Is Corporate Social Responsibility only about the difference a company makes to a disadvantaged community or the environment?
Clearly, much of the focus for CSR is around the difference made to a community outside of the company, yet the word ‘community’ can easily refer to the employees that work inside the organisation, the management of suppliers and partners, and also the treatment of its customers. Where such processes can be measurable then companies should be able to market themselves as socially responsible. Employers that have policies and working practices that are ethical, professional and responsible, can lead to a positive working culture, and a motivated and performing workforce, contributing to the bottom line. However, in the current economic climate, is this too much of an onerous burden, particularly for small to medium sized organisations?