ABSTRACT
This research work focused entirely on the effect of Social Responsibility on organizational effectiveness. This study however, shows that investing in CSR initiatives brings about employees’ commitment and organizational survival. It shows the importance of CSR to Human Resources Management, the Risk of HR’s involvement in implementing CSR initiative and some theories and models were used for further explanation. Academy Press Pic was used as a case study of which 30% of their staff was randomly selected as my sample, questionnaires were given and completed by them. Hence, the major instruments used in the collection of information for this research work were questionnaires and interviews. The data obtained were subjected to analysis through the use of percentage and Chi-square to calculate the findings. Recommendations were made based on the findings which will go a long way in ensuring the effectiveness of an organization if implemented.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY
As recent as a decade ago, many companies viewed business ethics only in terms of administrative compliance with legal standards and adherence to internal rules and regulations. Today the situation is different. Attention to business ethics and social initiative are on increase across the world and many companies realize that in order to succeed, they must earn the respect and confidence of their customers and other stakeholders. Like never before, corporations are being asked, encouraged and prodded to improve their business practices to emphasize legal and ethical behaviour, through their employees. Companies, Professional firms, government parastatals and individuals alike, are being held increasingly accountable for their actions, as demand grows for higher standards of Social Responsibility.
Social Responsibility is an ethical or ideological theory that an entity whether it is a Government Corporation, Organization or Individual is accountable to the society. This responsibility can be ‘negative’ in that it is a responsibility to refrain from acting (resistance stance) or it can be ‘positive’, meaning there is a responsibility to act (proactive stance). While primarily associated with business and governmental practices, activist groups and local communities can also be associated with social responsibility, not only business entities.
Nevertheless, the practice of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) will be the focus of this study and its effect on organizational effectiveness will be thoroughly examined. Corporate social responsibility simply means eliminating corrupt, irresponsible or unethical behaviour that might bring harm to the business or company, its people and most especially, the environment before the behaviour is being portrayed.
The following are some simple definitions of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
It is the responsibility to profitably serve employees and customers in an ethical and lawful manner.
It is an organization’s obligation to maximize its positive impact and minimize its negative impact on society.
It is the concern for the consequences of an institution’s or a person’s act as its might affect the interests of others including the environment and involuntary customers.
Also, it is a concept that businesses should be actively concerned with the welfare of society at large.
It is a business’s collective code of ethical behaviour towards the environment, its customers, its employees and its investors.
It is the responsibility of a responsible agent who chooses to participate in a society and acquire the benefits thereof.
According to International Standardization for Organisation (ISO), “CSR is the action of an organization to take responsibility for the impacts of its activities on the society and the environment, where this action; is consistent with the interests of the society and its sustainable development; is based on ethical behaviour, compliance with applicable law and inter-governmental instruments and; is integrated into the ongoing activities of the organization” (Drafted definition of Social Responsibility of ISO 26000).
In principle, the term CSR refers to the obligations of companies to society; more specifically, it refers to a company’s stakeholder and those affected by corporate policies and practices. Although, there is a CSR dichotomy between the “right thing to do” (normative case) and an “enlightened self-interest” (the business case), executives and companies’ reasoning as they relate to engaging in CSR will likely reflect a mixture of these (Smith 2003: 52-76). Also, CSR principle is concerned with the societal obligations of business which many organizations agree, but, the nature and scope of these obligations has been a subject of debate.
