Corporate Social Responsibility boils down to ethical values of individuals concerned at all levels. Values which will make it impossible to “turn a blind eye” to many ills affecting earthlings which include animals too!
Having worked in both the corporate world and charity sector for many years, I believe that most corporations exhibit more social responsibility than do most so-called charities. Many charities would not exist without the indirect support of major corporations. For-profit entities are much better stewards of their money than charities. It’s not even close.
The final paragraphs really hit home the point: Often when we are required to take action, numerous benefits unfold. Here:
1- Companies are required to give, or standards imply they should give, which increases results.
2- As more companies join the giving, and volunteering, other companies feel the need to join the group to simply keep status with their peers.
3- As companies do give and volunteer in a regular pattern, they are often ‘converted.’ It feels good. It feels right. And so they do more of it. The company leaders, and/or the employees, do ‘the good’ on a more regular basis. Wonderful! And, it becomes habit.
4- A natural output is that communities are more respectful of companies; employees are retained longer term; new recruits are attracted.
We most certainly see this with our company clients at UniversalGiving (http://www.universalgiving.org) as we help them expand their Community Relations Programs/Foundations, all over the world.
I wish to contest that leadership in corporate governance will come from the US in the future. Review the South African King Code II for Corporate Governance. All listed companies and the JSE must comply with the code. It is a comprehensive and inclusive approach to corporate governance and perfect for a 21st century business.
COMMENTS
BY wahwahnyc
ON January 4, 2008 07:10 PM
Excellent review - interesting to compare with a radically different perspective on CSR in this month’s New Internationalist.
BY Susan Sharma
ON January 17, 2008 07:35 PM
Corporate Social Responsibility boils down to ethical values of individuals concerned at all levels. Values which will make it impossible to “turn a blind eye” to many ills affecting earthlings which include animals too!
BY Michael Schaefer
ON January 17, 2008 09:34 PM
Having worked in both the corporate world and charity sector for many years, I believe that most corporations exhibit more social responsibility than do most so-called charities. Many charities would not exist without the indirect support of major corporations. For-profit entities are much better stewards of their money than charities. It’s not even close.
BY Pamela Hawley
ON January 18, 2008 05:52 PM
The final paragraphs really hit home the point: Often when we are required to take action, numerous benefits unfold. Here:
1- Companies are required to give, or standards imply they should give, which increases results.
2- As more companies join the giving, and volunteering, other companies feel the need to join the group to simply keep status with their peers.
3- As companies do give and volunteer in a regular pattern, they are often ‘converted.’ It feels good. It feels right. And so they do more of it. The company leaders, and/or the employees, do ‘the good’ on a more regular basis. Wonderful! And, it becomes habit.
4- A natural output is that communities are more respectful of companies; employees are retained longer term; new recruits are attracted.
We most certainly see this with our company clients at UniversalGiving (http://www.universalgiving.org) as we help them expand their Community Relations Programs/Foundations, all over the world.
Wonderful to see articles such as these.
Pamela
Founder/CEO UniversalGiving
BY Rene Carapinha
ON April 13, 2008 04:18 PM
I wish to contest that leadership in corporate governance will come from the US in the future. Review the South African King Code II for Corporate Governance. All listed companies and the JSE must comply with the code. It is a comprehensive and inclusive approach to corporate governance and perfect for a 21st century business.