Corporate Social Responsibility

Introduction: this blog I will be explaining what corporate social responsibility is (CSR), then I will be identifying an organisation from my visit to the Eden Centre which shows an excellent demonstration of CRS in practise. Then I will go onto listing and explaining three examples of CSR in the company and what are the benefits to the company by using these initiatives. 

What is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)?

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) could be defined as the way in which an organisation should conduct itself within society, and the different views on what the business’s purpose is and how it should act responsibly. Social responsibilities arise from the interdependence of organisations, society and the environment. (Mullins, 2008)

The Body Shop:

On my visit to the Eden Centre I visited a number of different retail companies based within the High Street, in High Wycombe. The one that I consider demonstrated excellent CRS in practise was The Body Shop the reason was they claimed to be a business that is against animal testing and is environmentally friendly using its materials and resources efficiently. The Body Shop also runs a campaign on ‘Greenpeace International’, on promoting renewable energy.  The Body Shop also prides themselves as being different, global, and an ethical business that is still expanding.  The Body shops is against animal testing, support community trade, activate self esteem, defend human rights, and protects our Planet, therefore I consider that The Body Shop demonstrates excellent CRS within their business.

Examples of CRS The Body Shop:

1.       Against animal testing: The Body Shop is strongly against testing their products on animals, and has been the first in the cosmetics industry.

2.       Defend human rights: The Body Shop state that the people are the heart of their business, and they make every effort to treat them in a fair manner and respect their integrity.

3.       Support community trade: The Body Shop also take pride in their community trade programme, because they feel it makes the difference to the lives of farmers, producers and their communities. 

4.       Environmentally friendly:  The Body Shop feels the need to be proactive in the battle against climate change, as they are always seeking new way to improve their business practices and reducing their carbon footprint. Many of their stores refits are rolling out and that is how they believe they will improve their energy efficiently. Also new lighting and store signs have been trialled in hope to reduce the use of energy within their stores. Also The Body Shop provides energy-awareness training to all its employees, and  try to reduce the amount of waste by introducing recyclable plastic bottles, and replacing their carrier bags with 100% recyclable paper bags.

Benefits to The Body Shop:

1.       Protects organisation’s reputation: this would help protect The Body Shop’s reputation as a business, considering they are against animal testing, defends human rights, and supports community trade.

2.        Helps recruitment and retention:  this would make people aware of them and want to work for them as they are an ethical business that is strongly against animal testing and is environmentally friendly and therefore people may want to work for them knowing that they are a good company as they show excellent CRS in practise and take pride ensuring that their employees and customers come first and make sure they are environmentally friendly, against animal testing and supporting community trade.

3.       Builds credibility and trust with customers and employees; the organisation has been around for many years and value its customers by providing them with a rewards card that entitled them to 10% off its products and also a birthday gift, and employees benefits by they get their staff discount.

Conclusion: Overall corporate social responsible plays an important role in every business, it affects all areas of the business from finance to marketing and The Body Shop is one of the many businesses that use CRS practises within their business and that makes them an ethical business they also provide staff with energy-awareness training so that they are also aware of the impacts. The Body Shop claims that they are always thriving in their campaigns such as ‘Against Animal Testing’, they are well known for this along with their other campaigns and values. Also The Body shop campaign with Greenpeace International on promoting renewable energy, and also their commitment to environmental sustainability through investment in renewable energy, and they also fund energy efficiency projects around the world and encourage its consumers to recycle their packaging.

                                                                                                                                                             

References:

[1] Mullins. L, (2007) Management and Organisational Behaviour 8^th ed. Harlow: Prentice Hall 

[2] Simpson, M (2012) PowerPoint.

[3] Corporate Social Responsibility [Online]: Available From: http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/layer?topicId=1075408468 [Accessed3th Feb 2012]

[4] The Body Shop [Online] Available From: http://www.thebodyshop.com/_en/_ww/services/aboutus_history.aspx  [Accessed 3^rd Feb 2012]