Corporate Social Resposibilities Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Corporate Social Resposibilities - Essay Example An intriguing observation regarding the ongoing debate about CSR reveals that the concept has been a topic of discussion for the past 75 years (Babiak 2013; p.35). This view postulates that scholars and analysts are yet to discover common ground on the concept which establishes the fact that corporate social responsibility still poses several questions and dilemmas which are yet to be resolved. Drawing from this understanding, the purpose of this essay is to analyze the factors and reasons which contribute towards the establishment of CSR as a contested concept. As stated previously, the contestability of the notion not only exists in the implementation and execution of the concept but is also observable in its foundations such as its meanings, significance and definitions. Henceforth, the scope of this essay focuses on the practice of CSR in its entirety and why the notion is termed as a contested concept. ... For example, while one organization may perceive the provisions of the concept in terms of its legal implications or liabilities, other businesses may view the stipulations of the concept in terms of ethical obligations or simply associate CSR with measures such as charity, donations and philanthropic efforts (Okoye 2009; p.613). The aforementioned example can be examined on the basis of the continuum of social responsibility strategies which outlines the degree of social responsibility on a scale of low to high. In accordance with this continuum the contestability of CSR can be comprehended by conducting a comparison between accommodation and proaction such that companies which initiate CSR strategies as a response to external forces supposedly perceive the concept as a legal obligation in accordance with the view presented by Okoye (2009; p.613) while, businesses following the strategy of proaction take the initiative of adopting a comprehensive framework of CSR by viewing the conc ept as a comprehensive measure which encompasses legal, social and ethical responsibility. The observations of this discussion are also reflected in the research which has been conducted by Shamir (2004; p.635) whose examination of the voluntary and self-reliant models of CSR provides a guideline for analyzing the factors which have contributed towards the establishment of CSR as a contested concept. Shamir (2004; p.635) understands that corporate actions for defining corporate social responsibility in recent years has been marked by a relentless effort â€Å"†¦to shape the notion of and practice of CSR as an essentially voluntary and nonenforceable issue.† This view postulates that organizations today hold the