CSR
Introduction
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is where organizations are supposed to be good corporate people. CSR acts as a regulating model that enables companies to go beyond making a profit for shareholders or maintaining law requirements but instead goes further in helping social welfare and safeguarding the environment. It emphasizes on improving the wellbeing of all parties such as consumers, suppliers, employees, and societies in which businesses operate. Main CSR measures, in general include, protecting for the environment, using human working conditions, and adopting philanthropic endeavors. Some individuals believe that companies owe no responsibilities to society apart from earning as many profits as possible within the restrictions provided. People who believe in CSR support that corporates should engage in outside roles beyond merely making money. This paper researches the various organization that practice CSR, examples of practices that fall under CSR, and how successful organizations use CSR as a value.
Companies with high CSR
Google has a variety of stakeholders due to its wide range of products, such as Google Glass, Google Search, cable Television services, and other products. Google has been bringing new ways to keep its image as an innovative technology company by being concerned with the welfare of its stakeholders through improved CSR practices (Mclean, 2019). This has earned the firm a number stop on companies with the best CSR track record, according to Reputation Institute’s responsibility track’. Google’s stakeholders include users, employees, advertisers, investors, governments, and communities in order of importance based on the firm’s CSR efforts.
Differences in the CSR approach between Google and TOMS Shoes.
TOM does not have an advertising department, and the company does not use conventional advertising forms like print media and television but instead uses charity and social events to gain customers who are attracted by the charity events. This way, the company benefits from conversations generated by people, and eventually, TOMS gets media coverage creating a large group of a loyal fan base. Google, on the other hand, has a well-structured form of advertisement, including conventional means. Google has successively taken control of online ads using its search engine to advertise itself. TOMS is a for-profit organization that uses a business model to buy one get one; it’s a continuous activity as far as people are buying shoes the same number of needy people get shoes (Naeini et al., 2015). This means that it sells the same amount of products as it gives out to needy people, and this applies to all its products; the company believes that sales should match well done. Google, on its part, uses give directly by helping survivors of natural calamities or people with other basic needs. The big difference is that it is not a continuous process as disasters not occur all the time; in some instances, a large amount of money is given out at once but not regularly. Another difference is that TOMS operates as a privately owned company, and it does not have a corporate responsibility department, nor any worker specialized in the same. Google is a public traded company and operates under regulations directing public traded companies like announcing financial status every quarter.
Similarities
TOMS Shoes uses CSR models that incorporate helping people and, at the same time, making profits. The company made charity the center of its operations even if the cause itself helped to maximize its benefits and sales. Google uses a similar approach to market the firm, it has a wide range of stakeholders, and each one of them is accorded a different CSR performance. It has policies and programs that take care of the requirements of all stakeholder groups. Both TOMS shoes and Google rely on their CSR programs to win the hearts of consumers by wooing them with philanthropic deeds. Google’s philosophy is to concentrate on their customers and users; this way, the firm achieves profitability and become more accessible to investors, users, and customers. TOMS Shoes depends on word of mouth from its followers who are interested in its charity and social activities. Also, both companies have a wide range of stakeholders that contribute to their rapid success. Google has grouped its stakeholders in terms of users, workers, advertisers, investors, governments, and communities according to their value to the company. TOMS Shoes has stakeholders who buy its variety of products like shoes, eyewear, bags, and coffee, all who are equally important.
Corporate social responsibility actions.
There are practices that companies do that are in line with government regulations and contribute to the social wellbeing of people. These include philanthropy acts such as offering money, services or products to social reasons and nonprofits. Big organizations tend to have a lot of assets that can benefit humanitarian and local society programs (Byers & Stanberry, 2018). Second is environmental efforts by companies to reduce footprints that they generate, all of which benefit the society and the company. Third, are the ethical labor practices like treating workers ethically and fairly. Finally, some companies engage in volunteering events that are doing good to the society without expecting any form of profit, which is a way of demonstrating their concern for people’s needs (Hansen et al., 2016). Corporate social responsibilities are many, which include giving relief food to homeless and refugees, providing clean drinking water, giving out scholarships programs to needy students, and funding bills.
Most successful organizations have CSR in their programs, for instance, The Walt Disney Company, which is among the top entertainment companies globally. The firm is committed to healthy living, environment, and volunteerism through its CSR initiative. Volunteerism is one significant way Disney uses to give back to the community by encouraging people to partake in volunteer services in exchange for free tickets (Webers & Wasieleski, 2018). Microsoft is another company that applies CSR targeting comprehensive programs to empower people using technology and education, protecting human rights, and safeguard the environment. Microsoft’s CSR is designed to be forward-thinking interested in the world of tomorrow.
Conclusion
Organizations are no longer content in doing favors, but rather companies are making it a mission to help the society. Many companies have embraced CSR practices that align with their goals and social good. They have realized the need for CSR, which makes the world a better place and, at the same time, increasing their fan base and profits. Many people are willing to pay more for services or products provided by organizations that support positive environmental and social impacts. Consumers expect some form of responsibility from the companies they trust, and it’s up to these brands to make CSR a part of them.
References
Weber, J., & Wasieleski, D. M. (Eds.). (2018). Corporate social responsibility. Emerald Group Publishing.
Byars, S. M., & Stanberry, K. (2019). Business Ethics. OpenStax College, Rice University.
Naeini, A., Dutt, A., Angus, J., Mardirossian, S., & Bonfanti, S. (2015). A shoe for a shoe, and a smile. Business Today, 24(11), 90-95.
Hansen, S. D., Dunford, B. B., Alge, B. J., & Jackson, C. L. (2016). Corporate social responsibility, ethical leadership, and trust propensity: A multi-experience model of perceived ethical climate. Journal of Business Ethics, 137(4), 649-662.
McLean, S. R. (2019). Hey Google: The Business Case of Environmental Sustainability in Developing Corporate Social Responsibility. Dialogues: Undergraduate Research in Philosophy, History, and Politics, 1(1), 6.