A new video popped up on my Twitter feed last week. It’s quite a cute film made by the University of St Gallen, which sets out what Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is all about. If you’re new to the concept of CSR, then it’s definitely worth a watch as it sets out the key points in a way that’s easy to digest.
When people ask me about what I do - after I've fielded the usual question ‘so you work for a charity?’ - I often get the following comment: ‘that’s great, but isn't it a bit idealistic?’ And the answer, to a certain extent, is yes. What unites people in this field is that they are aspirational and passionate about changing the world for the better; they dare to dream. However, this is coupled with strong sense of realism. The ecomaginations and Plan As of this world are still far and few between and those of us close to the action know better than anyone how much work there is still to do. It’s a positive thing - as the video shows, we know where we want to go; we're just figuring out the best way to get there.
Just in case you don’t have time to watch the film, here is a summary of the key points. The language is a bit clunky but you’ll get the general idea:
Happy Watching!
When people ask me about what I do - after I've fielded the usual question ‘so you work for a charity?’ - I often get the following comment: ‘that’s great, but isn't it a bit idealistic?’ And the answer, to a certain extent, is yes. What unites people in this field is that they are aspirational and passionate about changing the world for the better; they dare to dream. However, this is coupled with strong sense of realism. The ecomaginations and Plan As of this world are still far and few between and those of us close to the action know better than anyone how much work there is still to do. It’s a positive thing - as the video shows, we know where we want to go; we're just figuring out the best way to get there.
Just in case you don’t have time to watch the film, here is a summary of the key points. The language is a bit clunky but you’ll get the general idea:
- CSR is based on the question of good business for a good society, today and tomorrow
- CSR is not charity. It is about the way a company earns its profits, not how it spends them
- It takes employees of integrity plus appropriate organizational structures to realize CSR. It is a matter of individual and institutional ethics
- Politics continue to play an important role but in a globalized world the effects of regulation can be limited, thus…
- Companies play an increasingly important role
- Soft laws are new governance mechanisms based on a company’s self commitments
- CSR has arrived in business practice and it’s necessary to support these developments professionally but also to provide critical perspectives with respect to them
Happy Watching!
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