Understanding the Role of Social Responsibility in Corporate Citizenship

Understanding the Role of Social Responsibility in Corporate CitizenshipEvery company's marketing plan is an attempt to appeal to a socially conscious consumer who believes that by using a particular product or service they can help a socially or environmentally conscious cause. The social issue of the day, however, may be quite different from that of the past. Here are some examples:Does corporate involvement in professional female soccer players have a positive impact on women's and girls' rights? Will male athletes be subjected to sexist comments if the team wins a trophy? These are interesting questions and may be difficult to answer since the culture of professional sports is not necessarily a reflection of society as a whole. If corporate involvement in the National Women's Soccer League makes women's and girls' rights a higher priority, it will have a positive impact on all of society.Are there other social issues that should be considered in relation to humanitarian crises? T he fact that child sex trafficking is a global problem should be reason enough for companies to consider their efforts in this area. Companies must take the issue of human trafficking into consideration when deciding whether to participate in a humanitarian project.Healthcare professionals are becoming increasingly concerned about the ability of medical researchers to protect patients against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. Is there a way for medical professionals to make their voices heard about this issue? Health organizations and drug companies are becoming more vocal about the dangers of the human papillomavirus, the virus that causes cervical cancer. As part of a campaign to have the world's leaders to develop and enforce standards for HIV and AIDS testing, health care professionals are becoming more proactive in their campaigns.Are there any areas where a corporate organization could choose to use their influence to help protect the environment? The Global Corpora te Citizenship Index (GCCI) recognizes eight socially responsible behaviors for corporate leaders and their boards. These behaviors include being socially responsible with suppliers, employees, shareholders, clients, the community, the environment, the public, workers, and society in general.How does a company demonstrate responsibility behavior? A company must develop a specific set of standards, policies, and objectives for its own operations and those of its suppliers, associates, clients, and employees. Companies must educate their employees about these issues and get their partners and customers to participate in these initiatives.The ethical implications of the standards and objectives outlined by GCCI include things like protecting the environment, protecting the workers, meeting moral obligations, and creating a company that contributes positively to society. Companies may be eligible for awards such as the Corporate Governance Award and the Corporate Responsibility Award, w hich recognize the company's commitment to ethical practices.In short, corporate citizenship can mean many different things to different people. It can mean a commitment to social justice, or it can mean a commitment to helping customers in the development of products. The point is that no matter what the issue, it is important for companies to understand that social responsibility is a critical part of their corporate structure.