Corporate Social Responsibility - Essay Example

Some end up spending substantial resources on such activities. This is geared toward embracing the responsibility of the firm for other issues which could affect society (Mallin, 2009:16). For example, some firms are engaged in activities that highlight the need for an environment that is free from pollution. Society will take this as an initiative that is created by the corporate to make the world a better place for humanity.

Several key elements are used as approaches to corporate social responsibility. Firms have the right to select a number of these approaches to arrive at a habitable world. These are strategies that are used to attract potential clients that will engage the firm in other businesses. However, some firms that are financially endowed take part in all the approaches of social responsibility. This heightens their supremacy in the market as many people notice their commitment to social welfare (Kotler and Lee, 2011:9).

The first approach to social responsibility is the accommodative approach. This approach focuses on several activities that tend to accommodate everyone in society. These are collective activities that are geared toward supporting the whole society. Such activities involve shareholders, the community, and other neighboring and relevant entities. Many organizations come up with long-term ventures that are geared towards supporting the community and other entities that are connected to the firm.

In this strategy, the firm has to go to huge lengths in ensuring that society and other entities accrue the advantages of such ventures. As earlier mentioned, some firms are geared toward reducing the amount of pollution in the world. As such they have to part with their resources to sponsor all the activities that reduce pollution of a certain kind (Bacher, 2007:13). A succinct example is when the firm pays for some of the activities that are indulged in reducing pollution. Some of the activities need some amounts of cash and will need financial assistance. Some firms take the responsibility of running such activities at their expense (Mallin, 2009:12). Though they may spend substantial cash, their interests are well fulfilled in the long run. Similarly, when the firms engage in these activities, it is positive for the stakeholders. Some stakeholders are liable for some of these activities and taking it as their social responsibility lessens their work. For example, some firms pollute the environment and have to make sure they clean such a mess. In taking social responsibility in such activities, the firm fulfills its responsibility by cleaning the environment.

The second approach to social responsibility is where managers have to engage in social activities, which are geared towards the promotion of other people’s interests. Managers have their ostensible tasks and they should stick to these tasks. However, at some point, managers tend to accept a commitment to social responsibility and perform these tasks. Some of these tasks are demanding and will require a proactive manager. The manager in charge has to ensure all the activities are fully executed and with their corporation. For example, some managers take part in charity activities. Since they are the flag bearers, they have to show their presence in such activities (Kotler and Lee, 2011:17). This creates a scenario where managers have attracted a larger audience to participate in these activities. When the managers are present, it is almost certain that the other managers and workers will be committed to the event. This creates a group approach to social responsibility. This is the best approach to corporate social responsibility since it involves the entire firm.

The third approach is the defensive approach to social responsibility. The internal body of the firm makes decisions to take part in some activities that foster social responsibility. For example, some firms make decisions to provide educational materials to unprivileged people in society. Some of the unprivileged people in society do not have the financial muscle to give their school-going children learning materials. As such, they ensure they are giving the best in terms of learning materials. In some parts of the world, it is a regulation that firms should foster activities that are geared towards supporting learning activities (Mallin, 2009:19). Therefore, these firms act according to the regulations in supporting corporate social activities. Though it is an internal decision, the regulations that are incepted instigate corporate social responsibility.

The last approach to social corporate social responsibility is the philanthropic approach where the firm supports certain activities in the community for the long term. The corporate support these activities by granting finances and other monetary assistance. As such, the activities are solely dependent on the firm. It is, therefore, the corporate responsibility of the firm to make sure these activities are running.