Abstract The paper discusses corporatesocialresponsibility and 19 organizational theory articles in a 25 page paper synthesizing theory with practice. The paper argues that many companies now recognize that they have responsibilities not only to their shareholders, but also to other interested communities.
From the Paper "Traditionally managers are responsible to a company's board of directors and the board of directors is responsible to the shareholders. This has resulted in a bias among managers toward returning value to shareholders to the exclusion or at least detriment of others who have an interest in a company's performance."
Tags:corporatesocialresponsibility, organizational theory
An assessment of the competing claims of the stockholder stakeholder approaches to corporatesocialresponsibility, and a look at similarities and differences of each type of approach to responsibility.
2,515 words (approx. 10.1 pages), 10 sources, 2001, $ 76.95
Abstract This essay will discuss the competing claims of both the stockholder and the stakeholder approaches to corporatesocialresponsibility. An explanation for corporatesocialresponsibility will be provided and arguments will be put forward for similarities and differences in the stockholder and stakeholder approaches to this movement. Evidence to support these arguments will be provided throughout the essay.
From the paper:
"Before discussing the competing claims, it must be understood what is meant by the term corporatesocialresponsibility. Corporatesocialresponsibility is just one aspect of business ethics and has become increasingly important for companies operating in the global economy. It is a fast developing and increasingly competitive field. There is no single, commonly accepted definition of corporatesocialresponsibility but it generally refers to the idea that businesses are accountable for the effects of their actions on the community and should seek socially and economically beneficial results. It involves operating a business in a way that meets ethical and legal standards as well as meeting public expectation. Decisions taken by managers need to satisfy the needs of the community and companies must be accountable for the way in which their results are achieved."
Abstract This paper examines how socialresponsibility is an important concern of corporations and community alike. In particular, it discusses the important tool of corporatesocialresponsibility (CSR) and how firms use it. The paper looks at how it is usually used for financial gains or for enhancing a company's image and how some firms might engage in it for purely philanthropic reasons. The paper recommends uses for corporate soical responsibility and discusses how it can be tied with better financial health.
Outline:
Introduction
Theory and Assumptions
How SocialResponsibility Affects Business
Recommendations
References
From the Paper "Social responsibility has also become a buzzword because of the availability of large variety of similar goods. When a product comes into the market, it has to fight very hard for consumer's attention because there are several other rival goods competing for the same. A marketing and design consultant (Neuborne, 1991) states: "There was a time when you bought a product just for its price or performance...but with the number of products available, it is increasingly difficult to differentiate one product from another." In this situation, a consumer may base his buying decision on company's image and its commitment to public good. This is clearly indicated by a book, 'Shopping for a Better World' that has been selling millions of copies since it first came out in the market."
Abstract This paper discusses how the future manager's challenge will be to rebuild societal faith in his organization specifically and the corporate world in general. The paper explains that the recent financial and ethical scandals have encouraged organizations to meet the social demands of the public in order to regain the trust and loyalty of both consumers and investors.
Outline:
Introduction
The Social Contract and the Breakdown of Societal Trust
A Changing Society Equals A Changing Demand for CorporateSocialResponsibility Conclusion
From the Paper "An organization's social contract can be described as the obligations and expectations that society and organizations mutually have with one another. However, over recent years, there has been a breakdown in societal trust, due to the blatant disregard of this contract by so many businesses. In generations past, hard work and loyalty to an organization equated to job security. When employees were productivity and the company was profitable, employees were rewarded with increased income. An employers good fortune was linked to their employees and vice versa. However, with today's increased globalization and deregulation of so many industries, have broken their half of the social contract with massive blue collar and white collar layoffs, as well as the numerous accounting scandals that have rocked the financial world including: Enron, Worldcom, and Tyco."
Abstract This paper is a plan for a major research paper on the topics of globalization, corporatesocialresponsibility (CSR) and the automotive industry production chain, using the specific example of Toyota Motors Corporation of Japan. The objective of the study is to better understand corporatesocialresponsibility and how it can be utilized to not only benefit the customer, but also be utilized as a competitive advantage by the organization committed to the concept, through an analysis and assessment of Toyota's corporatesocialresponsibility practices and principles across their globalized production chain.
Outline:
Abstract
Introduction
Literature Review
Globalization
CorporateSocialResponsibility Supply Chain Literature
Toyota Motors Corporation's Success
Discussion
Conclusion
From the Paper "Much has been written on the topics of globalization and corporate social responsibility. "Globalization characterises the international setting of business transactions in which U.S. and world multinational companies will increasingly participate over the next several decades" (Carroll 2004). Globalization is a reality that businesses must face if they hope to be successful. Today competition doesn't simply come from competitors located in the same city, state, or even the same country - but can come from anywhere around the globe. As technology advances and geographical boundaries become less and less of a hindrance, operating in this new environment efficiently and effectively becomes critical (Micklethwait & Wooldridge 2000; Smeets 1990). Globalization has increased the mobility of capital (Koechlin 1995). And, with globalization, the rise and decline of world powers instigates global political evolution (Modelski 1996). "
Abstract This paper defines corporatesocialresponsibility (CSR) as the fundamental duty that corporations have to act responsibly and ethically and in a manner that does not harm the environment. The paper continues that CSR also requires corporations to ensure all individuals directly or indirectly affected by its transactions are treated with respect and to conform to the letter and the spirit of the law. The author indicates that the priority measurement is the public and private records regarding the corporation's past behavior in the marketplace, such as employee abuses, environmental damage and legal difficulties, using a frequency metric over a period of time to establish a baseline for future measures of CSR behavior. The paper concludes that RIM does not do enough in its CSR related activities and should adopt programs to assist Canada's large immigrant population with integration into the broader social fabric of the Canadian population.
Table of Contents:
CorporateSocialResponsibility Representative Corporation Population Characteristics
Target Company's CSR Profile
From the Paper "RIM maintains its CSR profile in several ways. The first example of how RIM adheres to a CSR imperative is that it has a publicly published and viewable code of ethics which requires that all its employees conform not only to all legal and regulatory mandates but that they also behave ethically appropriate as well. The code of ethics for the company originates directly from the office of the co-CEO, Jim Balsillie. Another example of RIM's compliance with CSR mandates is its basic factors that it requires its outsourcing partners to meet in order to maintain their manufacturing contracts with RIM." These contractor standards such as providing
Abstract This paper examines how corporate character and corporatesocialresponsibility have tended to be high on the list of social and ethical concerns in modern times. It argues that the role of the individual in ethical action surpasses that of the corporation, as by default the corporation is not an entity which can be held accountable for its actions. In order to discuss the concept of individual responsibility, as it applies to corporate culture, the paper looks at three high profile case studies: It looks at Enron, WorldCom and Nike and discusses ethical and legal issues surrounding them as well as actions taken toward accountability.
Outline:
Introduction
Punitive Action Against the Corporation The Public Cries Foul
Conclusion
From the Paper "Enron and WorldCom are two names that will likely go down in infamy with regard to fraudulent business practices. They also boast being responsible for one of the most sweeping alterations in tax and accounting laws that has ever occurred in a single piece of tax legislation. These changes will impact all levels and sizes of business, not to mention accounting firms who work for them for years to come. Yet these changes are external forces, not imposition of individual ethic. In a sense the changes that have occurred as a result of Enron and WorldCom in conjunction with ethics are punitive and collective, applying to all corporations to protect the public from future fraud. In other words they are preventative, restrictions on future actions, yet again those who will be held liable if the rules are broken are the individuals who break them, not the corporations themselves. In business much more thought must now go into the real financial situation of a company and the reported financial situation of a company expressed to the public and stakeholders. "
A discussion of how corporatesocialresponsibility (CSR) has become a linchpin for the development of organizations such as Starbucks and Ben & Jerry's.
Abstract This paper takes a look at how corporatesocialresponsibility (CSR) has become a popular method for organizations to bolster their reputations and respond to pertinent social issues. To illustrate, it focuses particularly on the organizations of Starbucks and Ben & Jerry's. The paper claims that, although CSR programs are important to the organization, the costs of these programs are so extensive that achieving a competitive advantage through CSR can be a notable challenge. In an effort to elucidate these challenges, the paper considers whether or not organizations can derive a competitive advantage through corporatesocialresponsibility programs. The results of the investigation suggest that CSR can lead to a competitive advantage, but only through integration of CSR with all aspects of the organization's operations. The paper concludes with recommendations for organizations to develop and implement CSR programs.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Literature Review
CorporateSocialResponsibility: An Overview
Business Ethics: An Overview
Competitive Advantage: An Overview
Business Ethics to Achieve Competitive Advantage
CSR and Business Ethics Vs. Profit Maximization
Importance of CSR Activities
Commercial Justification for CSR Policies for a Competitive Advantage
Summary
Recommendations for Application
Conclusion
From the Paper "Based on the data provided here, it seems reasonable to argue that corporate social responsibility encompasses a wide range of issues for the organization, requiring the fair, equitable, ethical and legal treatment of all organizational stakeholders. Stakeholders include employees and the public as a whole--i.e. anyone that will in some way be impacted by the organization. Through the adoption of comprehensive programs and policies that support fair and equitable treatment of stakeholders, the organization is able to establish a clear corporate social responsibility program that will have direct implications for the way in which the organization does business. CSR programs are intended to have a holistic impact on the organization, producing improved outcomes in all levels of operations."
Abstract In this article, the writer notes that today, the global economic market presents a context in which corporatesocialresponsibility is, as a priority, under constant duress. Economic pressures force many corporations to operate abroad in ways that they would never operate in an American market. The writer discusses that in the demonstration of positive public image, of higher standards in labor and production, in the protection of environmental standards and in the collaboration with governments to improve treatment of developing markets, the active corporation will soon find itself a leader in the creation and benefit of developing markets. The writer maintains that the role of business ethics must be seen as a crucial part of the strategy for corporate success. The writer concludes that a greater effort at legal prevention of corporate abuses must be employed so as to prevent the exploitation in foreign markets that makes socialresponsibility so hard for ethical competitors.
From the Paper "Therefore, the notions of corporate social responsibility and global legal enforcement should be considered suitable recommendations to respond to some of the modern economic conflicts raised in this account. Especially in the context of the changing business atmosphere produced by the inexorable forces of globalization, there is both challenge and opportunity to the organization which might effectively enter into this context with a core social conscientiousness. Among the social responsibilities to be taken, firms entering into the global atmosphere must make an effort to maintain high wage standards in all economic settings, at least proportional to the living demands met by domestic counterparts. Likewise, such multinational organizations must become intimately involved in the environmental preservation and community alliance of those settings in which they operate abroad, helping to produce a sound presence of America's economy throughout the world. If globalization is to succeed, it will do so according to the very same value systems and economic principles which are proposed to allow business and labor to co-exist effectively in America."
Abstract Public relations is generally regarded as a bad thing by consumers, whose cynicism has been aroused by recent events involving major U.S. corporations and cultural 'institutions' such as Martha Stewart. However, within the last generation, consumers said they were willing to refuse to purchase products or services from any corporations not perceived to be a corporate good citizen. The question for public relations and for corporations globally is whether it is possible to make corporate actions match the good reputations their public relations departments attempt to create. In short, can the current disconnect between perceptions of corporate behavior and the corporations' misbehavior with concurrent avowals of rectitude be aligned? There are cases in which citizen action has brought those elements into alignment. In other cases-notably Thailand-the government has short-circuited the profit intentions of a major corporation to provide for the citizens. However, in far too many cases, the governments look the other way while corporations extolling their own virtues nonetheless participate in human rights-questionable activities. This study identifies the nature of some of the disparities between corporate public relations and corporatesociallyresponsible-or irresponsible-behavior and suggest scenarios that might bring both into alignment.
Outline
Introduction
Methodology
Literature Review
Findings
Background: Burma Campaign UK
Aon Corporation Ericsson
Ivanhoe Mines
Rolls-Royce
Unocal:
Conclusion
From the Paper "How duplicitous are large corporations, and how gullible are consumers? These are questions public relations practitioners probably do not ask themselves very often, or perhaps ever. Yet, there are two violently divergent trends in corporate conduct, which suggest these as questions public relations practitioners-or at least, ethicists involved with corporate public relations, ought to ask. While those are open-ended questions more appropriate to an ethicist than to those planning public relations campaigns, there are two trends that public relations practitioners need to examine; the combination of those trends present precisely the sorts of corporate malfeasance and misfeasance that has captured the attention of both the public and governmental oversight organizations.
The first trend is for corporations to support worthy causes, partially for the increased goodwill it brings, and often sales as well. At first glance, it sends no warning signals. In fact, in 1994, "a nationwide survey...confirmed that a company's social performance significantly influences prospective customers, employees and investors in basic decisions about the firm" (Gildea, 1994, p. 20+) Of course, that was then and this is now. In the past decade, Enron happened, and MCI/WorldCom, and "Martha" and any number of other smaller scandals involving companies that, if not known for their good works, at least were not known for bad ones until the misdeeds came to light. Like all other companies of any size, these companies had established public relations departments to make public note of gifts to charity and the like. Bread and butter to any corporate public relations department is their corporate philanthropy, often carried out while the company is busy in other areas wreaking untold havoc. A case in point is Enron."
A discussion on corporatesocialresponsibility of television networks defined in this paper as, "business decision-making linked to ethical values, compliance with legal requirements, and respect for people, communities, and the environment".
Abstract The following paper focuses on the socialresponsibility of television networks in their depiction of violence. The writer gives a general introduction of the ethical issues of corporateresponsibility and outlines the specifics of the corporateresponsibility of television networks in their depiction of violence on television. Recommendations are given to help formulate a policy that addresses this issue. This paper also delves into the details of the implementation and evaluation of the policy to address the responsibility of television networks for violence shown on television.
From the Paper "I believe that it is not unreasonable to hold corporations to the same, if not a greater, responsibility toward the rest of society. The actions of corporations can affect, quite literally, millions of people. We only need to look at the Nestle Infant Milk Formula controversy for an especially distasteful example. Here, Nestle used misleading marketing to sell artificial infant formula to third-world children, resulting in the death of millions of these babies. See Dobbing (1988) for a detailed description of this case. Closer to home, the recent Enron scandal is another example how the actions of a corporation can damage millions of lives."
Abstract This paper offers a survey of a corporation's ethical responsibility to its employees and the social environment it inhabits. It discusses the concept of social equity and the "contract" between a corporation and its external environment. The paper explores the impact of interest groups.
From the Paper "Businesses generally conducted their operations according to the theory of economist and Nobel Laureate, Milton Friedman who maintained that a corporation's sole purpose was to maximize profits for the benefit of it ..."
Abstract This paper explains the way corporates use social initiatives to influence consumer behavior. The author points out the assumption that the customer will reward the corporation by buying their products. This paper reviews a recent research study examining the factors affecting the outcome of this assumption.
From the Paper "In today's environment of global competition, companies are becoming much more innovative with respect to how they distinguish and market their products. With all of the traditional and even emerging media outlets now flooded with competitive marketing, companies have begun to look at corporate social responsibility as a distinguishing factor for their company with the goal of translating it to a distinguishing factor for their products. Essentially companies are working on the assumption that consumers will reward them ..."
Abstract This paper discusses corporatesocialresponsibility (CSR) in terms of the overall relationship of the corporation with all of its stakeholders. Included in this discussion are customers, employees, communities, owners/investors, government, suppliers and competitors. The elements of socialresponsibility include investment in community outreach, employee relations, creation and maintenance of employment, environmental responsibility, human rights and financial performance.
From the Paper "The emergence of the concept of socially responsible corporations has become a hot topic as society in the 21st century becomes increasingly aware of situations in which a company's business practices are questioned. The heightened interest in the ethical role that corporations play has been perpetuated by increased awareness of corporate ethical issues. "
Abstract This paper discusses the Nike Corporation as one of the most effective examples of corporatesocialresponsibility (CSR) demanding change and forcing open reporting of CSR and ethical concerns. The paper explains that, as a result of CSR, Nike moved away from secretly supporting multinational archaic sweatshop contractor employees to now demanding that international contractors operate under U.S. labor laws. The paper further explains that, whereas Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) reportings are purely financial in their approach, CSR reporting is voluntary, includes any issue that the company deems appropriate for CSR standards and can be done by both public and private companies.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Case Study CSR Reporting
CSR Reporting Compared
From the Paper "Many companies choose to expand CSR by creating a code of conduct on which to base other reported or unreported ethical standards. If it is important to an industry or company to reduce particulate emissions into the water and air, increase labor fairness or even limit waste production and reuse of scrap materials, then it can and should be written into their code of conduct. A code of conduct can really be anything that includes ethical CSR principles and is usually an agreement between companies and employees and possibly suppliers and the purchasers that demand compliance with regard to internal CSR."
Tags: green nike, codes of conduct, transparency, fair labor practices
