Implementation Of Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives

The purpose of this essay is to research the notion of CSR and uncover its true framework and outline what social responsibility truly means to corporate organisations, and whether it should be seriously considered to be a legitimate addition to the corporate framework of an organisation.

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.

In this article, “The Truth About CSR,” authors Rangan, Chase and Karim stress the importance in aligning a company’s social and environmental activities with its business purpose and values (Rangan, Chase, & Karim, 2015, 41). Outcomes of CSR programs should be a “spillover” and not a primary focus of a business, expressing concern towards social responsibility and corporations failing to contribute to society accordingly (Rangan, Chase, Karim, 2015, 42). There is a great deal of importance in companies refocusing their CSR activities on a primary goal and in providing an organized process for bringing consistency and discipline to CSR strategies (42). Rangan, Chase and Karim want corporations to understand why it is important for them to evaluate their CSR activities and refocus them towards the goal of reinforcing the firm’s societal and environmental actions, while also ensuring their actions add to the overall purpose and values of the corporation. According to the authors, even though

The benefit to business of good Corporate Social Responsibility is difficult to quantify as it varies depending on the nature of the enterprise. Some scholars believe that there is a business justification for CSR. That is, what is good for the environment and society will be good for company profitability. And studies have shown a slightly positive correlation between CSR and financial gain (Steiner and Steiner, 2006). However, as Freidmanism claims, the first responsibility of business is to make enough profit to cover the costs for the future. If this social responsibility is not met, no other responsibilities can be (Hargreaves, 2006). Therefore it is critical that CSR activities are included in strategy formulation and that the level of resources devoted to CSR is determined like any other strategy – through cost/benefit analysis. Corporations will not throw money away…they need to see it

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.

In recent decades, Corporate Social Responsibility provides a range of factors used for measuring a firm’s contribution to social evolution. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is defined as the business commitment contributing to a sustainable economic development through activities to improve quality of life for workers and the whole community that are both beneficial for business industry and social development (Maren, 2014). Historically, the concept of CSR was first introduced by Howard Bowen in 1950s (Bowen, 1953); later CSR model was successfully applied to several large scale companies such as Nike, Coca – Cola, Prudential Insurance in 1990s (Carroll, 1991). CSR can enhance a company’s reputation and help increase profit in short term and build up organizational culture for a long term (Prutina, 2016). This paper will briefly introduce the four types of CSR and

Various authors have different definitions of what Corporate Social Responsibility. According to Lorde Holmes and Richard Watts, 1998 in their publication ‘Making Good Business Sense,’ they define CSR as “the continuing commitment by businesses to behave ethically and contribute to

Realizing added value from CSR is best achieved by fitting actions with motivations to concern both internal and external stakeholders. Ronald Hill and Karen Becker-Olsen find that CSR projects deliver benefits to firms if there is a similarity between the corporate mission and the social initiative, perceived motivations aimed at the good, and proactive timing (Hill & Becker-Olsen, 2005).

Making the most of CSR activities will benefit the companies to enhance the brand image, increase the sales amount and impress their employees. Although there are numerous competitors in the market, a steadfast commitment will lead the company to stand out; thus, over time, the performance will add up to a powerful and winning business.

Moreover, David Henderson’s book “Misguided Virtue” (2001) pointed out that companies have to adjust their accounting and management approach to adopt CSR raising costs and reducing revenues. In spite of that, the benefits will be able to outweigh the short-term costs in the long run (Millon, 2011).

It evaluates value creation in terms of environmental, social and economic performance. Hence, businesses have to succeed economically, as well as stressing concern for social justice and environmental quality. However, an issue with defining CSR is not only concerned with its miscellaneous attributes but also its heterogeneous body of research. Most research conducted is concerned with CSR from a perspective of theoretical articles and quantitative research. Defining CSR and quantifying its value through the use of statistics can be an ambiguous task, which thus; presents the opportunity to greater understand CSR through a qualitative approach.

Implementation of corporate social responsibility initiatives provides various benefits to organizations. These benefits outweigh the costs of such initiatives. Discuss

In a nutshell, with the pros and cons of corporate social responsibilities, it is imperative and beneficial for organisations to engage and embrace corporate social responsibilities (CSR). Organisations that are socially responsible have better competitive advantages. Organisations involved with corporate social responsibilities are overall winners. CSR not only makes an

Today a big part of customer satisfaction is depending on values which company stands for; and businesses are changing in to values-based business. In a values- based business, values which are co created among CSR, drive the sustain competition for the company in the market. (Enquist et al. 2008) (Edvardson & Enquist 2008) for a company wanting to get financial profits through values, a new strategy should be applied to enjoy the benefits of CSR value making. and CSR would be a part of the business model being integrated with the business strategy. Corporate responsibility is better understood as one dimension of corporate strategy (Enqusit et al. 2008) with this approach CSR is not only charity rather a part of the business model for a values-based business. But even “philanthropy is still a competitive advantage when it is in a proactive way”. (Edvardson & Enquist 2008) companies these days embed their CSR experiences and reports as a highlighted means for advertisement and creating a good image of themselves in public even though sometimes image making of CSR is being missused and companies reputations are not always on the basis of true CRM practices.

However, today not only is CSR thought of as a business’s self-preservation for future survival, but also one’s duty to be socially responsible to the earth and people. As defined by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, "Corporate Social Responsibility is the continuing commitment by business to contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as of the community and society at large" (1990). Although CSR is not a mandatory policy among business, many managers are adopting practices to increase profits though reputation, brand, identity and status (Ilona and Ruta 2012). Unfortunately, CSR is not widely implemented within business approach, and the demise is communications of these polies internally and externally is low, thus resulting in less effective outcomes. If management could find a way to integrate CSR into a structured strategy with polices, and concise direction and guidance, CSR aspects could be pursued and achieved on a day-to-day basis. Many workers feel confused that no such strategies exist