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FACING OUR FUTURE WITH CONFIDENCE – DEFINING CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
What does is take to be a socially responsible organisation ? Richard Collins , Founder of CSR-A , which provides the UK ’ s only National Social Responsibility Accreditation Scheme , explains why it is so important for businesses to take Corporate Social Responsibility seriously and how to drive change towards sustainability .
Just what is Corporate Social Responsibility ( CSR )? This is a perplexing question and one I have been determined to fully understand . The term , Corporate Social Responsibility , was officially coined in 1953 by American economist , Howard Bowen , in his publication , Social Responsibilities of the Businessman .
Traditionally CSR is aimed at encouraging companies to be more aware of the impact of their organsiation on the rest of society . Social responsibility is an approach that contributes to sustainable development by delivering economic , social and environmental benefits for all stakeholders .
It is a concept with many definitions and practices and one that addresses many and various topics such as human rights , corporate governance , health and safety and environmental effects . The purpose of social responsibility is to drive change towards sustainability .
A new standard for CSR relevant for the next century
I wanted a new definition that was less fluffy at the edges and one that applied to all organisations across all sectors , no matter how small or large . Social responsibility should be for everyone .
Having been asked by a large regional business membership group to look at establishing an accreditation for social responsibility I needed a new definition , a
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