The CSR’s Journey (Part I)

Creating new CSR programs

Today, many companies are recognizing the need to balance environmental, social, and governmental issues. And, even most of them have begun to implement practices in their day to day operations, demonstrating how Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) should be a fundamental value. Because we know the importance you give to your company’s Corporate Social Responsibility performance, today we decided to guide you through a brief journey through the history of CSR for you to see how it has evolved and changed according to the societies’ needs.

In 1960, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development convention was created to promote policies with the intention to achieve sustainable economic growth and employment.

In 1975, the "Impact and Benefit Agreements" between Canadian Aboriginal groups and extractive sector companies started. This time, the objective was clear: to create commitments by the company for employment, and training about projects constructed near Aboriginal communities.

Year later, the International Union for Conservation of Nature created The World Conservation Strategy, which identified the main responsible actors of habitat destruction such as:

Creating policies to promote great projects

• poverty,
• population pressure,
• social inequity, 
• and the terms of trade.

After that, the UN Earth Summit was held in Brazil, where a new business model, as well as the idea of using sustainable development to a company's competitive advantage was applied.

Later, in 1993, the launch of the Whitehorse Mining Initiative took these initiatives to the signing of the WMI Leadership Council Accord in 1994 in order to achieve a sustainable mining industry within the framework of an evolving and sustainable Canadian society. Five years later, Canada, along with Natural Resources Canada, IDRC, and the leadership of IISD, organized a workshop in Peru. The event brought together 11 countries from Latin America and Canada in order to work towards a sustainable future in the region. 

CSR ideas for the future

From the Product to the Employee with Sony

Sony's Social Responsibility

The company is one of the leading manufacturers of electronic products for the consumer and professional markets. Sony’s corporate social responsibility activities reflect its philosophy of implementing sound business practices; innovating to realize products, services and content that inspire people; assisting the communities in which the company operates; and helping to shape a better, more sustainable world. Sony believes that these activities both benefit society and enhance corporate value.

Today, Sony promotes CSR initiatives, which sets seven main areas of focus:

• Corporate governance,
• compliance,
• human resources,
• responsible sourcing,
• quality and services,
• environment and
• community engagement

All this with the aim of strengthening its operating foundation and continuously enhancing its corporate value.

Some of the values

Some of the areas mentioned before:

Products responsibility

Responsiveness and Customer Service:

Sony is taking various steps to improve its responsiveness and customer service capabilities in line with its commitment to respect its customers’ viewpoints in striving to deliver product quality and customer service that exceed their expectations.

Accessibility and Usability:

Accessibility and Usability is the key aspect of quality at Sony.

The company creates products and services that more people can use easily.
Sony aims to create products and services that people can use with ease-independent of age and disabilities.

Human resources 

Community engagement

Diversity and Inclusion:

Diversity refers to a variety of characteristics related to race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, beliefs, disabilities, gender, age, birthplace, sexual orientation, viewpoints and work style, and more. Sony promotes diversity thanks to the Sony Group as a key management strategy by ensuring an inclusive work environment and by recruiting, hiring, training and promoting employees from diverse backgrounds.

Rafael Nunez Aponte: Know These 3 Social Responsibility Campaigns

Social Responsibility is about giving back to the communities that keep your business in a good position, maybe even ones beyond your reach. Having a social commitment and good culture allow employees know they are working for something that good and with a high impact. Business becomes something far from dimensional and, more importantly, it cares about people. People want to do things that matter; companies that encourage employees to participate in volunteerism and giving back all efforts are creating fulfilling environments to work in.

Let’s see some of the best companies that have great campaigns on Social Responsibility.

One for One

1. Toms “One for one” motto is a very popular phrase. They have recently upped the ante by donating a part of their sunglass sales to vision care for children in need. However, this is not just consumers that are involved in this social action for good, there are also employees involved. Toms’ employees participate in an annual Shoe Drop where they travel and donate a variety of goods to children. Their careers page specifically calls for employees that want to change lives and be a part of a movement.

Social Responsibility

2. IBM truly believes in corporate citizenship. Their social good projects extend across issues and needs of the society. Employees volunteer in environmental efforts, community economic development, education, health, literacy, language and culture. Their volunteer initiative goes all year long; it is called the “Celebration of Service,” logged over 3,000,000 hours of service. IBM has also established “On Demand Community” enabling employees and retirees to find volunteer opportunities, through trainings and placement.

PG&E Earth Day

      3. PG&E works very well serving the communities of California. On Earth Day employees help clean and restore 18 state parks. They are members of Habitat for Humanity and volunteer by providing solar panels on new Habitat homes. Employee volunteerism hits inside the home as well by participating in various food programs providing those struggling to make ends meet with care packages and thousands of pounds of groceries.

Reebok’s Corporate Citizenship

Reebok's Corporate Social Responsibility

Commitment to Corporate Responsibility is an important legacy and hallmark of the Reebok brand. Reebok's history of innovation and conscientiousness guides them when creating policies, programs and partnerships. Grounded in their brand values, they believe that they have the opportunity to achieve their full potential as a corporate citizen while striving to meet the expectations of their employees, stakeholders and consumers.

In all facets of corporate responsibility, they are committed to a responsive process of continual re-evaluation and improvement that allows them to adapt to changing circumstances.

Reebok's Corporate Citizenship platform is activated through Reebok4Real

Reebok 4 Real Human Rights Student Advocate Program

This Program is the extension of Reebok's history of commitment to Human Rights and is designed to inspire the activists of the future. The program's mission is to educate students to become knowledgeable human rights advocates and empowered members of their community.

The program partners high school students and Reebok employees to help make a difference in the world. In addition to learning about human rights issues, an important goal of the program is to help students gain important skills necessary to succeed in their future lives as contributing members of the community and the business world.

The Reebok Foundation

Reebok Headquarters in Canton, MA, USA

The Reebok Foundation was formed in 1986 to focus and expand on Reebok's commitment to socially responsible action. They have worked with more than 500 non-profit organizations.

As a crucial component of Reebok's Global Corporate Citizenship Platform, the Reebok Foundation focuses its philanthropy in communities where Reebok's offices are located. The Foundation strives to promote social and economic equality by funding non-profit organizations delivering programs aimed at inner-city youth and underserved groups to empower youth to fulfil their potential - programs that provide youth with the tools they need to lead healthy, happy and actives lives.