Major Research Project on Mapping Social Work Perspectives in Corporate Social Responsibility

Dr K Hemalatha

Associate Professor

Department of Social Work

CHRIST (Deemed to be University)

Bangalore – 560029

 

 

Abstract:

 

The present study proposes to examine the Social Work Perspectives found in Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives. To carry out the study the researchers sampled thirty companies from the public and private sectors. The areas delineated for the study are those widely studied by social workers within their domain context. Internal CSR looks at the efforts made by the corporations to address issues related to the employees as stakeholders. Similarly the efforts made by the companies towards environmental sustainability were also studied both within the organisation and outside it. The initiatives taken by companies to work with communities around which they operate is also included.

 

The four dimensions of CSR as explained by Carroll (1979) were studied by the researchers. The participating companies ranked the legal and ethical dimensions higher than the other dimensions. In the companies which participated the mention of CSR in vision and mission statements is found to a larger extent. CSR issues are taken up at board meetings, key individuals are being made responsible for CSR, and CSR concerns are reflected in the processes of the company. More public sector companies have chosen CSR related certifications when compared to the private companies. Internal CSR especially those involving employees were studied. The study looks at diversity management, gender equality, training and development, work place safety, grievance management, conflict resolution processes, workers participation in management, work-life balance, human rights in organisations and employee welfare mechanisms and benefits.

 

When it came to sustainability issues the major findings were 80 percent of companies both in the manufacturing and non manufacturing sectors have adopted energy saving devices. Most of them are using renewable energy sources. But around 31.6 percent of the manufacturing companies have said that emissions for their company contain green house gases and ozone depleting substances.

 

When the company policies towards Community development initiatives were studied, most companies believe the companies plan and execute the projects. Both public sector and private sector companies also believe in partnering with NGOs primarily for the implementation of the project. Companies also take the expertise of community development experts to successfully complete the projects. From the different kinds of projects studied most of the companies have preferred health related projects, education projects and rural and agrarian projects. This is true of both public and private sector companies.

 

Year of Publication: June 2014

ISBN:  978-93-82305-46-0

Major Research Project: Vol 6

Pages :    xii, 131

Price: available on request

Funded by Centre for Research-Projects-CHRIST (Deemed to be University)

Published by Centre for Publications, CHRIST (Deemed to be University)