A company that carries out corporate social responsibility actions is strengthened and becomes more profitable. Discover how to achieve it! Small and medium-sized companies are often worried about closing the month, reaching sales goals, paying staff on time and leaving aside actions that could significantly contribute to their business, such as the implementation of a Social Responsibility plan.
Having a philosophy aligned to Corporate Social Responsibility actions will give a number of advantages to a company, such as attracting the best talent, considerably enhancing the reputation and loyalty of clients, improving relationships with stakeholders. and raise the value of the business for investors.
What is the Social responsibility?
Social responsibility is the commitment, obligation and duty possessed by individuals, members of a company or society to contribute voluntarily to a more just society and to protect the environment. Social responsibility can be comprised of negative and positive actions, that is, the former refer to refraining from acting and the latter to act. Social responsibility is carried out by an individual (individual social responsibility) or by the personnel that make up a company or organization.
For example, social responsibility strategies by a government entity, a company or an organization can be the recovery of public spaces for the enjoyment of the community’s neighbors.
Social responsibility was caused by the concern of individuals, public authorities and institutions for the damage caused to the environment as a result of economic activity.
Because of this, they pressurize the managers of the companies to comply with environmental requirements and demand that the State proclaim environmental laws, as well as verify their application and compliance. Social responsibility is a normative concept, but it is not mandatory, that is, it does not have the force of law. In spite of this, one can not fail to observe, since it is essential that citizens take a mature attitude and create awareness with the environment and society.
The fulfillment of social responsibility generates benefits for society and the company or organization, since it increases its reputation, fosters public confidence and improves the health of workers and the individuals that make up society. The first studies on social responsibility were conducted in the 1950s in the United States, in Europe it was in the 1960s. The first manifestations arose in the year 1906, but they were not taken into account, and it was only in 1953 that in the United States they were considered as such. Beginning in 1970, associations interested in the subject began to emerge, transforming this topic into a new field of study. Social responsibility is embodied in international agreements such as the Universal Biotin Declaration and Human Rights. In countries, such as Mexico, there are regulations that aim to help organizations or companies contribute to sustainable development by meeting the needs of the population without compromising natural resources and the environment.
Corporate social responsibility
Corporate social responsibility is linked to the environmental or social aspects that make up a company. In general, the company carries out various social programs that achieve useful benefits both internally and for the community, improving the quality of the individuals who work in it and of the neighbors who live around it. Corporate social responsibility is ethical, transparent and legal management by companies or organizations in order to reduce the negative impacts of the environment and society. Currently, business management is based on a responsible position regarding the impact of the activities carried out, therefore, they create plans to act from the standpoint of sustainable development.
Environmental social responsibility
It refers to the different programs or plans that the company adopts to preserve or safeguard nature as a whole and future generations. Currently, companies adopt strategies to reduce environmental impact, and their main objective is sustainability.
University social responsibility
University social responsibility refers to the fact that the university not only aims to train excellent and recognized professionals, but also individuals committed to the development of the country and the community.
Identify
In the first vertex, the vision of the company will be identified: What do I want to be? What can I do? and how do I want to be recognized?
In the second vertex the environment will be analyzed: What is the world like and what will the world be like? What are the challenges? What are the needs of the market? What are the regulations? In what markets will I go? operate?
In the third vertex you will find the expectations of the stakeholders: What do the workers of my company think? What do the clients expect from us? Is the business attractive to investors ?, etc.
With these answers, the playing field of the intangibles of the business will be drawn, jumping to the table a series of attributes that will allow us to manage corporate responsibility and reputation.
Evaluate
Identify how these relevant aspects are being carried out periodically, using specific tools that are useful according to the business model (surveys, social network analysis, etc.). For example, if it has been recognized that ethics is one of the relevant points, I must analyze how I am perceived or if an important attribute is the social impact, that is, to see how I am contributing to society with my activity.
Plan and act
In this stage we analyze what aspects of improvement can be incorporated in the company and if this activity reinforces the relevant identified in the beginning. For example, if it is perceived that the business is not recognized as an ethical company, then the internal policies of the organization must be reinforced.
Learn more
The companies when they are created, are made with great motivation, enthusiasm and a lot of risk, since the entrepreneurs place all their effort, optimism and above all their capital in that endeavor. That is why, adopting CSR measures from the beginning, is a great challenge, but above all a long-term responsibility.
Identify the relevant relevant
In the first vertex, the vision of the company will be identified: What do I want to be? What can I do? and how do I want to be recognized?
In the second vertex the environment will be analyzed: What is the world like and what will the world be like? What are the challenges? What are the needs of the market? What are the regulations? In what markets will I go? operate?
In the third vertex you will find the expectations of the stakeholders: What do the workers of my company think? What do the clients expect from us? Is the business attractive to investors ?, etc.
With these answers, the playing field of the intangibles of the business will be drawn, jumping to the table a series of attributes that will allow us to manage corporate responsibility and reputation.
Evaluate
Identify how these relevant aspects are being carried out periodically, using specific tools that are useful according to the business model (surveys, social network analysis, etc.). For example, if it has been recognized that ethics is one of the relevant points, I must analyze how I am perceived or if an important attribute is the social impact, that is, to see how I am contributing to society with my activity.
Plan and act
In this stage we analyze what aspects of improvement can be incorporated in the company and if this activity reinforces the relevant identified in the beginning. For example, if it is perceived that the business is not recognized as an ethical company, then the internal policies of the organization must be reinforced.
Learn more
The companies when they are created, are made with great motivation, enthusiasm and a lot of risk, since the entrepreneurs place all their effort, optimism and above all their capital in that endeavor. That is why, adopting CSR measures from the beginning, is a great challenge, but above all a long-term responsibility.
Finally, Considering that Social Responsibility (RS) is the commitment contracted by the actions or omissions of any individual or group that generates an impact on society and its neighboring community. The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) which is the active and voluntary contribution of business focused on serving the society with useful products under fair conditions, ensuring decent working conditions while maintaining business ethics, ensuring resource conservation by respecting the environment, while improving the possibilities and opportunities of the communities where it operates.
About Author
