The concept and practice of corporate social responsibility – the belief
that companies have an obligation to help actively maintain the health and
well-being of the communities in which they do business – has existed in the
United States since the early 1950s. However, over the past two decades, a
growing number of business leaders have come to view corporate social
responsibility as not only "the right thing to do" – a way to give back to
the communities where they have significant business interests – but as a
key business imperative which, if done strategically, will generate a
"win-win-win" situation for any company, its employees and the community.
Benefits to the Community
- Creates healthier communities by improving the overall quality of life
- Helps address/solve vital social problems
- Generates a renewed spirit of citizenship and civic pride
- Provides new talent and ideas to meet community needs
- Contributions increase the level and quality of community services
- Opens lines of communication among various segments of the community
- Strengthens the local economy
Benefits to the Employees
- Strengthens employees' organizational, leadership, communications,
financial management and decision-making skills
- Encourages teamwork
- Enables employees to develop new skills
- Creates a better quality of life where employees live and work
- Reduces stress and increases morale
- Expands networking within the company
- Increases employee awareness and interest in community issues
- Generates an increased sense of patriotism, citizenship and civic
pride
Benefits to the Company
- Bolsters image as a "Good Corporate Citizen" and builds goodwill
towards the company
- Increases employee morale, loyalty and productivity
- Creates teambuilding opportunities
- Improves communications and relations between management and workforce
- Generates recognition as a good place to work / "Employer of Choice"
- Enhances/increases employee recruitment and retention
- Creates ways to implement/address strategic business goals and
objectives
- Positively impacts profitability
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