Monday, November 19, 2007

The so-called 'Corporate Social Responsibility'

Just back from a guest lecture on Corporate Social Responsibility. The speaker started off the session with the question 'who all r in favour of companies going for CSR?' I was one amongst the many ppl who raised their hands for this. This was followed by the next most obvious question 'Who all r against it?' There were 2 hands raised and the speaker commented that her lecture is mainly for these 2..
But what happened was at the end of the lecture, me and my friend who was sitting near me turned against it... hmmm.. not actually against it but the way CSR activities are carried about by companies at present.. or atleast we were not happy with the total absence of correlation between the name CSR and the work carried out under that name..
CSR as the name says is the 'responsibility' that 'corporates' should show for the 'society'. I feel this sense of responsibility should come from deep from their hearts and not for the sake of competition or publicity or to nullify the damage they have done to the society..
A multinational beverages company that employed children in their factories, started off with their CSR initiative when their act of child labour became public. They just used CSR to play with the 'short-term memory' that our public have. Politicians also do the same. So when we crib about politics, how can we praise CSR?
When these companies, instead of acting after the damage is done and most importantly their illegal deeds come to light, refrain from such activities, it is the greatest CSR they can do for the society.
Companies spend a lot of money(more than 50%) allocated for CSR in advertising and marketing rather than for social causes. So how do they expect us to call this activity as CSR rather than marketing/advertising?
And the speaker also mentioned that employees should come forward and contribute willingly to CSR activities. In that way, when they look back in their lives, they would have the satisfation of having achieved something. Very true!!! But my question is why dont the companies think in the same line and do something without expecting any returns!
She argued that no companies do anything without expecting a return. Fine!!! But the way CSR is implemented in many companies gives a feeling that they are only for returns.
She ended the lecture with the statement
'CSR not only contributes to the society
But also makes sound business sense'
I read it as
'CSR not only makes sound business sense
But also contributes to the society'
Not my mistake. Should blame brain(maybe my eyes also) for that;)

2 comments:

vinay said...

so very true..

altruism and business doesn't go hand in hand...

one is driven by compassion and empathy...and other by greed and 'self' sustenance...

malathi said...

@vinay
exactly.. and we dont expect tat from them too..
atleast they can stop trying to make ppl fools(or rather make fools out of themselves) by claiming so..