Case Studies: Corporate Social Responsibility across world

Case Studies unified Social Responsibility across existenceIntroductionOver the past times decade, Malaysia has witnessed tremendous economic and fond qualifys. Hence, the disdain world is becoming more complex and demanding. corporeal amicable debt instrument has emerged as one of the major issues in the modern-day tradees. However, developing countries atomic number 18 slower in reacting to this issue as the studies in this ara ar still scarce. Even though at that place is just about increase in research and studies in embodied well-disposed office (Abu-Baker Naser, 2000 Belal, 2001 Imam, 2000 Tsang, 1998), the results of these studies atomic number 18 non satisfying cod to the scarcity of studies in the developing countries. Corporate affable responsibility (CSR) is becoming more Copernican for national and global businesses. Large green goddesss discovered and recognized the benefits of providing CSR programs in various locations, these multinational companies are suffice as global providers. Now, CSR activities are being performed around the world. Customers nowadays believe that modern businesses put one over the obligations to serve them disclose or in a more responsible manner instead of just focvictimization on maximizing cabbages for its organizations stakeholders or shareholders. However, only large unfluctuatings apply this concept compared to those sm in all or middle-sized enterprises due to the power which large firms have. We also refer CSR as integrated or business responsibility, incorporate or business citizenship or community relations.The surround that business organizations operate in is fillight-emitting diode with dynamism, complexity and uncertainty. Thus, managers essential take into consideration the evokes of stakeholders and public in performing their respective duties. According to Wartick and Cochran (1985), the concept corporate hearty responsibility (CSR) has a philosophical orientation. Jones (1996) described CSR as an ideology which has been enhanced and advanced during the past 50 years with the business and research. CSR refers to corporate work that is normatively correct with respect to all constituents of the firm (Epstein, 1987).How do we clarified the actions that certain firms took are related to corporate affectionate responsibility? According to Carroll (1991), tender expectations burn be translated into four different stages of corporate favorable responsibility, viz economic, legal, honest and philanthropy. The first stage is economic responsibility. This stage is where the public and fellowship expect corporate organizations to concede arrive at and at the same time producing goods and run that toy the customers involve. A firms prime social responsibility must be economic involving the outpution of goods and services at a reasonable profit. Second stage is legal responsibility. Businesses are expected to run within the legal boundaries in order to attain their goals. However, non all ethical behaviour are codified, businesses should act in the manner that serve the society while meeting economic objectives. Hence, this is categorized as ethical responsibility. Last but not least, the philanthropy responsibility. A corporate organization should actively involve in programs promoting human well-being and goodwill. One common discrimination between philanthropy and ethical responsibilities is that the former are not expected in moral sense. Community expect firms to contribute their resources to social activities. However, they do not hold those firms unethical if they do not practice these social activities. Hence, philanthropy is more to voluntary part of business in conducting social activities.According to Palazzi (2006), there are an increasing number of companies in Western Europe, Japan and North America discovered that by fully integrate the self-interest and needs of customers, employees, communities an d their beloved computer programmeet, they can make good business. Therefore, corporate social responsibility includes 6 elements where management of each organization should implement in order to enhance issue and profitability. CSR is about how to manage these 6 responsibilities customers, employees, business partners, environment, communities and investors (Palazzi et al., 2006). Providing goods and services in a fair legal injury so that the customers will get to enjoy the numbered value of the products provided by the firm and at the same time the firm will earn profits. By adopting CSR, a firms image is strong and well recognised it provides good welfare for its employees. Business partners such as suppliers, suppliers will only build long term relationship with firms that are well-respected and banked. Firm must never conduct some(prenominal) operations that will harm the environment such as toxic dispersion it will only bring damage to the environment and also the soc iety. Health, stableness and prosperity of the communities are the success factors of any businesses nowadays businesses must involve themselves in social activities such as charity or donations. Practicing CSR in passing(a) operations no doubt maximize profit in long-run which will benefit the investors.In contrast of co-founder of Hewlett Packard Company in 1939, Dave Packard, he thinks numerous great deal assume, wrongly, that a company exists simply to make money. While this is an important result of a companys existence, we have to go deeper and find the real reasons for our being. As we inquire this, we inevitably come to the conclusion that a group of people get together and exist as an institution that we call a company so that they are able to accomplish something collectively that they could not accomplish separately they make a contribution to society, a phrase which sounds trite but is fundamental. No doubt that people assume the purpose of a company is to generate p rofit, primary objective of a company is to continue its existence or to survive, followed by maintaining growth and development and then make a profit. Company is a structure of people where these people wish to achieve objectives that could not be achieved by the efforts of individuals on their own.CSR involves the responsibilities corporations have to the societies within which they are based and operate. CSR is about the organizations and businesses taking actions beyond their boundaries which will impact the environment and society even though doing so incur higher cost. Several concepts that are closely related to CSR social and environmental auditing, stakeholder theory, business ethics, environmental sustainability, strategic philanthropy and corporate governance.DefinitionThe issues of corporate social responsibility has been debated and argued since 1950s, latest analyses by Secchi (2007) and Lee (2008) distinguished that the definition has been changing in meaning and pr actice. In both corporate and academic world there is uncertainty as how to specify. According to Jackson and Hawker (2001), we have looked for a definition and basically there isnt one. However, this is not quite accurate because the honor is there is an abundance of definitions, which are, according to Van Marrewijk (2003), often biased toward specific interests and thus prevent the development and implementation of the concept. Five dimensions of CSR were identified by dint of a content analysis of the definitions these five dimensions are environmental dimension, social dimension, economic dimension, stakeholder dimension and voluntaries dimension.Jones (1980) delimitate CSR as the notion that corporations have an obligation to constituent groups in society other than stockholders and beyond that prescribed by law or union contract, indicating that a stake may go beyond mere ownership. Corporate social responsibility is defined as a principle stating that corporations sho uld be accountable for the beliefs of any of their actions on their community and environment by Frederick (1992). CSR is defined as the degree of moral obligation that may be ascribed to corporations beyond simple obedience to the laws of the state by Kilcullen and Kooistra (1999). According to Foran (2001), CSR can be defined as the set of practices and behaviours that firms adopt towards their labour force, towards the environment in which their operations are embedded, towards authority and towards civil society. CSR is also defined as the integration of social and environmental concerns in business operations, including dealings with stakeholders (Lea, 2002). According to Andersen (2003), he defined corporate social responsibility broadly to be about extending the immediate interest from oneself to include ones fellow citizens and the society one is living in and is a part of today, acting with respect for the future generation and nature.There are numerous available definiti ons of CSR and they are consistently linking to the five dimensions. From 1980s to 20th century, definitions of CSR must include the 5 dimensions, it is not a must to include all 5 but it is best to do so.Importance of CSRCSR has become increasingly important, now it is considered as a business strategy. Consumers prefer to purchase products or services from companies which they trust suppliers want to form business partnerships with companies they can rely on employees wish to work for companies they respect and being respected in return and NGOs want to work with companies seeking feasible solutions and initiations in areas of common interests. According to Carly Fiorina, prexy and CEO of Hewlett Packard Company, winning companies of this century will be those who prove their actions that they can earn profit and increase social value at the same time. Shareowners, customers, partners and employees are handout to vote with their feet in order to reward those companies that fue l social change through and through business. This has become the new reality of business, one that everyone should embrace and adopt. Arguments and debates about the importance of CSR, the main topic is why CSR became more important? Many factors and influences have led to increasing attention being devoted to the character of companies and CSR. These includeSustainable developmentPaul Hawken has defined sustainability as an economic state where the demands placed upon the environment by people and commerce can be met without reducing the capacity of the environment to provide for future generations. Leave the world a little reveal than you found it, take no more than you need, try not to harm life or the environment, make amends if you do. According to Hohnen (2007), United Nations studies showed that humankind is using natural resources at an excessive rate, a rate where the used resources failed to be replaced in time. If this scenario continues, future generations will not ha ve the resources they need for their development. According to Maurice Strong, Chairman of the Earth Council (1992), he said as we enter the next century, intentness will be the nearly important engine for change in the puzzle for sustainable solutions to the worlds environmental problems. These issues alerted the world and required immediate actions. Organizations must play their parts in aiding the environmental problems. Corporate social responsibility is one of the solutions and organizations are advised to practice and implement social responsibility in their daily operations.GlobalizationGlobalization is a complex process because it involves rapid social change that is occurring simultaneously across a number of dimensions in the world economy, in politics, in communications, in the physical environment and in culture and each other these transformations interact with the others (Tomlinson, 1999). Growing concerns on human resource management, environmental protection, he alth and safety due to the economic globalization, CSR can play a vital role in locating the impacts and effects that a business might have on labour, society and economy. CSR also provide certain steps that can attention the business to build and maintain the public welfare.GovernanceAccording to Hohnen (2007), governments and intergovernmental bodies such as the UN, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) have developed several guidelines and declarations which companies can follow and apply in their future business conduct. Example, government in Penang restricted food sellers from using polystyrene for food fisticuffs every Monday.FinanceConsumers and investors are more interested in supporting responsible business practices they are seeking more information on how organizations going to react accordingly after defining risks and opportunities which related to social issues. What actions can the organiza tion take so that it will best serve the society and meet the economic objectives? In the CSR context, a sound CSR approach can help build share and market value for an organization, lower the cost of capital and make better the responsiveness to markets (Hohnen, 2007)Protect the environmentSome of the worlds largest companies have showed their commitment to CSR by showing initiatives at reducing their environmental footprint. These companies believe that financial and environmental capital punishment can work together to drive company growth and social story. We green the earth slogan made by some multinational companies in Malaysia who own large golf courses within residential area is one of the CSR initiatives seems to protect the environment. According to Hohnen (2007), a CSR approach can improve corporate governance, transparency, obligation and ethical standards. Environment stewardship helps build and retain a companys value. In addition, undergraduates and postgraduates will expose to the importance of taking visual sense of the environment through studying corporate social responsibility.Potential Benefits of Corporate Social ResponsibilityBeing socially responsible is increasingly important for modern organizations. This is due to the public becoming more demanding towards firms in terms of being socially responsible. Einer Elhauge, a professor of law at the Harvard Law School, as part of his contribution on the Environmental trade protection and the Social Responsibility of Firms, quoted that Corporate managers have the operational discretion to sacrifice corporate profits in the interest of the public.Lower Operating CostCompanies must view this as an opportunity and see the benefit it can obtain from giving back to the communities and employees (McKee, 2005). Lower operating cost may be the most immediate and dependable benefit for a corporation connected to high ethical standards and social responsibility (Ashforth, 1989). On environmenta l issues, a company who is song to minimize its emission of greenhouse gasses will be looking at ways of minimizing fuel consumption. Initial investment in more energy economic vehicles and appliances may incurred very high cost, it will eventually lead to cost saving. If a company is using less energy, then its energy bills will be lower. If a company is minimizing water usage, then its water bills will be lower. The same is true for maximizing the use of recycled materials. Recycled materials are much lower priced compared to black materials.Employees Recruitment, Retention and ProductivityAccording to Ivy (2005), the other benefits of adopting corporate social responsibility practices include attracting the most talented and loyal workers. Their employees are more committed to their work because they are proud to be part of that organization. Employees value a corporation that is able to improve the life of the community. A Socially Responsible company considers a workers dig nity and offers good health care and retirement plan. Therefore, these employees are not keen to take lifts when opportunity is at hand. Bloemer (1992) found out that the corporation benefits from a stable workforce and reduced training costs. Evidence for this view are clearly stated in the Kelly survey in Crains Detroit Business report found that corporations that behave in socially and environmentally responsible manners attract the top talent and ninety percent of those interviewed would prefer to work for organizations are ethically and socially responsible.Brand Image and Customer LoyaltyMcKee (2005) suggested that the most significant business benefit of corporate social responsibility is the positive effect it can have on brand image and customer loyalty. If a company is known to be responsible and ethical, and if it markets itself as such, then it will be well positioned in a competitive market. Consumers, weary of the tales of ruthless corporations doing everything in thei r power to maximize profits, are becoming more and more interested in supporting companies who are socially responsible. Many firms which have such practices include Body Shop that uses all natural, non chemical substances to make their products. They emphasis on no animal testing and galore(postnominal) customers are proud to be using their products that support the humanity values that the company share.Differentiated ProductsAccording to Klein and Dawar (2004), differentiated product is one of the benefits that enable an organization in order to remain competitive in todays marketplace. Through product differentiation, organizations aim at achieving a competitive proceeds by increasing the perceived value of their products relative to the perceived value of the products of their competitors. Particularly, for organizations that implement socially responsible policies, product differentiation can satisfy the unmet needs of consumers offering both financial and business benefits to the firm. Firms that offer environmentally friendly products experience higher sales growth than firms that sell conventional products (Ramasamy Ting, 2004). Besides, firms that offer rummy value propositions to consumers differentiate their products in consumers minds and contribute to building customer loyalty based solely on ethical values. Therefore, in the context of corporate social responsibility, organizations develop new products aiming, not only to become more competitive, but also to make a greater impact on society through their ethical practices. A CSR Europe MORI study in 2000 showed that 70 percent of European consumers say that a companys commitment to corporate social responsibility is important when buying a product and one in five would be willing to pay more for products that are socially and environmentally responsible. On the other hand, one in six shoppers frequently boycott or buy products because of the manufacturers reputation.Improved Risk ManagementI mproved and proper management is one of the benefits gained when a corporation embarked in corporate social activities. Modern organizations implement risk management strategies to decrease or even eliminate the risk posed on the organization by a variety of practices associated to several potential threats (Porter Kramer, 2002). Organizations that have made countless efforts over the years to build a good reputation and have spent a lot of money to maintain it through product development and customer loyalty strategies. However it could be ruined is seconds (Tencati, Perrini, Pogutz, 2004). such(prenominal) incidents include scandals, environmental accidents, foreign labour transgressions and internal corruptions draw the attention of the media and may cause irreversible damage to a firms reputation. The only way to portend such events are to embed social responsibility into organizational culture that contributes to a stable reputation for a form and in order to bring out such risks. This could save cost and time in repairing and building firms reputation using the usual ways.Access to capitalFinancial institutions such as banks and tete-a-tete loan companies are increasingly incorporating social and environmental criteria into their assessment of projects. When making decisions about where to place their money, investors are looking for indicators of effective CSR management. Maignan, Tomas and Hult (1999) argued that a business plan incorporating a good CSR approach is often seen as a must for good management. When a company engage in corporate social activities shows that they care about their planet and it give a good impression towards to the investors. Hence both private and public investors are more willing to invest in such ventures because it will gain support from umpteen parties and corporate social responsibility based companies tend to last longer.Arguments underpinning CSRToday many persons are discussing the social responsibilities of bu siness there are various reasons both for and against businesss assumption of social responsibilities. People in the business world argue and debate about social responsibility, some supporting this concept and some do not see it that way.Arguments for corporate social responsibilityLong-run self interestLong-run self interest is one of the arguments which favour corporate social responsibility, this ideology makes the society expects the businesses to accomplish and conduct various social goods and actions. According to Davis (2001), a business must conduct social practices if it expects to achieve objectives and earn profits in long-run. The firm that responds fastest to the needs of the society hence will have a better community in for the firm to run its business. Recruiting employees will be easier, the employees hired are better in quality. Besides that, absenteeism and turnover will decrease. As the social of one society improved, crime rate will definitely go down and money can be saved up as the properties are well protected. The dispute can lead to several directions, for example a better society provides a better environment for business. It is hard to believe that incur higher cost for social activities will result in higher profit for the business. However, it is the normal outcome that business can perform better when it runs in a better environment. Recent surveys confirm that the correlation between social and financial performance is their positive or neutral (Margolis Walsh, 2003).Public ImageA firms main objective is to attain and retain more customers, desirable employees and various benefits through enhancing its public image. According to Davis (2001), it is easy to extend this public-image concept through the action of a variety of social goods. Public holds social goals as top priority, firms which has intention of achieving a benevolent public image must reinforce and rate these social goals. CSR has become a vital tool in promoting and improving the public image of some worlds largest corporations (Christian, 2004).Let Business TryMany institutions try and failed in manipulation social issues, why not give business a chance to do so. Many comments were made due to the failures of other institutions, people are turning to business. Comments like the followingGive business a try. Maybe they can come up with some new ideas.Let business have a role. They couldnt do any worseThese comments were made out of frustration and desperation instead of reasoning many people are expecting that business institution will fail in handling the social issues. The truth is that there is no evidence showing that we perform badly in handling and solving the social problems using businesss capabilities (Davis, 2001).Business Has the ResourcesBusiness is believed to have valuable resources which can be used in handling social problems hence society should put the resources into good use. Sadly, many people wrongly assumed that bus iness has all the money where the society need to do is to tap the till of business and the social problems will just fades away. In most cases, there is a reasoned assumption that business has a pool of management talent, functional expertise and capital resources (Davis et al., 2001). With this pool, business definitely has the requirements to solve social problems in the society. In addition, business is well known for its innovative ability. In some social problems, innovation is needed badly for application.Problems can be ProfitsWhile the creativity of business can contribute to social problems, it can also be an returns at times when apply conventional business theories to these social problems. Although this idea cannot be applied to all of the social problems, it is encouraged that business should involve in social areas more effectively. According to Davis (2001), many problems can be solved and settled profitably according to traditional business concepts.Prevention is better than solidificationIt is argued that business should resolve social problems once encountered. This supports the idea of saving resources and the managements time and also preventing the social problem from developing into a disastrous situation to the business. Furthermore, the promote of producing goods and services can be affected when business is busy dealing with serious social problems that have yet to be resolved.Argument against Social responsibilityProfit MaximizationThe most prevailing argument against business assumption of social responsibility is the classical that it challenges the traditional mindset of the companies is to condense on profit maximation (Friedman, 1971). According to the industrys point of view, the companys desire is to think in the best interest of the shareholder and satisfy them by maximizing profit and find all means to increase profit. One common practice in most industries to maximize profit is to minimize cost. Friedman (1971) mentio ned that in a free enterprising firm system, employees responsibility is do what their superiors command them to do as long they do what their are told, they would survive in the economy provided their actions are abiding to the laws and ethical usance of the society. The employees desire is accord with the shareholders interest that is to maximize profit. However imposing a new concept of corporate social responsibility, the company dilutes the aim of profit maximization and makes the shareholders unhappy. This is due to the managers spending their money on something that has no direct impact on their cash flow. Besides that, Friedman argued that the concept of corporate social responsibility may overthrow the old doctrine of the economy to maximize profit.Cost of Social InvolvementFriedman (1962) found out that imposing the culture of corporate social responsibility in a firm takes away a lot of the firms financial resources though the outcome may not be as rewarding as predicted . The company must make wise decision to allocate their resources in the right causes for it is scarce. Most companies commit small resource to corporate social activities due to social pressure and obligation. However, the public tend to forget the firms effort towards corporate social activities after a period of time. Therefore it is very tiring for a company to keep renewing their commitment towards social acts since the customers cannot remember the organizations contribution towards society even it was just last month ago. When the business is pushed into social obligations, many additional costs will drive out marginal firms in all the industries (Friedman et al., 1971). In the chemical industry, many chemical firms shut down because they are unable to meet the requirement of purchasing the new pollution equipment that is highly priced.Lack of Social SkillsTraditional companies do not have the skills to handle the social matters regarding the publics concern towards the compa nys effort in corporate social goals. As mentioned Friedman (1971), it is insane for a firm to give social related duty to technicians or accountants. They are unfit for the job because they are not trained to work in such way. The firm may need to hire sophisticated people which are public relation officers to create an image for the company and handle all the social matters. This may require the organization to create a new segment just to achieve these goals. Problems may arise since the firm needs to incur new costs to the company.Dilution of Businesss Primary PurposeFriedman (1962) suggested that a firms involvement in social goals might hinder businesss emphasis on economic productivity, divert the interest if its leaders, and weaken business in the market places, with the result of the firm achieving poorly in both economic and social aspects. The effect of social goals in corporations is confusing the societys perception in the economic role of the business. If a company is inadequate to achieve its social goals, the society would suffer socially and economically (Friedman et al., 1962).Weakened International Balance of PaymentArgument against business assumption social responsibility requires the international balance of payments thought it is frequently ignored. In normal practices, social programs are counted in business costs. In order to recover these costs, the business would usually add the cost into the price of the product. If social activities dilute businesss capacity for high productivity, then this lower efficiency is likely to lead to higher product cost (Friedman et al., 1962). A company would lose its competitive advantage in the international market if they comply with the social obligation. In the international market especially regarding raw material, the price is an essential criterion to consider. When a product is priced higher than its competitor due to social obligation, the clients will choose cheaper choices and outcome is th e company loses out a lot of customers.Lack of AccountabilityFrom economic point of view, entrepreneurs have no accountability towards the public. Friedman quoted that Accountability always go with responsibility. A firm which embarks into social activities must be responsible towards the people. Until the firm is ready to be establish a proper line of social accountability from business to public, the business is preferable just focus on maximizing profit and not engage in any social activities.Lack of Broad SupportOne final point is that social involvement may lack a broad range of support from all groups of the society. Although many people support the idea of corporate social responsibility, many parties opposes it (Henderson Hazel, 2001). Unlike China, there are a lot of countries that does not give full support to firms that has social goals. The lack of agreements is among the general public, in government, even among the businessmen themselves. Many reasons are mentioned in the above statements. Such hostile oppositions will create disastrous effects on the company if it fails its social mission.Case stockyBurgerville USA is a family owned fast-food restaurant, founded by George Propstra in Vancouver, Washington 1922. Burgerville applies this mentality made fresh from local ingredients, this concept still stand strong up till today. Burgerville had never used frozen patties, used only the freshest ingredients. Besides that, onions rings sold in Burgerville are made from onions grown in near Walla Walla.Burgerville has expanded up to 39 locations in the northwest United States, currently run by Propstras son in law, Tom Mears. The key element in the companys strategy remains unchanged which is the fresh, local concept. Company is using fresh, local products in order to offer higher quality food. This strategy moves Burgerville out from the fast-food industry into fast-casual dining sector, a niche in the restaurant industry. Mears decided that the co mpany will not play the chea