AREA OF INTEREST Since its emergence in the American lexicon in the mid-twentieth century, the definition of “corporate social responsibility” (CSR) has been fluid, subjective, disputed, and ever-evolving. Some believe CSR can be achieved with purely profit-driven decisions that bolster the economy. Nobody can argue against the value of a strong and robust economy. While laudable, I argue this is only corporate responsibility. Others believe philanthropy and volunteerism define CSR. By donating a portion of their profits and spare time to worthy causes, some believe they fulfill their responsibility to help social projects. Nobody can argue against the value of new schools and clean streets. While laudable, I argue this is only corporate social generosity. Instead, I subscribe to the belief that CSR should be defined by the responsibility that corporations take for the social consequences of their actions and decisions. It is an honest recognition of the broad and deep global impacts created by the decisions made by corporations. It includes the steps they take to ensure positive outcomes for all those affected by their work, whether directly or indirectly so.
Corporate social responsibility should be defined by the responsibility that corporations take for the social consequences of their actions and decisions.
IRINA WONG
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MA SOCIAL DESIGN 2017
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Meaningful corporate social responsibility is not lip service, or a window dressing, nor does it maintain the status quo of conventional business workflows. The practices encompassed within this definition of CSR can be classified into three different theaters, each larger than the last: First is the internal theater. These are the practices germane to corporate employees. This includes worker happiness, pay equity, benefits, ethical leadership, and freedom of association. The next-largest theater focuses on the products and services offered by the corporation. Examples include: the product’s environmental footprint, social impact, investor alignment, and the quality of feedback channels available to customers. Finally, the largest theater concerns the community and even the world at large. These practices include: job creation, global supply chain impact, community well-being, local control and sourcing, and responsible investing and opportunities for them. Corporations, in all of their complexity of operations, often have broad, deep, and labyrinthine global influences. However, I believe CSR includes an understanding of the implications of their own impacts, especially if they are matters of life or death. In the event a corporation’s practices inadvertently rob someone of their survival - which is the very foundation of Maslow’s hierarchy of human needs - corporate social responsibility is the call for them to take steps to prevent that outcome and to build a new ecosystem where that outcome is unthinkable.
MARYLAND INSTITUTE COLLEGE OF ART
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