Corporate Social Responsibility Case Study

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Essay 1: Corporate Social Responsibility and Controversial Industries Can controversial industries be genuinely socially responsible? It is often questioned whether firms in controversial industries can be genuinely socially responsible due to their supply of products and services which can be harmful to individuals and society. This essay will discuss the answer to this question by looking at what makes a company socially responsible and whether the engagement in corporate social responsibility can be considered genuine. “Controversial industries have been described as those which are related to products, services or concepts that for reasons of delicacy, decency, morality, or even fear, elicit reactions of distaste, disgust, offence …show more content…

The shared value is considered a meaningful benefit for society which also benefits the business. ‘It is thought to be considered socially responsible when companies take action to help lessen existing or adverse impacts of the business.’ For example an alcohol company should ensure they advertise drinking responsibly, or support or take action towards assisting alcohol addiction groups etc. ‘Whichever initiatives the company decides to proceed with, it should be ensured that both the social and business benefits are large and distinctive’ (Porter and Kramer, 2006, as cited in Lindorff, 2012). Business benefits largely include profit maximisation as it will still remain as the main business objective. Porter and Kramer (2006) stated “No business can solve all of society’s problems or bear the cost of doing so. Nor can any business meet the different value positions of a great range of groups and individuals” (Porter and Kramer, 2006, as cited in Lindorff, 2012). This further shows the importance of trying to find a balance or ‘shared value’ as it needs to be remembered that it is still a business at the end of the day and not everyone will have conflicting issues with the products and services being provided. An example of the shared value was …show more content…

The reason for this being that consumers will then resort to unregulated means of receiving them. This was discussed in the reading by Lindorff, using Australia as an example in regards to how although it would theoretically be the best option for abortion to of remained illegal in terms of harm minimisation, deaths would of continued to occur due to illegal abortions. Allowing them to be legal can actually be considered socially responsible as it is a greater alternative for society, despite what certain individuals/groups may believe. Therefore, controversial industries can be genuinely socially responsible. The discussions I have made in regards to what makes a company socially responsible and whether the engagement in corporate social responsibility can be considered genuine show that controversial industries can be genuinely socially responsible, however, there are always going to be individuals/groups who may perceive a company’s socially responsible actions as a more ‘sinister’ movement with ulterior

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