Is Ability of Business to Act Successfully in a Social Responsible Manner Determined by Its Products - Essay Example

With reference to your own research, do you think that the ability of a business to act successfully in a social responsibility manner is mainly determined by the products it produces? Report By: [Your Name] Date: [Date of Submission] With reference to your own research, do you think that the ability of a business to act successfully in a social responsible manner is mainly determined by the products it produces? Introduction Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR for short is the ability of a business to manifest its truest basis to the public time and again. This means that its aim is to be truthful to all and sundry to create a positive mindset and image about the different product and service offerings under its organizational aegis. This paper will highlight the potential benefits of CSR which is in relation to the cost for businesses and stakeholders. It will also highlight how the CSR becomes a significant entity in relation to several other objectives of the organization. Then there will be some influences which determine the kind of responsibilities that are accepted by a business enterprise and the ones which are not while also highlighting some of the factors which discern the extent to which a business can be deemed as socially responsible. The value and the dire limitations towards businesses and stakeholders in the realms of social reporting will be discussed as will be the extent to which governments have a role in influencing the CSR. The examples of Nike (world’s biggest manufacturer of sports goods and equipment) and Apple (world’s largest electronic manufacturer) shall be employed within the CSR paper because these are some of the biggest names in the global business and finding their cases would be setting a good instance of how organizations like these have been manifesting themselves over the years. In essence, it is important that irrespective of the products that an organization comes up with, its CSR initiatives should be in line with its beliefs and long term strategic moves because these dictate how well the company is seen in the eyes of the people. Potential Benefits of CSR CSR always helps the business in relation to the cost for businesses and its varied stakeholders. By this, the meaning implied is that the businesses are banking on making a profit and the stakeholders look no different. Hence in conjunction with what the businesses and stakeholders think and act, it is pertinent that the premise of CSR is given importance. How this happens is a difficult process though. These businesses and stakeholders need to find a way through which they can reach the minds of their consumers so that they can eventually bring about a sale or make use of their services. The bottom line however is an intention to bring about a sale. Even though this might not be said, the role of CSR is to build a positive word of mouth for the business regimes which will eventually set about a pragmatic feel for all and sundry related with the business. The stakeholders might find it difficult to understand the message that CSR is trying to send their way but in entirety it is being conveyed in one form or the other. Hence in relation to businesses and stakeholders, the role of CSR is of paramount significance because it communicates a message like none other. The need is to realize how CSR is working to its full capacity and allow it to propagate a message which is for the overall betterment of the organization, a case in point being Nike where CSR is always seen imperatively. Similarly, CSR for the sake of Apple helps it to establish its basis within markets where Nokia and Samsung are in common use as far as mobile phones are related. The question that remains here is whether or not both Nike and Apple are doing all that they can to bring about something further in the name of CSR than merely producing goods and products (Petersen, 2012). Importance of CSR Relative to Other Corporate Objectives Since corporate objectives of every business are different, the role of CSR also takes a varied route. When this is discussed in line with how Apple views its overall objective of satisfying the customers through innovative solutions, in terms of products which can only be remarked as state of the art, the role of CSR becomes a confusing one for the business. Yet efforts are undertaken at Apple to make sure that the corporate objectives run hand in hand with the CSR perspective to bring about a sense of optimism within the relevant stakeholders and the society at large. Same is the case at Nike where endeavors are enacted to guarantee that CSR remains a quintessential player of the business, whether or not it is a fundamental part of its corporate objectives. Even though corporate objectives remain pivotal for any business enterprise, following the same in line with the CSR undertakings takes an even more significant turn. This helps the organization to understand how to tap the potential markets and have a positive word for its related line of businesses. CSR will always win favor for the sake of the business because it would never be straying from the corporate objectives. It could be possible that the CSR perspective does not satisfy the actual customers and stakeholders of the business but the end result would be based on the premise of bringing in something good for the collective well-being of the society. In fact, all CSR initiatives are based on the assumption that they will meet the corporate objectives first and then only move outwards to win the hearts and minds of the people. The need is to comprehend how CSR has been instrumental in projecting a socially responsible picture of a business whether or not the business’ products are manufactured or produced in the same manner. Influences Determine which Responsibilities are Accepted by a Business The CSR influences which play a huge role in understanding the kind of responsibilities that are accepted by a business must not be deviating from what the business does best. However for the sake of Apple, these would mean that the CSR initiative does not sell free mobile phones but go ahead and plant trees in an area where there is immense pollution or for Nike to organize walks and marathons to make sure that more and more people end up wearing Nike joggers and shoes. However, for Nike this might not be revealed as a purpose yet the bottom line remains etched in the fact that it aims to cater to the customers and the potential ones through its own offerings in the form of top of the line products which are on display (Clark, 2012). Some of the influences that determine the kind of responsibilities which are not accepted by a business might be deemed in the line of selling cigarettes at an event that does not go down too well with what Nike preaches. Same is the case with Apple that mistakenly involves its brand within events that have an anti-green policy, where deforestation remains the buzzword. Hence the all out objective needs to be sought before companies like Nike and Apple can move forward with their respective CSR initiatives and undertakings. In order to act in a socially responsible manner for the business, it is imperative that its products have absolutely no role with its CSR measures. Factors Determining the Extent to which a Business is Socially Responsible Some of the factors that play an essential role in finding out how socially responsible a business is revolve around the fact that its main business must not suffer. If this happens in an automated fashion, then only can a business delve into such zones where CSR is being seen as the best foot forward, as far as the organization under consideration is related. For Apple, some of the factors that take precedence over others stem from the fact that its competitors should not take the lead over Apple. Same is the case with Nike where Reebok, Adidas and Puma should always remain one step down to what Nike does in terms of its core business. The differences for Nike are earmarked in the case its close competitors as named above (Gonzalez-Perez, 2013). However, for Nike, it is more about a technological change that can happen within sports goods and related equipment that Nike manufactures on a consistent basis. Then again, the bottom line is dependent on how well both Nike and Apple are streamlined to act in a socially responsible way keeping in mind their respective products are not seen as CSR undertakings. If this happens, the companies can have a tough time convincing their fans and followers all over the world. Value and Limitations to Businesses and Stakeholders of Social Reporting Social reporting makes use of the social media to report in a collective way as well as to convey in a live fashion from different events and conferences around the globe. For the sake of businesses and stakeholders, social reporting is deemed as a viable option because it allows them to interact with their intended target audiences and also to collaborate with them in a way that serves their end objectives. The limitations come about in the wake of a lack of cohesiveness and informal ranks developing up on their own. In addition, there are concerns that a physical basis is always appreciated by the people and social reporting does not cater to such issues on a consistent basis. It might give a good account of the CSR event but lack on the premise of a physical presence or basis. For both Nike and Apple, social reporting has come about as a major savior since many social media platforms are being used in conjunction with one another. This has helped both Nike and Apple to grow beyond measured proportions. Nike covers varied events in far-off locations around the world while Apple makes use of social reporting to cover mobile phone launches happening in Asia as well as Europe at the same time. Then again, the manner in which products work to the advantage of CSR is a question that only a few can answer. Government Influence Governments around the globe influence CSR because they believe that a business should always contribute to the collective goodwill of the society. They are of the view that since these businesses earn in millions and even in billions at times, their money should also be made use of within the social responsibility domains. One should believe that the role of different governments within influencing CSR in the organizational stance is uncalled for. This is because these related businesses have a set pattern and they know exactly what to do, so any kind of interference is basically dealing with them in a negative fashion. As these businesses are coming up with jobs and top of the line products and services, keeping them to their own is a good way of handling them. As far as my business regimes are concerned, the government influence has been in the form of looking after our office environments and to plant trees that shall leave a greenhouse effect within the society where we are situated. The extent has been medium-sized with pressure coming in from different avenues to complete the task at hand in a stipulated amount of time. The influence has therefore been resolute and very mild, both at the same time. It does not matter what products my business manufactures or what kind of services we offer – the bottom line remains etched in the fact that CSR role is something totally different, and needs to be understood properly. Conclusion It is important that a business’ CSR role is independent of the products and services that it comes up with. The need is to manifest its truest basis through actions and undertakings. This report explained how well certain points are handled by Nike and Apple as well as a range of other businesses in their normal, day to day affairs as they look after the needs and wants of their respective customers. Also it touches upon the relation of CSR with the corporate objectives and the due role of the stakeholders within such dispositions. I believe I agree with the fact that CSR should be kept separate from how a business manufactures certain products and services, and how it is able to make a mark in the minds of the people, related or unrelated. References Clark, T. (2012). What CSR is not: Corporate Social Irresponsibility. Critical Studies on Corporate Responsibility, Governance and Sustainability, 4 Gonzalez-Perez, M. (2013). Corporate Social Responsibility and International Business: A Conceptual Overview. Advances in Sustainability and Environmental Justice, 11 Petersen, H. (2012). Role of Business: A Portfolio Model of Corporate Social Responsibility. Journal of Global Responsibility, 3(1) Read More