Corporate Social Responsibility And Human Rights

“Humanity will not enjoy security without development, it will not enjoy development without security and it will not enjoy either without respect for human rights.” - UN World Summit, Outcome Document 2005. There have been many conflicts in the world that have affected

It was “solemnly” proclaimed that “The Universal Declaration of Human Rights [UNDHR] states a common understanding of the peoples of the world concerning the inalienable and inviolable rights of all members of the human family and constitutes an obligation for the members of the international community” . The UNDHR gave value to the term ‘human rights’, stressing the value of human dignity. However, the article also recognises the need for social order, Article 29 acknowledges that limits to these rights must be determined by law and can only be for the purposes of securing recognition and respect of others and to meet “the just requirements of morality, public order, and the general welfare in a democratic society”. Any restriction on these rights has to be justified as proportionate to the aims pursued by the restriction, for example, a police officer is justified in wielding a firearm against an individual deemed to be putting other lives in

Corporate social responsibility incorporates environmental, social, and economic dimensions that provide leadership and differentiation opportunities for perceptive organizations. However,

Corporate Social Responsibility (C.S.R.) is a theory practiced in the business sphere since fifty years. It refers to the duty of business organizations to adopt certain activities that will benefit the society in some way. Charity, health-awareness campaigns are few examples that a business undertakes to fulfil its objectives of C.S.R. According to this ideal, it is important for various corporations today to undertake such social activities, apart from merely focusing on their objective of profit maximization. But, is it an obligation that is most important than other objectives of business? This thought further leads us to another significant question – In contemporary settings, should corporations be guided by the concept of C.S.R.?

Shared value is a business strategy which focuses on creating overall value while addressing social problems. This concept of management strategy was expressed in the “Creating Shared Value” article by Porter and Kramer. Shared value is not just an aspect of a company’s growth strategy or general business operations. It is well integrated in the way a company operates along with what their goals are as an organization. The value created for a company’s targeted end user also has some sort of social impact which benefits their company purpose. Creating social impact is a company goal and success is measured through creating a shared value network. Porter believes that “The ability to address social issues is integral to profit maximization instead of treated as outside the profit model.” He is addressing that profits are not measured by impact not just monetary gains for the company, we can change our mindset to think of profit in a different way. Profit can be a benefit or some sort of added value. In this approach Porter argues that “Corporate social responsibility encompasses not only what companies do with their profits, but also how they make them.” This relationship is the driving force for a company’s development and future growth, and it goes beyond corporate strategy it also incorporates investments and key stakeholders for each company. Quantifying a monetary figure and amount for social impact may be extremely difficult, however it has progressed with awareness and

With the recent corporate scandals involving such companies as Enron and Martha Stewart, the concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has once again made its way to the forefront of contemporary management ideologies. However, CSR itself is not a new concept. In fact, societies as far back as the Ancient Mesopotamians (circa 1700 BC) incorporated CSR in their businesses. "King Hammurabi introduced a code in which builders, innkeepers or farmers were put to death if their negligence caused the deaths of others, or major inconvenience to local citizens." With each new "Enron" managers of similar corporations are suddenly placed in the spotlight, causing plans to be put into action to create a more socially responsible company.

Apple Company is one of the largest manufacturers of computers and electronics. “Apple Company was founded on April 1, 1976, by college dropouts Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak, who brought forth a new company vision of changing the way people, viewed computers” (Library of Congress, 2008). The ethical and social responsibility of Apple Company should have started with its inception; however, it did not. It was not until years later with the advent of social media and the power of worldwide communications, did Apple Company focus on ethical and social responsibilities regarding the treatment of its employees in their factories overseas. The international reports of employee maltreatment; the use of underage employees; and, documented instances of wrongful disposals of toxic matter into the environment, forced Apple to take immediate action and establish safeguards which would protect its employees, the environment and more importantly the brand name that is Apple Company.

Since its implementation in 1989 there has been some amendments done to it to make it more effective these include; involvement of enforcement authorities and have come up with new settlement tools, another change is that they have over time advocated for more permanent solutions and innovative technologies in combating hazardous waste, they have also put other states and federal environmental laws consideration into superfund actions, the act also as recently included an

Slave is a person who is the legal property of another and is forced to obey them; works very hard without proper remuneration or appreciation, or; is excessively dependent upon or controlled by something or someone (Oxford Dictionary, 2014). Slavery has existed for centuries from 2575 BC where it was legally protected. There are five different types of slaveries: forced, debt, sex, child and domestic slavery (National Underground Railroad Freedom Center). With different types of human protection acts and awareness to defend human welfare, slavery has become illegal in all the countries worldwide. Nevertheless, slavery still exists in this 21st century. Therefore, measures should be taken to increase the awareness of slavery in the modern generation especially ethical and corporate human social responsibilities among all parties involved in these illegitimate activities.

Bovee, C. L., Thill, J. V. (2013). Business in Action Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education,

Sexual orientation discrimination includes being treated differently or harassed because of your real or apparent sexual orientation -- whether gay, lesbian, bisexual, or heterosexual. This type of discrimination may be illegal in your workplace, depending on where you work. This is not a personal problem that should be handled among themselves. As an Equal Employment Opportunity company, the company should ensure that guidelines are given and followed to prevent this type of sexual harassment and discrimination. If the company permits the posting of these types of pictures then the problem will never be solved. Robinson should not have to argue with her peers because she feels she has

CSR is about how companies manage the business processes to produce an overall positive impact on society.

ITC Ltd has worked exremly hard to start several procedures that have led to compliance of the standards of social responsibility. ITC’s dealings within the tobacco industry have contributed to the increase in company revenues and the company has worked towards following the triple bottom line and giving back to society. Most, businesses pay little attention to their social responsibilities and make it part of their overall strategy, instead they concentrate more on financial benefits from the sales of products. Consequently, managing business in a socially responsive manner contributes to the best combination of business success and societal acceptance, trust and loyalty. Giving back to the community in ways that benefits only society such as planting trees to curb pollution and help the environment or using biodegradable materials in packaging can reap financial benefits to a company by building loyalty among the community. The notion of business ethics and corporate social responsibility is becoming a defining concept in all industries worldwide. ITC believes in the Triple Bottom Line philosophy where the performance and perception of a corporation should not be judged only on the basis of its financial statements or revenues, but its environmental and social performance as well. ITC is one of the only companies in the world to be carbon positive, water positive, and conduct solid waste recycling. ITC provides water to areas where water is very

Corporate Social Responsibility as taken precedence in the way in which business operates, and now the focus is to hold businesses ‘ accountable’, which is defined by (Keohane, 2006), as a implementation or rules and exercising of power, within a particular domain, cited in How FIFA can be held accountable? Example, of such is the issues surrounding the governance is within FIFA, and holding them accountable for the governance of football and the issues surrounding the international organization (Pieth, 2011) cited in, How FIFA can be held accountable?, these issues includes, acts of money laundering, fraud, corruption and bribery, (Alan Cameron, 2014, P.3), cited in The Case of FIFA, that these leaders should be held accountable for the decisions made, however (Keohane, 2006), stated that it is very difficult to enforce accountability, within a global context as it has particular challenges, especially when dealing with governmental and non-governmental organization across the globe with different domestic governance, which makes it complex in reaching a decision associated with the norms and standard associated with accountability, however with FIFA, stated (Keohane, 2006), that FIFA is a non-governmental organization, which means that government have no control over their practices, according to (Gideon Rachman, 2011) “FIFA cannot be held accountable”. (Grant and Keohane, 2005, p.35) cited in, How can FIFA be held accountable?, analyzed a comprehensive framework, in

Problems of Corporate Social Responsibility in Sugarcane Value Chain in Utter Pradesh: An Analysis through Integrated Model of CSR