Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability

Unit 8

 

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• Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability

INTRODUCTION

The evolution of CSR has been profound in the last 25 years. Twenty-five years ago, CSR activities were practiced as a way to prevent or lessen criticism from the government and the public. In addition, these activities were not integrated strategically to the company’s core business. There has been a marked shift from the past. Companies now approach CSR strategically, linking CSR activities to the company’s business model and branding (image). More recently, companies have been extending their CSR initiatives into their supply chains, human resources, and technological spheres. In regard to branding, it is common to see advertising on how a company is improving its community, the environment, or the lives of those who benefit from its products or services.

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Another major shift from the past is that companies are now being held accountable by their stakeholders for sustainability. Sustainability is the idea that companies must put back into the environment those resources it has taken out. Sustainable practice of business means leaving no negative impact on society. As the sustainability movement in business matures, companies are being pressured to measure their results based on a triple bottom line. The triple bottom line is an accounting method for companies to measure their performance on three dimensions: social impact, financial impact, and environmental impact.

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

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[u08s1] Unit 08 Study 1

Studies

Readings

Case Study

Read the following case study, which will be the foundation for the assignment in this unit:

• • Hoffman, A. (2015). Vodafone Egypt and the Arab Spring: When government and business collide. Boston MA: Harvard Business School Publishing.

Use the Capella library to read the following. These articles present research and information on CSR and sustainability:

• • Beinhocker, E., & Hanauer, N. (2014). Redefining capitalism. Mckinsey Quarterly, 3, 160–169.
  • Ticktin, M. (2012). Introduction: Human rights and global corporations. Social Research, 79(4), 1017–1021, 1085.
  • Preuss, L., Barkemeyer, R., & Glavas, A. (2016). Corporate social responsibility in developing country multinationals: Identifying company and country-level influences. Business Ethics Quarterly, 26(3), 347–378.
  • Leisinger, K. M. (2015). Corporate responsibility in a world of cultural diversity and pluralism of values. Journal of International Business Ethics, 8(2), 9–31, 66.
  • Maon, F., & Lindgreen, A. (2015). Reclaiming the child left behind: The case for corporate cultural responsibility [PDF]. Journal of Business Ethics, 130(4), 755–766.
  • Griffiths, A. (2003). Building corporate sustainability. Ecos, 115, 19.
  • Hsieh, N. (2015). Should business have human rights obligations?. Journal of Human Rights, 14(2), 218–236.

Learning Components

This activity will help you achieve the following learning components:

• • Research the concept of corporate social responsibility.
  • Determine the role of corporate social responsibility in a global business environment.
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[u08a1] Unit 08 Assignment 1

Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethics

Preparation

This assignment is based on the Hoffman’s 2015 case study, Vodafone Egypt and the Arab Spring: When Government and Business Collide.

Complete the following:

• • Review the assigned readings from the previous units and reflect on the strengths, weaknesses, and issues with each major theory and how they may impact the issues presented in the case study.
  • Conduct your own research in the Capella library to locate additional resources to support your work in this assignment.

Instructions

After reading the Hoffman case study, complete the following in 4–5 pages:

• • Analyze the ethical dilemma presented in the case study.

• • • Should corporations influence public policy?
    • How should a corporation respond when a government request conflicts with business strategy?
  • Evaluate the role of CSR in a politically unstable setting.

• • • How are corporations and politics interconnected?
    • What is the responsibility of corporations when it comes to human rights?
    • Is it possible to find a resolution when a crisis situation threatens the bottom line of a multinational corporation?
  • Recommend a course of action that you would take if you were faced with this challenge.

• • • Support your recommendation with your framework, ethical theories, and principles.

Additional Requirements

Your assignment should meet the following requirements:

• • Written communication: Your assignment should demonstrate sound critical thinking and research skills, as well as doctoral-level writing skills.
  • Length: 4–5 double-spaced pages, not including the title page, reference page, or appendices.
  • References: A minimum of five scholarly resources, of which at least three must be from your own research. Be sure that your resources are recent (within the last 3–5 years) and appropriate.
  • APA format: Follow current APA guidelines for formatting in-text citations and references.
  • Font and font size: Times New Roman, 12 point.

Note: Your instructor may also use the Writing Feedback Tool to provide feedback on your writing. In the tool, click the linked resources for helpful writing information.

Resources

• • Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethics Scoring Guide.
  • Writing Feedback Tool.
  • APA Style and Format.
  • Vodafone Egypt and the Arab Spring: When government and business collide.
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[u08d1] Unit 08 Discussion 1

Corporate Obligation

In your post, address the following:

• • What is an organization’s obligation when it comes to human rights?
  • What ethical framework did you use to arrive at your response?

Support your position with references to the readings in this unit and your own research. Be sure you follow current APA guidelines for citations and references.

Response Guidelines

Engage in a conversational dialogue with at least two of your peers. This should be an exchange of ideas and experiences that add to each other’s work. Ask questions, seek clarification, and, as appropriate, challenge claims. You are encouraged to participate in an ongoing dialogue.