Note: The source of this blog is: http://www.csrcafe.com/
Organizations around the globe realize the importance of business ethics and responsible business behavior. This realization took more roots after the financial crises of 2008. Companies now realize that behaving responsibly and engaging in CSR is the talk of the town. Many researchers also support this claim and argue that competitive advantage can be achieved throughCSR.
To this backdrop, companies have initiated different projects under this notion to do some public good along with earning profits. In some of previous blogs, I highlighted the risks associated with such programs which are initiated just as a lip service only, however, today, I would like to write about some exemplary CSR initiatives that companies are taking around the world and bringing a real change in solving social challenges.
1. Google:
As all of us know that dealing with the migrant crises have become a huge challenge around the world. The huge funding cuts by the governments in the aftermath of the financial crises have further stretched the pressure on the already limited resources. Therefore, governments around the world are finding it difficult to cope with this enormous challenge of migration and allocate reasonable funds to this cause. Google as a private company has started to extend its helping hand but initiating a unique project for raising funds for the migrants. Upon logging in to their website, Google asks you to donate funds to the international migrant crises. Google would match your contribution with equal amount. This idea received an unprecedented response from the public and they successfully raised $10 million dollars (Read about the campaign here).
2. BMW:
The German car manufacturer is famous for its extensive research and development efforts to make the company more sustainable. For achieving this aim, the company in using a wind turbine to provide power to its factory in Leipzig to manufacturer its car called the i-3 electric car.
3. Lego:
A Danish company making plastic bricks has embarked on making a "new, safer and more environmentally friendly material." It is surprising that a company which is totally based on making every single brick out of plastic can even start such an initiative, however, according to Forbes, they are putting efforts in finding a sustainable alternative solution. Forbes further highlighted that Lego has significantly cut down the use of paper and hardborad for its packaging thereby saving 6000 tons of material in one year. Moreover, since Lego is perceived as educational toys therefore, they are working with educationists to make their products into more creative learning programs.
4. LinkdIn:
LinkdIn's "InDay" initiative is about dedicating one Friday each month by employees to give back to the community through employee volunteerism and resources. Every InDay has a different theme which allows various diverse departments to come together for a common goal. The activities for InDay ranges from guest speakers to discuss on various global challenges, to initiating global learning programs and volunteering in local communities according tosmartrecruiters.com.
5. Dell:
Dell provide support to more than 4,615 NGOs around the world. Dell's program called YouthConnect provide educational and learning facilities to youth in 11 different countries. Their Social Innovation project provide funding, guidance and mentor-ship to college students to develop their projects for social good which bring solutions to societal issues. Dell also offers a wide range of assistance to disaster risk areas and countries.
These are some of examples that other companies can benchmark and contribute their part in resolving the social challenges by maintaining highest standards of business ethics and CSR initiatives.
Can you share some examples too? You are welcome to share them in the comments section of my blog (click here). I will try to highlight them in my upcoming blogs.
For further interested articles and videos on CSR, Business Ethics and Sustainability, please visit http://www.csrcafe.com/
Source
Organizations around the globe realize the importance of business ethics and responsible business behavior. This realization took more roots after the financial crises of 2008. Companies now realize that behaving responsibly and engaging in CSR is the talk of the town. Many researchers also support this claim and argue that competitive advantage can be achieved throughCSR.
To this backdrop, companies have initiated different projects under this notion to do some public good along with earning profits. In some of previous blogs, I highlighted the risks associated with such programs which are initiated just as a lip service only, however, today, I would like to write about some exemplary CSR initiatives that companies are taking around the world and bringing a real change in solving social challenges.
1. Google:
As all of us know that dealing with the migrant crises have become a huge challenge around the world. The huge funding cuts by the governments in the aftermath of the financial crises have further stretched the pressure on the already limited resources. Therefore, governments around the world are finding it difficult to cope with this enormous challenge of migration and allocate reasonable funds to this cause. Google as a private company has started to extend its helping hand but initiating a unique project for raising funds for the migrants. Upon logging in to their website, Google asks you to donate funds to the international migrant crises. Google would match your contribution with equal amount. This idea received an unprecedented response from the public and they successfully raised $10 million dollars (Read about the campaign here).
2. BMW:
The German car manufacturer is famous for its extensive research and development efforts to make the company more sustainable. For achieving this aim, the company in using a wind turbine to provide power to its factory in Leipzig to manufacturer its car called the i-3 electric car.
3. Lego:
A Danish company making plastic bricks has embarked on making a "new, safer and more environmentally friendly material." It is surprising that a company which is totally based on making every single brick out of plastic can even start such an initiative, however, according to Forbes, they are putting efforts in finding a sustainable alternative solution. Forbes further highlighted that Lego has significantly cut down the use of paper and hardborad for its packaging thereby saving 6000 tons of material in one year. Moreover, since Lego is perceived as educational toys therefore, they are working with educationists to make their products into more creative learning programs.
4. LinkdIn:
LinkdIn's "InDay" initiative is about dedicating one Friday each month by employees to give back to the community through employee volunteerism and resources. Every InDay has a different theme which allows various diverse departments to come together for a common goal. The activities for InDay ranges from guest speakers to discuss on various global challenges, to initiating global learning programs and volunteering in local communities according tosmartrecruiters.com.
5. Dell:
Dell provide support to more than 4,615 NGOs around the world. Dell's program called YouthConnect provide educational and learning facilities to youth in 11 different countries. Their Social Innovation project provide funding, guidance and mentor-ship to college students to develop their projects for social good which bring solutions to societal issues. Dell also offers a wide range of assistance to disaster risk areas and countries.
These are some of examples that other companies can benchmark and contribute their part in resolving the social challenges by maintaining highest standards of business ethics and CSR initiatives.
Can you share some examples too? You are welcome to share them in the comments section of my blog (click here). I will try to highlight them in my upcoming blogs.
For further interested articles and videos on CSR, Business Ethics and Sustainability, please visit http://www.csrcafe.com/
Source
