When we ask companies about CSR they usually say: Why do I need it? I've already given a donation to an orphanage etc. Why should I bother the social problems, I pay taxes for it. Unfortunately, accumulation and blur knowledge on CSR strengthens this type of attitudes, which translates into a lack of cooperation with the company's stakeholders and the loss of potential benefits from it.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) can be seen as an action that refers to the future social value which is not of interest to the company, but required by law, eg. the development of employees in the organization, developing the drug testing without the use of animals, recycling and preventing poisoning of nature, supporting local businesses, including products with social attributes. You can also refer the CSR to corporate citizenship, business ethics, responsibility. CSR should be aimed at social welfare, containing involvement in the local community and environmental issues, codes of ethics and business fair play behaviors.
Design and implementation of CSR can be divided into the following steps (all include a continuous dialogue with stakeholders):
- Fostering awareness of the organization (employees, public authorities) by reference to the values shared by managers and groups of factors affecting the company (political, social and economic factors).
- Establishing a vision and CSR meaning for the company and its employees (analysis of organizational and social conditions, identification of values and norms and the state of corporate social responsibility in the organization).
- The inclusion of CSR in the company's strategy and actions - planning and implementation of goals and objectives, initiatives, programs.
- Assessment of CSR and progress in its implementation.
- Institutionalization - reinforcing CSR in systems, procedures and standards, and values.
- CSR consists mainly to the company's stakeholders(employees, suppliers, state, local communities, customers, etc.) and challenges at the crossroads of three areas, ie. economic, social and environmental.
The result will be to minimize the risks and negative impacts and maximize value for the company and its stakeholders. This forces the concept of management of an organization aimed at usability and the creation of so-called “shared value” (economic and social). Obtain this value lies in the ability to fit the value chain and key business activities to better compete keeping in mind challenges in the area of social objectives, CSR policy, and their integration into internal and external business activities.
Analysis of the literature and regulations regarding CSR showing that the integration of the company with CSR can be seen as a priority, especially as a driver for valuable innovations. Even the European Union in its strategy for 2011-2014 and later documents indicates that in addition to risk mitigation and attention to social issues, companies should use CSR to search for business opportunities and innovation (Fig.1).
Fig.1 Simplified process of value creation using CSR
Source: own elaboration
Responsibility barometer combines these guidelines with an emphasis on innovation, cooperation and communication with stakeholders and to build shared value, as the main guideline allows to build valuable CSR and to achieve above average benefits.