dominating the lives of today’s world and people do not even realize how they are being swindled. The civilians of the modern society do not acknowledge how they are being used as assets to make bottom lines for the world’s most competitive companies. With so many corporations and businesses running, there is a neverending race of who can get the most consumers and profits. For companies to attract investors and customers, they use CSR, or corporate social responsibility, to gain advantages in the business industry. Corporate social responsibility is when a company decides to do certain activities to help improve society . CSR consists of different types of categories which are philanthropy, ethical labor practices, and the environment. Throught the decades, there has been a constant debate that concerns how beneficial and helpful corporate social responsibility really is. Some people argue that CSR can let a company make profits and help the general public at the same time, but others suggest that companies who use CSR are only prioritizing their self interest and wealth. Therefore, a company cannot be socially responsible while simultaneously making a profit because corporate social responsibility is used as a way to avoid government regulation and to greenwash a company’s reputation.
Corporate social responsibility is most commonly defined by the relationship between a business and its stakeholders through the adoption and consideration of ethical, social and environmental concerns. CSR makes businesses accountable for the area around them, which creates the belief that these corporations must spend a considerable amount of time and capital on improving the local labour, environment and infrastructure. Many laws and partnerships are put into place by the government in order to encourage and promote
A broad overview at corporate social responsibility (CSR) looks to corporations to make a change in the society or the environment. This is achieved through business practices such as giving to charities, whether time or money, through corporate governance, or in environmental initiatives.
This is the direct outcome of pride in the company’s practices and products (Hohnen and Potts, 2007). Also, staffs who perceive their company to be socially responsible will be more committed to the company and out-perform those staffs who perceive a huge deal of irresponsibility. Besides, the company’s performance is likely to improve because employees see a socially responsible organization as a just organization and return this fairness through dedication and loyalty (Gross, 2011). Another advantage of doing CSR to companies is increased sales and market share. Consumers prefer to be associated with a firm that is ethical and has a positive image or in other words, does CSR. Various companies have become innovative and started to contribute a fair portion of their sales to certain cause. This has 2 fold advantages that is, it boost the brand image and helps in product differentiation and thus increases its sales (Soulace.in, 2014).
Put differently, CSR involves “voluntary and proactive” actions that are relevant to the corporation, integrated into its business model and “focus on long-term success and
Nowadays, almost every modern company is doing CSR. Why? What are the advantages that these companies actually perceive when
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a concept whereby organizations consider the wellbeing of the public by taking responsibility for the effect of their actions on all stakeholders; customers, employees, shareholders, communities and the environment in every aspect of their operations. This responsibility is seen to extend beyond the statutory obligation to comply with legislation and sees organizations willingly undertaking additional steps to improve the quality of life for employees and their families as well as for the local community and society at large.
CSR has become a large part of a businesses brand image, in the 1950s the primary focus was on businesses ' responsibilities to society and doing good deeds for society. In the 1980s, business and social interest’s became closer and firms became more responsive to their stakeholders. During the 1990s the idea of CSR became almost universally approved, finally in the 2000s, CSR became an important business strategic issue (Rosamaria et al. 2011).
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) also known as the “social responsibility” is defined by the European Commission as an concept where business integrate social and environment concern in their day to day activities on a voluntary basis. CSR has encapsulated the interest of one and all in term of economic, social, and environmental concern and it has become more and more important in the past years.
European Commission defines[3] that CSR is , " A concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interaction with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis. "