WiserTuesdays @ La Ruche

Dear Miora, James,

please contradict me if I am wrong. As far as I know a CEO is obliged, actually by law in most countries, to maximise the profits of the company he's running. Every activity, which could reduce the profit is forbidden. Where is the place of social responsibility in this context? I know one could argue that in the long term a socially quiet and engaging environment will also profit the economy. But why should that be something the companies take care off. They best know to make profits.

I always had the impression that Corporate Social Responsibility is a smokescreen by companies to prevent society of enforcing a framework for businesses leading to socially acceptable conditions. They say they are going to do it voluntarily anyhow. If they really accepted that, they could also agree to the framework beneficial to society enforced by laws created by the society and just make their possibly slightly reduced profits within this framework. This would leave them taking care of what they really know and create a society responsible of itself instead of begging for responsible behaviour of companies.

I hope for a contradictory view.

Martin

Warm welcome to the systems group Moira! La Ruche sounds brilliant.

Martin, CSR is Corporate Social Responsibility, a well-intentioned activity by businesses asking, "How can we benefit by reducing our impacts?". CSR would be a powerful force for change if it was more ambitious, "How can everyone benefit by arranging a world of net-positive impacts? And how can we help make that possible?" If anyone hears of companies with CSR that ambitious I'd be grateful to know.

James

I agree with my sub saharan friend that csr initiative would be very good for our region.

DEmba,

Belgium