Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Many organizations believe to retain competitive advantage they must engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR) by taking a stance on societal issues that emerge as a result of changing social norms rather than remaining neutral regarding these norms and issues. At times; however, some social norms conflict with the core values of an organization. In these instances, should decision makers align decisions to current social norms and societal issues or with the core values and strategic approach of the organization? Support position.
Sample Answer
Whether decision makers should align decisions to current social norms and societal issues or with the core values and strategic approach of the organization is a complex question with no easy answer. There are a number of factors to consider, including the specific social norm or issue at hand, the organization’s core values, and the potential impact on the organization’s reputation and bottom line.
In some cases, it may be in the best interest of the organization to align its decisions with current social norms and societal issues. This is especially true when the social norm or issue is widely supported by the public and is seen as being important. For example, many organizations have aligned their decisions with the social norm of environmental sustainability in recent years. This has helped them to improve their reputation with consumers and to attract new customers.