How can I ignore CSR?No, I couldn't !
Few months ago I have said something about corporate social responsibility as a new strategy for companies. I know that this is not new for most of us because we have studied it at the university in different courses. Whether we are majoring life science or social science we are told to focus on CSR because it is the most important issue for our peaceful and prosperous society. Every president, prime minister, director, manager or company owner begins and ends his /her speech by throwing few words about corporate social responsibility. What is really its concept? Did companies realize and understand it clearly? I have participated different workshops and directly or indirectly people raise questions over corporate social responsibly. Whenever organizers or leaders are asked about CSR, they are talking about their green plan or how they plan to protect pollution . But is that the only meaning of CSR? no, that is not. Of course it is not rocket science which needs a lot of physics. Or we needn’t know a lot of calculations and mathematical formulas. We can define it as a company's role in, or responsibilities towards society. That includes environment protection, sharing profits for the development projects, participating in minimizing unemployment, minimizing risks for the wellbeing of the society, protecting crimes, adjusting our business with fair wealth distribution, assisting disable and old people, to be active participants for the peace of our world, and etc.
1. How can a company that makes billions of dollars profit says it is active in CSR at the same time people around its factory are dying with polluted gas due to the effect of by-products of the factory?
2. How can a company call itself a corporate and socially responsible while it discriminate societies with their social status, colour, race , gender and age?
3. How can a company claims as socially responsible but paying officials to protect its benefit unlawfully?
4. Is that the meaning of corporate social responsibility to help few protestors to damage one’s property in order to avoid his/her political opinion?
5. Can a company be committed to corporate social responsibility by ignoring Inclusion and diversity ?
Few years ago Tony Blair , former Prime minister for UK, has told his party colleagues in open public speech that during this age, at the 21st century ,in modern Britain people are forced to change their names to get a job . Because of their names companies reject their applications. Thus, they need to have British name. He told not only for his colleagues but also for the whole world that discriminate people. Blair might bring this sensitive issue in order to get support from immigrants for his political benefit . But It is wise to concentrate on corporate social responsibility in order to avoid such partiality. Specially governments and big companies should focus on the implementation of CSR in order to show their fairness and integrity.