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From the World Economic Forum to undergrad business courses, corporate social responsibility is now a priority. There are just two problems. CSR can be disingenuous. And it's dangerous ...Read the full article
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gena rotstein from Calgary, Canada writes: Hi Konrad, Thank you for writing this piece. As someone who works closely with small businesses to look at how community investment projects can help leverage their company to a new level or align with the CEO's values it is important to understand both sides of the CSR coin. What I have to say about this is something pretty basic, whatever the motivations of the company, we know that Canada's economy is built on the backs of small and medium sized businesses. We also know that we are entering (and in Alberta have already entered) a tight labour market. Another layer is that chartiable organizations have limited lobbying power and resources to lobby. By working closely with their corporate partners they can access government and influence policy. What does this mean? It means that corporations can positively influence the direction of government policy as it pertains to the environmental, social, educational, health, recreational (you name it...) sectors of the non-profit and charitable sector. CSR is not solely about environment or greenwashing a company. At its core, it enables a company to connect at a personal level with its employees, consummers/clients, vendors, and community at large. A company that is well situated within a community can mitigate risk and improve its overall value. All the best, Gena
- Posted 27/06/08 at 10:05 AM EST | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
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Jacob Malthouse from Vancouver, Canada writes: Hi Konrad,
Could CSR as an incubator rather than an inhibitor? Mainstream accepted CSR practice could be folded into traditional accounting and reporting practice, becoming a normal way of doing business. In this way companies would improve and diversify their performance. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange requires GRI (Global Reporting Initiative) compliance before listing on their exchange. IMHO that's a good thing. Would that TSX could be so bold.
Having followed this field for some time, my concern is less with CSR per se and more with the lack of government and quasi-regulator uptake of its more positive aspects, and conversely ignorance of its negative ones.
The silent partner in the room is indeed government. But rather than simply critique CSR, why not look more specifically to what is actually in place and consider how that can be improved?
A great first step would be that lynch-pin of any economy, the banks. Canada mandates that large banks must publish a 'public accountability statement'.
My question to you would be, what's missing? I can think of one or two things...- Posted 27/06/08 at 11:06 AM EST | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
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Paul I from Rochester NY, United States writes: Great article and thank you for showing the BP CSR initiative as the total PR fluff that it is. The other points that resonate are; i) most of the power for these programs will come from the bottom up as employees make it clear they prefer real programs as opposed to fluff and ii) that corporations must be driven by governments and not driving governments.
- Posted 27/06/08 at 9:14 PM EST | Alert an Editor | Link to Comment
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