Corporate Responsibility

 

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) means that in addition to making a profit companies respect the needs of all partners with whom they come into contact as part of their business. These partners include employees, customers, competitors, suppliers, as well as the local community and the environment.

Several terms are used in connection with Corporate Responsibility – most often CSR, sustainability and, in recent years, the acronym ESG, that arose from the financial field and explicitly points to the three fundamental pillars of corporate responsibility: Environmental, Social and Governance.

Environmental (E)


  • CO2 emissions
  • Consumption of energy and resources
  • Circularity and waste
  • Sustainable mobility
  • Biodiversity

Social (S)


  • Protection of human rights throughout the value chain
  • Remuneration and employee benefits
  • Health support
  • Diversity and inclusion
  • Philanthropy and volunteering

Governance (G)


  • Ethical and anti- corruption principles
  • Diversity in company management
  • Sustainability reporting
  • Dialogue with interested parties
  • Data protection and privacy

Environmental (E)


  • CO2 emissions
  • Consumption of energy and resources
  • Circularity and waste
  • Sustainable mobility
  • Biodiversity

Social (S)


  • Protection of human rights throughout the value chain
  • Remuneration and employee benefits
  • Health support
  • Diversity and inclusion
  • Philanthropy and volunteering

Governance (G)


  • Ethical and anti- corruption principles
  • Diversity in company management
  • Sustainability reporting
  • Dialogue with interested parties
  • Data protection and privacy

Even though in the past many entrepreneurs naturally tried to combine business success with a positive impact on society (Tomáš Baťa is a good example), the first definitions of the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility date back to the 1950s. Even at the time, the term “society” already had a wide meaning. In 1960, for instance, Keith Davis and Robert Blomstrom wrote: “Entrepreneurs exercise social responsibility when they consider the needs and interests of other people that may be affected by their business activities. If they do, they can even see things that are outside the narrowly defined economic and technical interests of their company.

Even other well-known definitions of the term CSR go beyond community support (philanthropy) and emphasize responsibility towards all stakeholders. In its 2001 Green Paper, even the European Union defined CSR as “the voluntary integration of social and environmental concerns into day-to-day business activities and interactions with corporate stakeholders.

Thus, CSR has always been a complex category based on three pillars where responsible entrepreneurship is manifested (the so-called triple bottom line) – environmental, social, and economic (corporate governance).

In any case, in corporate practice, the use of the term CSR has deviated from its original definition. Nowadays, many companies (mistakenly) only use it to refer to activities that support the community, i.e. philanthropy and volunteering. Moreover, part of the public now sees CSR activities as just a marketing tool with symbolic gestures that do not bring real positive impact.

The concept of ESG, which is often used nowadays, addresses these concerns. It emphasizes a deeper connection with the day-to-day operations of the company and a strategic connection with business goals. It is based on measurable and quantifiable goals. Some experts argue that ESG is “a more effective and strategic younger sibling of CSR“.

There is currently no clear consensus over which concept is better at describing the nature of responsible entrepreneurship. Some companies continue to use the term CSR because they have always considered it to have a wide scope, while others prefer the terms “sustainability” or ESG.

At Business Leaders Forum, we believe that the term your company decides to adopt is not what is important at the end of the day. What matters is how you fill it with content.

Corporate Responsibility is not about selfless activities unrelated to the business, but rather about creating value for society that also helps the company achieve long-term prosperity.

CSR quotes

Corporate Social Responsibility is a hard-edged business decision. Not because it is nice to do or because people are forcing us to do it, but because it is good for our business.

Niall FitzeraldUnilever

… I think I made the most money when I decided to head in a direction that would seemingly only benefit the people and society. The other direction, which seemed like it would only benefit me and harm society, ended up harming us both.

Tomáš BaťaEntrepreneur

Creating a strong business and building a better world are not conflicting goals – they are both essential ingredients for long-term success.

William Clay Ford Jr. Ford Motor Company

What are the main benefits of corporate responsibility for companies?

Increased sales (profits)

from offering responsible products and services, as well as having an improved reputation

Higher attractiveness to investors

leading to better access to capital

Increased loyalty among existing employees

by responding to their needs and expectations

Attracting and retaining talents

thanks to the support of diversity and inclusion

Lowered costs

thanks to measures targeting environmental efficiency in operation and production

Better risk management

thanks to cooperation with suppliers and OSH programs

Improved reputation

and a more positive image among the general public