Campany Social Responsibility

企業社會責任（Corporate Social Responsibility，簡稱CSR）
Leading companies globally have shown that when CSR is undertaken strategically it can have significant benefits to the company including building business, people and reputation.
Corporate social responsibility is not only important for the companies themselves but also beneficial to the social communities and the environment. The reason is that in order to achieve CSR, companies have to consider the interests of society by taking the responsiblity for the impact of their activities on customers, suppliers, employees, shareholders, communities, and other stakeholders, as well as the environment. This obligation is seen to extend beyond the statutory obligation to comply with legislation and sees organizations voluntarily taking steps to improve quality of life for employees and their families as well as their local community and society at large.
Examples:
1. Provide equal opportunities in recruitment, with no discrimination based on gender, age or race; adhere to employment regulations on working hours, remunerations, fringe benefits, etc.
2. Protect the rights of employees, such as freedom of association and right to collective bargaining; prohibit inhumane treatment of employees, such as child labour, forced labour, discrimination, interference, and abuse.
3. Fulfill the required standards of health and safety, such as regulations on occupational safety facilities and the working environment.
4. Care for the holistic and personal development of employees, by encouraging professional development, providing training courses, and arranging community activities to promote and protect the health and welfare of staff.
5. Observe requirements of environmental management.
7. Encourage and support employees’ participation in community work.

圖片參考：http://tw.yimg.com/i/tw/ugc/rte/smiley_1.gif
peace

In short, the Government is responsible for maintainng a healthy environment for its citizens. The emphasis for corporate social responsibility merely address the impotence of government to enforce legislation in providing a suitable environment for its inhabitants. The enforcement of corporate social responsibility therefore should not be on a voluntary basis. If the living condition deteriorates, people and investors may leave the place for a better living environment.

It may be a good idea to hold companies socially responsible, but in really it is not possible as companies exist solely to make profit in capitalism. They are only responsible for their share holders. Those companies who claim they have already taken actions to take care of the society is misleading. e.g. McDonald's includes more low-calory food in their menu only for the purpose of consumer demand and marketing. Not that they actually care about the health of the citizens. No company would like to spend additional cost to take care the enviroment, their employees, the community because in doing so, they cannot survive in this globally competitive market. In addition the share holders and consumers would not allow it because shareholders get less profit and consumers are reluctant to pay higher price for their purchase. Don't forget you are also a share-holder ( if you own stocks) and a consumer too. You see !!!