Corporate Social Responsibility: Target Meals For Minds

As stated earlier, Macy's business model, though aims at sustainability and growth, but it is too much centred on corporate social responsibility. Corporate social responsibility in the contemporary corporate world is seen as an immensely important part of business strategy. It involves organizations taking responsibility of 'giving something to the society' in return of what they earn from them (Fleisher, 2008). Many organizations today use corporate social responsibility as a potential marketing tool, also referred to as cause related marketing. Although highly important, and also pursued by the competing firms, extreme dependence and centred focus on

One key to a successful business is to advance and respond to the issues that underlie in its social responsibility to the community. Of the companies, Target shows more of a social responsibility to the community. Target has included itself and various programs such as raising money for Education, volunteering and offering a diverse work place for the community. As Target states on their website, “As a good corporate citizen, Target works to strengthen families and communities wherever we do business.”

Whole Foods has the Philanthropic Responsibility on Carroll’s global social responsibility pyramid, mainly for their involvement in educating employees, and customers on the importance of lifestyle changes in eating more organic, healthy foods. Moreover, Whole Foods involvement in volunteer work through the communities they serve; however,

Bronn, P.S., Vironi, A.B. (2001). Corporate social responsibility and cause related marketing: an overview. International Journal of Advertising, 2. Retrieved February 27, 2010, from http://www.basisboekmvo.nl/files/cause-related.pdf

In business, Anne Lawrence and James Weber (2014) identify enlightened self-interest as a corporation’s recognition that using corporate resource to serve others, including customers, employees, and the community as a whole, is in the best interest of the company. This social responsibility enhances the company’s image within the community, which increases both customer loyalty and satisfaction of employees. Some of the ways that businesses serve others is through philanthropy and backing environmental sustainability. Within his lecture on ethics and corporate responsibility, Dr. Kahlib Fischer (n.d.) encourages the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in that it provides mutual benefit to both the organization and the community.

Tyson foods is a very large food company based out of Springdale Arkansas primarily known for its’ meat products. Donnie Smith the CEO of Tyson foods knows that those who dislike meat production and even meat-eating may never really like his company. Other consumers may wonder if Tyson Foods is just another profit-centered corporation that only cares about the bottom line. Modern companies need to be considered credible by their stakeholders. How can a company like Tyson foods demonstrate corporate social responsibility in a meaningful way that is not shallow, devoid of real significance? Tyson Foods decided to focus on ending childhood hunger.

Discuss the four components of corporate social responsibility and how they relate to a charitable campaign such as (Product) RED. How does participation in a cause-marketing event contribute to a company's social responsibility? What role does sustainability play?

Target has a corporate social responsibility plan to show the legacy of giving and service. Rothaermel (2014) explains that Target embraces social programs, such as, promoting minorities and minority women into the supply chain. Target is fostering equality in society; this begins by creating a diverse workforce. Target is engaging the community to strengthen relationships and teach ethical treatment to others (Target, 2016). Rothaermel (2014) discusses corporate citizenship, where an organization philanthropic responsibilities are evident thorough ethical practices and giving back to society. Target encourages their employees to volunteer in local community programs. Target is interested in the community stakeholders and is committed to supporting communities by giving five percent of its profits, which has added up to more than $4 million each week (Target, 2016).

Target has been giving to the community since 1946. They are growing a brighter future for their team members and the community. Targets community impact states that “Every time we build a new store, we bring our legacy of giving and service to the community around it through the local programs and partnerships we support.” I believe they have a lot of impact on the community and can show that they are a great company to be a part of. Target gives out education grants, and public safety grants, has a team member volunteer program, food donations, local support for United Way, etc.

can be taught by Target leaders, who are expected to volunteer their time and efforts. This is a natural match of want and need between Target and of MPS.

The Target Corporation has risen in recent years to become a model of socially consciousness in the retail arena. It is truly a community-oriented organization. Since 1946, the company has followed a formal policy of giving 5% of all profits to local community organizations, charities and philanthropic causes (Target Annual Report, 2011). This amounts to nearly $4 million in weekly community support, complemented by several hundreds of thousands of hours of volunteer time by staff and team members.

CSR is the concept that businesses should balance profit-making with activities that benefit society, as Bruce Dayton believed “businesses should act in the best interest of society” (Target, 2015). Accordingly, Target’s commitment is to design tomorrow’s Target through our value chain, building community and creating a great workplace. As such, its 5 core beliefs: innovation, leadership, growth, inclusivity, and community influence its ongoing commitment to CSR. Furthermore, they achieve this by concentrating on:

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.)).

Carroll (1991) organized different corporate social responsibilities as a four-layered pyramid model and called it the pyramid of responsibilities. The four different responsibilities - economical, legal, ethical and philanthropic are the layers of the pyramid. Corporate social responsibility involves the conduct of a business so that it is economically profitable, law abiding, ethical and socially supportive. To be socially responsible then means that profitability and obedience to the law are foremost conditions when discussing the firm’s ethics and the extent to which it supports the society in which it exists with contributions of money, time and talent”. And the different layers in the pyramid help managers

This assignment will initially describe social marketing and then indicate how corporations affect stakeholders through companies’ social marketing and responsibility. Following that, the importance and functions of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and social marketing will be demonstrated. Finally, it will explain how organizations reflect CSR and make a short conclusion to indicate the relationship between social marketing and CSR.