CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) also known as Corporate Conscience or Corporate Citizenship refers to the social responsibility of corporate houses to contribute towards the nation, society and environment by involving themselves in social and charitable causes apart from paying taxes.

CSR aims to
- Treat employees with equality and justice
- Operate ethically and with integrity
- Respect human rights
- Protect and sustain the environment
- Show care and concern for the communities they operate in.

CSR activities enhance the corporate citizenship profile of an organisation. CSR has led to better dialogue between private and non governmental bodies and thus led to partnerships an contributions made to the development of communities where the company operates.

Thus through corporate social responsibility the focus of the company is not only profit oriented but ensures that the company serves the interest of society and thus gives back to the community.

Examples of CSR

COMPANY CSR ACTIVITY
- Mahindra and Mahindra Tech Mahindra Foundation
- Wipro Azim Premji Foundation
- Godrej AIDS Awareness Programme
- Tata steel Healthcare and Employability Programme
- Microsoft (International) Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) emphasises CSR in the areas of human rights, labour, environment, consumer protection, fair competition, respect for national sovereignty and local communities. It is thus natural for CSR to emerge from ethical business practices.