Corporate Social Responsibility

Many organizations are now approaching their internal and external diversity issues with a new “set of lenses” so to speak.  Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR is a growing movement to look at capitalism in a whole new light.

What is CSR?

Corporate Social Responsibility - Aligning Business Operations with Social Values…For the benefit of all Stakeholders

Stakeholders - Who are they?

Anything affected by a company’s operations

This includes:

Employees

Community

Suppliers

Management

Shareholders

Environment

Economies

Politics

Individual and Collective Consciousness

Customers (to be revisited)

CSR Topics

Diversity- The recognition of differences (and similarities) in the workplace and marketplace

Racial

Ethnic

Age

Sexual orientation

Gender

Political

Economic

Religious

National Origin

Class, income

Other differences – what is important to you and your organization?

Business Ethics- The active consolidation of the impact of a company’s decisions on its stakeholders

Financial

Advertising

Employee Relations

Vendor Selection

Environment – The consideration of the impact of a company’s policies on natural resources

Recycling

Emissions

Water Use

Presentation

Workplace Issues – The consideration of the impact of a company’s policies on its employees

Time off

Employee Benefits

Work Environment

Sexual Harassment

Compliance with Labor Laws

Communication

Community Development – A company’s contribution to the quality of life in a community

Affordable Housing

Recreation

Education

Safety

Healthcare

Corporate Governance – Actions of a subset of stakeholders setting and following policies designed to maximize and balance the benefits to all stakeholders

Ownership structure

Stakeholder representation

Accountability

Communication

Transparency

Disclosure

External influences

Board structure/Effectiveness

Corporate Giving – Charitable Contributions

Financial Support

Products of Services

Volunteering

Mentoring

o       Community Outreach

·        Human Rights – A company’s consideration of policies on individual freedom and well being

o       Safety

o       Fair Wages

o       Working Conditions

Who is Interested in CSR Communications and Why?

·        Activists

o       To control company behavior

o       Attempt to hold companies accountable

o       Expose poor behavior

o       Draw attention to issues

o       Education

o       To gauge progress of their cause

·        Consumers

o       To be educated

o       To make better buying decisions

o       To learn about companies they  buy from

o       To make investment decisions

o       To understand a company’s values

o       To influence other’s buying decisions

·        Journalists

·        Analysts

·        Academics

·        Investors

·        Employees

·        Vendors

·        Public-at-large