CORPORATE Social Responsibility (CSR) has already evolved from just a fringe concept to an ultimate component of a business strategy. In the perspective of many, CSR is confined within the idea of giving back to the community through philanthropic efforts of companies, businesses an. We have been hearing companies reaching out to grass roots communities with their medical missions, feeding programs, coastal clean ups, etc. This is what many people know about CSR, thus neglecting the fact that CSR has already become a business approach to many organizations. Such approach shall ensure that a company is socially responsible and accountable to all of its stakeholders and the public.
Moreover, this approach shall involve going beyond profit-centered to positively impact the society, the environment and the economy. In the modern marketplace, CSR is both morally and legally imperative; the society expects them to be legal, ethical and environmentally aware so as the government.
Caroll’s CSR pyramid is a framework that helps us describe the responsibilities of companies and businesses to the society. Being socially responsible starts from economic responsibility—that is being profitable enough to carry out its other responsibilities (legal, ethical and philanthropic). Also, through having substantial profits, the company will be able to create employment opportunities and means to do philanthropic works.
Organizations are also expected to be ethically responsible which involves doing the right thing toward every stakeholder (i.e., choosing ethical suppliers, giving the right compensation and benefits to the employees, etc.). They should also be legally responsible by complying to the laws and regulations imposed by the government (i.e., paying the right taxes, etc.).
Lastly, businesses and companies should be a good corporate citizen through fulfilling its philanthropic responsibility which I laid out above as what most of us understand about CSR.
When a company does a CSR and gets publicized thru online videos or press releases, that’s when the skepticism comes in whether CSR is truly about creating a social impact and helping the underserved communities—or just a PR or publicity stunt or worse, a distraction from deeper corporate wrongdoings.
“Brainwashing” concept is widely used in the business setting and has already stemmed to several word plays like “greenwashing” (for instance, claiming that their product is environmentally-friendly without a proof) used as “corporate buffer” or cover ups to protect the image or reputation of the brand or company.
In the context of our discussion, “CSR-washing” could be the appropriate wordplay when these companies do charitable or philanthropic acts just to intensify their brands and cover something that will put it in bay. For example, an oil company will be having tree planting campaigns as part of its CSR program but aggressive in its fossil fuel operations. It is obvious that the said environmental initiative cannot compensate the harm to the environment that the company is inflicting.
Another case worth noting are the “sweatshops” issues of fast fashion manufacturing companies whereas they may gear towards recycling initiatives to “help the environment” but neglecting the welfare of its employees through some reports of exploitation and provision of unsafe working space. This presents an organizational dilemma on choosing between ethical and keeping a profitable business operations.
The problem isn’t CSR itself, since responsible corporate practices are still essential more . But when CSR is used to offset unethical behavior, it loses integrity and becomes manipulation.|
