¶ … Corporate Social Responsibility Programs
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs are effective forms of management that directly and indirectly impact the "social, environmental and economic environment in which" the corporation functions (Castka, Bamber, Sharp, 2005, p. vii). In this context, corporations are viewed by societies as influential in the development of a "better world" (Friedman, Miles, 2002, p. 1). By using an ethical foundation for a business model, corporations have gained substantial market share and public trust because they are viewed as being good for the environment and for communities (as well as delivering a good product) while other companies have come under fire and social pressure for not living up to an ethical standard (Pearce, Doh, 2005). The factors that affect the implementation of CSR programs can range from governmental standards to stakeholder involvement to moral and ethical cultures (or lack thereof) within the corporate entity (AnyangoOoko, 2014). This paper will discuss these various factors and show how some act as facilitators towards implementation of CSR while others act as barriers.
Adopting a "spirit of mission" (Samaan, Verneuil, 2009) can be one of the best facilitators towards implementation of CSR. A spirit of mission within an organization creates an atmosphere of collective consciousness in which everyone at every level is a willing participant in the company's movement towards an ethical goal and objective. The company's aim, whether to provide a service or produce a product, is deemed beneficial to society, and the achievement of this aim is effected by way of ethical means, such as a virtue system or culture within the corporation/organization. This means providing guidance (corporate guidance for stakeholders) in terms of the value and importance of organizational culture maintenance and quality management. From a top-down perspective, this includes two-way communication flows and a theoretical model such as transactional management in order to facilitate internal growth in virtue behavior and external growth in community outreach and the maintaining of community/governmental standards (in terms of accounting, environmental waste, etc.).
Organizational discipline and "spirit of mission" are intimately linked in an organization's successful operation (Samaan, Vernueil, 2009) and greatly impact the implementation of CSR programs. The spirit of mission is collective in the sense that it is the motivating factor, the common interest, among individuals within an organization, driving them to achieve a specific aim or common good. Each individual adds to or takes away from the total spirit of mission. An apt metaphor may be found in the idea that each individual is a cylinder in an engine. If all cylinders are firing, working together and according to the precepts to which they are bound, the spirit of mission can be said to be operating optimally. The metaphor may be expanded in the sense that other factors contribute to the successful operation of an engine. However, for the purpose of this study, the essential "spirit" is such that it represents a guiding force or intelligence, without which no operation can succeed. When a discernible spirit is manifested, the surrounding community and consumer public are more likely to take note and show their appreciation, as the manifestation of a "spirit" demonstrates corporate social responsibility.
In organizations where the "spirit" is perceived to be reckless, say in a company like Enron, for instance, no CSR is demonstrated. As in the case of Enron, there was considerable irresponsibility in the keeping of financial records and oversight as the "spirit" of mission within the corporation was to get-rich-quick its way to the top. Some perceived this as a good, while others like Sherron Watkins did not. Conflict within an organization inevitably arises when the mission is perceived differently by two or more groups within the organization. One may accuse the other of lacking the right spirit. Aims may differ as a result and the corporation loses both cohesion and any grasp of CSR in the eyes of the public.
The idea of spirit of mission is, of course, thousands of years old. Sun Tzu (2010, p. 37) wrote, "He will win whose army is animated with the same spirit throughout all its rank." This idea is still commonly held today although generically and generally used in simplistic expressions, as in: team spirit, esprit de corps, community of interests, group spirit, etc. Regardless of the exact term, the idea is consistent in the sense of an entity (organization) rooted in achieving the common good, which is a notion that goes beyond the borders...
Corporate social responsibility and business ethics have become the focus of an increasing amount of attention from the business sector and academicians following the scandal-ridden era of Enron and others during the 1990s. Although the findings from the research to date are mixed, there is a growing body of research in this area that has lent support to the notion that ethical business practices and corporate social responsibility initiatives have
CSR Companies talk a lot about "corporate social responsibility," but quite frankly nobody really knows what the term means. Every company seems to interpret the idea a little bit differently. There is nothing inherently wrong with that, but it raises challenges for managers trying to understand the concept and what relevance it has to their organizations. The best approach has to be to analyze the different elements of CSR individually, and
This kind of competition can prove to be more effective than governmental regulations since firms are reluctant to follow government mandates. Methodology: Secondary research has been used as the main tool. Important journal articles, case studies and analyses have been included to understand the concept of CSR and its use in gain competitive advantage. ANALYSIS and DISCUSSION Social responsibility is closely connected with concern for financial growth. According to this belief, firms seek
CSR Motivations CSR Motivations behind Corporate Social Responsibility Organizations embark on social and environmental reporting for a variety of different reasons and not to simply improve credibility with stakeholders; although that is a primary reason in many organizations. However, other organizations have different objectives altogether that can include a range of different motivations. Some models have broken the range of motivations into signaling or greenwashing or used legitimacy theory to explain the motivations
In an era of terrorism and turbulence in global markets the greater the level of shared risk and transparency, the greater the likelihood financial institutions will be more resilient in the face of greater challenges of operation. This is a critical point that must be kept in mind in the context of the IFI CSR Maturity Model, as globalization forces a higher level of inter-process and cross-functional coordination throughout a
Essay Topic Examples 1. The Intersection of Profit and Social Responsibility: Crafting a Balanced CSR Plan: This topic explores how businesses can design a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) plan that aligns with their profit goals while effectively contributing to social issues. The essay would delve into strategies for integrating ethical practices into the business model without compromising financial performance. 2. Measuring the Impact of CSR Initiatives on Community Development: Focusing on the
Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.
Get Started Now