top of page

Corporate Social Responsibility

Introduction


Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a self-regulating business model that enables companies to be socially accountable to themselves, their stakeholders, and the general public. By engaging in corporate social responsibility, also known as corporate citizenship, businesses can be conscious of the impact they have on the economic, social, and environmental aspects of society. CSR denotes that, in the normal course of business, a firm operates in ways that contribute positively to society and the environment, rather than adversely.


Corporate social responsibility types


There are four primary categories of corporate social responsibility. A firm may choose to participate in any of these independently.


Environmental Responsibility


Environmental responsibility is the cornerstone of corporate social responsibility, with its foundation in the preservation of nature. Through effective operations and support of connected causes, a business may guarantee that it leaves natural resources in better condition than before.


It may adopt production techniques that reduce pollution, waste, natural resource usage, and emissions. It recycles items and resources across its operations and promotes re-use practises among its customers. Compensating for negative affects by replenishing natural resources or supporting causes that may assist mitigate the business's impact. For instance, a firm that cuts down trees may pledge to replant the same number or more.


Ethical Responsibility


Ethical responsibility is the cornerstone of corporate social responsibility and is based on operating in an honest and moral way. Typically, businesses choose their own ethical aims, while external influences or customer demands may also have an influence. Examples of ethical obligations include:

Equal treatment regardless of age, colour, culture, or sexual orientation for all consumer kinds.

This involves equitable employment consideration for all persons, irrespective of their specific peculiarities. Functioning in transparent and honest manner.


Philanthropic Responsibility


The pillar of corporate social responsibility that questions how a corporation behaves and contributes to society is philanthropic responsibility. In its most basic form, philanthropic responsibility refers to how a firm uses its resources to improve the world. This consists of: Whether or whether a business distributes profit to charity or causes, it has this belief. Distributing profits amongst organisations like children welfare , women or old age.



Advantages


CRS projects aim to have a good global effect by providing direct benefits to society, nature, and the community in which a company operates. A corporation may also see internal gains as a result of the activities. Knowing their company is promoting good causes, employee satisfaction may increase and retention of staff may be strengthened. In addition, individuals of society may be more inclined to trade with businesses who are aiming to have a more conscious, positive influence beyond the limits of their company.


India and CSR


In India, the concept of CSR is governed by clause 135 of the Companies Act, 2013.

India is the first nation in the world to mandate CSR spending and provide a system for identifying viable CSR initiatives.


The CSR provisions within the Act is applicable to companies with an annual turnover of 1,000 crore and more, or a net worth of Rs. 500 crore and more, or a net profit of Rs. 5 crore and more. The Act mandates the establishment of a CSR committee tasked with recommending a Corporate Social Responsibility Policy to the Board of Directors and periodically monitoring the policy. The Act encourages corporations to contribute 2% of their average three-year net earnings to CSR operations.


Modern Adaptation of a Gandhian Idea


Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is the buzzword in the corporate world and the Government. Some in business and even the public at large believe that the government has gained momentum for Gandhi's vision of Trusteeship by enacting legislation requiring corporations and businesses to invest 2% of their profits towards a social cause. It is referred to as CSR. Gandhi's concept, on the other hand, is more profound. Gandhi also had something to say about corporate ethics. He had firm beliefs about how persons involved in trade and business should conduct themselves in order to contribute to nation-building and the formation of a nonviolent harmonious society.


The theory of aparigraha, non-acquisitiveness, tend not to acquire and consume things that are useless to an individual. Gandhi introduces the concept of limiting personal demands/needs. A responsible trustee would monitor and control his or her own consumption. After meeting the necessities for a reasonable living, the remainder of the resources must be used for the greater good. Gandhi was opposed to philanthropy. There is a distinction to be made between a philanthropist and Mahajan. The Mahajan tradition is thought to have originated in Gujarat and Rajasthan. Mahajan is a trustee who generates and owns more money than he or she needs, understands it, lives a simple lifestyle, and utilizes the fortune for socially useful reasons.


bottom of page