Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is an increasingly important issue for all businesses around the world. CSR covers economic, legal, ethical, and philanthropic responsibilities of firms. Explain the factors that may motivate an MNE to adopt CSR in its international business strategy and operations. How might the country context influence the types of CSR initiatives undertaken? Support your answer with real world examples or cases.
While corporate social responsibility (CSR) has existed for a long time, it has garnered attention only in the last two decades as an important aspect of doing business. Academic research on CSR has evolved over the years, indicating a change in how CSR is viewed as time goes by. In the earlier years of
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It could be in less obvious means, such as a clothing company not ultilising sweat shops or child labour in producing its goods. When consumers buy products that bear such attributes, they believe they are “indirectly supporting a cause and rewarding firms that devote resources to CSR” (McWilliams and Siegel 2001, p. 119). Consumers are able to identify better with a company that engages in CSR activities and feel a stronger connection or attachment to such firms.
Consumer oriented CSR also involve intangible attributes, such as reputation. Having a strong reputation has been linked to attracting more customers, retaining and motivating employees, gaining favour with analysts and the media amongst many more reasons (Bhattacharya and Sen 2004). CSR has come to matter in building a reputation for corporations. The Reputation Institute ranks the world’s most reputable companies based on the RepTrak® system. RepTrak® analyses seven dimensions of corporate reputation: Citizenship, Innovation, Governance, Workplace, Leadership, Products/Services and Financial Performance (Reputation Institute 2013). Of which, three of these dimensions (citizenship, governance and workplace) fall into the CSR category, and analysis has shown that “42% of how people feel about a firm is based on their perceptions of the a firm’s CSR practices” (Smith 2012, para. 6). The Body Shop, Patagonia and Ben & Jerry’s
Several researches have explored the connection between CSR and purchase intention. Creyer and Ross (1997) found that the ethical behaviour of companies in considered by consumers during purchase decision. Mohr et al. (2001) also supported this assumption and suggested that there is a ‘substantial market segment’ paying attention to companies’ CSR practices. A research developed by Prabu et al. (2005) obtained similar findings and added that Social Responsibility has as well a positive effect on corporate identity.
Research into the topic of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), has shown that there is no single universally accepted definition. CSR has many
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.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is defined by Carroll as being split into four possibilities,”it is economically profitable, law abiding, ethical and Philanthropic” (Visser. W, 2005). Economic responsibilities is defined as being for profit purposes, managers focus is purely on the outcome of the business and the shareholders, there is
Today, in this complex business environment where all business enterprises are surviving by realizing maximum profits possible, there exists a mechnism called Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) that is providing the required edge towards success. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is the way a corporation achieves a balance among its economic, social, and environmental responsibilities in its operations so as to address shareholder and other stakeholder expectations. This is because it is
One of the leading companies that adopted CSR as a pioneer of ethic is The Body Shop. The company has used CSR as a competitive strategy in order to succeed in business. The shop owner knows what she does best. So, products are developed based on a specific group of customers in order to create a strong brand preferences and unique way with a perception of enormous customer groups, called sustainability ideals. The source of The Body Shop success is to utilize the benefits of CSR by selling products based on natural ingredients, paying a fair price and no testing on animal. According to porter (1985), he claimed that sustainability of differentiation depends on two things: "it is continued perceived value to buyers and the lack of competitor ability to imitate it" (Porter 1985 cited in Mallin 2009, p.71). It requires a transparency of work process with stakeholders. From this example, it explains why CSR is important to modern businesses like The Body Shop (Mallin 2009, pp.59-78),(Kwapong 2005, p.89).
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.
Eisingerich, AB & Bhardwai G, (2011) 'Corporate Social Responsibility: Does Social Responsibility Help Protect a Company’s Reputation? MIT Sloan Management Review, vol. 52(no. 1), pp. 18-28. [Accessed 23 July 2015]
Mohr, L. A., Webb, D. J., & Harris, K. E. (2001). Do Consumers Expect Companies to be Socially Responsible? The Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Buying Behavior. Journal Of Consumer Affairs, 35(1), 45.
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.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and its extent has always been a practice usually dictated by the owner or the major stakeholders but in today’s world of infinite connectivity and social media, reputation can make or break a corporation.
Organizations realize that it is important to attract highly skilled and qualified employees, because these employees are a necessary component of the competitive advantage that organizations want to achieve (Greening & Turban, 2000). Corporate Social Responsible actions of an organization can be a manner to attract highly skilled and qualified employees, because prior research assumes that organization’s CSR activities comprise a legitimate and compelling way to attract them (Bhattacharya et al., 2008).
There is a multitude of definitions of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). According to Business for Social Responsibility, ‘CSR is defined as achieving commercial success in ways that honor values and respect people, communities and the natural environment.’ Alternatively, CSR has been described as ‘an action by a firm, which the firm chooses to take, that substantially affects an identifiable social stakeholder’s welfare.’ Osie-Kwame, S (July
When looking at a company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the tie in to consumer confidence, the apparel industry illustrates both the best and the worst cases. Today’s consumers are more aware of how multinational corporations are incorporating or failing to incorporate CSR practices throughout the product lifecycle. This awareness has pushed companies in the apparel industry like Nike and Gap to evaluate current practices and incorporate socially responsible and environmentally responsible policies throughout their supply chain.
The purpose of this report is to highlight the implementation of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the company .CSR is the continuing commitment by business to contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the worker force and their families as well as of the community and society at the large .According to Nielsen’s Global Survey on corporate social responsibility(2014),shows that 55% of global online customers in 60 countries said that they can spend