I. INTRODUCTION
The concept of social responsibility likely has its roots in the Puritans and Quakers teachings of the 16th and 17th centuries. Puritans characterized humanity negatively, believing humankind to be hopelessly sinful. Quakers held a positive view, believing that of there is God (good) inside everyone. According to Heald [1970], corporate managements began to demonstrate social responsibility by considering community welfare as a whole in their goals to maximize profits and shareholders value. Shareholder response to social responsibility became more prominent during the 1980s. Broyles [1998] highlighted the role of shareholder activism, which was responsible for ending U.S. corporations’ involvement in South Africa during Apartheid. As a result, many management teams incorporated corporate social responsibility (CSR) into their management philosophy. At the time, CSR’s benefit to shareholders was debated widely. Those against CSR, used agency theory and the statement by Friedman [1970] which argues that the only social responsibility of business is to increase its profits, known commonly as the shareholder model of business. For investors, CSR can be viewed either through a Puritan or a Quaker lens. They can invest in firms that promote social responsibility (a Quaker approach) or divest in firms that are socially irresponsible (a Puritanical approach). Initially, religious organizations began to shun investing in corporations whose businesses involved
Company Q is a small local grocery store chain who has made poor decisions when it comes to social responsibility. Company Q’s business is suffering because the owners’ do not know the heart of running a business, Social responsibility. When opening a business it is not all about the money. Sure it is nice to think about growth and reaping the benefits of a bigger bank account, but the first thing that is important in business is the consumers. Who is buying what you are selling? What will make consumers buy more, comeback, or tell friends? Businesses flourish around consumers. So if it is money you are after, then consumers are who you need and want. So in business in order for Company Q to get what they want and need, they will need to give the consumer what they want and need, social responsibility. Give back, it has always been said “It is better to give than to receive.” After careful review of Company Q's business actions, this company lacks social responsibility in many areas.
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.?
On the other hand companies are pressured from governments ,competitors, and employees to address the environmental, social, and issues such as climate change, obesity and human rights (Bonini, Timothy & Mirvis, 2009).
Company X is a plastic injection molding manufacturer located in Highland, Michigan. The company had started in 2005 and survived the hard economic times. Company X started out by first doing applique and added 6 months ago injection molding. There are two owners, and there are less than 75 employees. Every company small or large should take social responsibility.
In 2013, the American Insurance Company AIG, American International Group was ranked the worst company in corporate social responsibility for the fifth consecutive year (Orwell, 2014). Known for its exorbitant executive salaries, “golden parachutes”, and lavish management perks during the infamous financial bailouts of 2009, AIG still struggles to regain consumer confidence (Orwell, 2014). Multiple corporations grapple with how to meet the ethical standards of corporate social responsibility in today’s global economy. Becoming a triple bottom line company would help a business meet its ethical obligations and demonstrate its sustainability progress to stakeholders. Employing utilitarian theory of ethics to exam triple bottom
Corporate Social Reasonability is a commitment by a corporation to develop socially responsible policies in the areas of work and family life, community welfare, ecology and human rights. Business today has recognized that in order to be successful they must earn the respect and confidence of their customers.
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.
Corporate Social Responsibility is essentially the idea that corporations should and have the responsibility to act outside of their own interest of profits and interest of shareholders. That a majority of the responsibility to fix economic, environmental, and social issues somehow weighs more heavily on corporations shoulders than our own. I am not in favor of this notion for several reasons to which I will argue. The definition and idea of CSR sets up more unanswered flaws and questions than it supposedly answers. It becomes a masquerade that highly profitable businesses can hide behind to gain customer loyalty and favor in the eyes of society,
CONCEPTS applied by the organization CAT (based on 3 units-communication skills, ethics and behaviour, goal settings)
Bovee, C. L., Thill, J. V. (2013). Business in Action Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education,
Sustainability and corporate social responsibility indicate the desire of an organization as a responsible citizen to give back to the society through initiatives that seek to better the lives of the people and generally, leaving the world a better place to live. As a global leader in the coffee restaurant business, the size of Starbucks and its activities mean that it wields a lot of power in its areas of operation and its activities can affect societies directly and indirectly. The company’s mission, vision, and objectives guides the company’s quest for sustainability and supports the corporate social responsibility activities and programs that Starbucks undertakes.
Washington Metropolitan region consists of some of the wealthiest and most educated people in the country. And yet thousands of people are homeless in the community. The proposed corporate social responsibility (CSR) program aims to reduce the homeless population in the region by implementing a financial education program in homeless shelters.
This course encouraged us to explored and developed a higher thinking and reasoning behind business morals and
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