Comments on: The Sharp End of CSR

By: merchantsolutions

merchantsolutions — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 04:08:02 +0000

Greed by large companies…

By: Chris Milton

Chris Milton — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 08:47:10 +0000

Thanks for the comments everyone, some wonderful points made all round! In general, I think the example of mobile phones really brings home how much our business and personal lives are founded on some very questionable practices (to out it mildly).

To pick up on a couple of :

@S.Smith CSR=”corporate social responsibility”, Steven, a convenient hook which many (myself included) hang their own opinions on how business should operate on. Some will include environmental issues in CSR, some will not.

@Jim McClellan the issue of how small businesses deal with CSR is a very valuable and pertinent one; many of the leading standards are simply out of the financial reach of small enterprises. Naturally the article was targetted and muh larger enterprises but this does not mean smaller enterprises should not make responsible business decisions as well.

@Alex Radway I agree, the contract nexus argument only works if consumers are fully informed but (alot like politics) most don’t want to be that fully engaged. However I’m always a little edgy about “enforcement”: surely once something is enforced it is no longer genuine or authentic?

By: Alex Radway

Alex Radway — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:12:01 +0000

Although, I am no longer surprised to read about such goings on, I have yet to develop a thick enough skin to protect me from the hurt such revelations engender. I appreciate that people living in desperate situations are driven to terrible acts. However, ignorance and avoidance by wealthy individuals and organisations is almost as disturbing as conscious complicity.

I recently spoke with someone who fervently believed in the nexus of contracts perspective and felt that corporations only did what customers demanded. I disagree. Even so, if he was correct, I feel most customers do not know HOW the corps. go about meeting demand. Unless the customers are informed they cannot be held solely responsible. And it appears many, many are invested in maintaining consumer ignorance.

Blood diamonds, sweat-shop and child labour, toxic floristry, mobile phones and arms etc. Sometimes I struggle simply to read about such goings on, but I also acknowledge the fact that blowing the lid on systemic abuse and corruption is the beginning of the only way to address the issues and move towards anything verging on authentic, enforceable, holistic CSR, from concept to consumer.

By: cat dozer

cat dozer — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 08:00:41 +0000

Greed by large companies. as long as the consumer doesn’t realize where or how they get their product.

By: Jim McClellan

Jim McClellan — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 01:59:06 +0000

Obviously, this sounds like a terrific strategy, but the problem is that, even in my small business, there would be no end. What about the suppliers’ suppliers’ suppliers? No matter what his or her intentions, ultimately a CEO is responsible for making a profit, protecting shareholders and securing the jobs of the folks who work for the company.

Don’t get me wrong, I agree that corporations should give a high priority to social responsibility, but if the bar is always moved higher or further away, there will be a point where stockholders (including pension funds, 401Ks, etc.) will revolt or the companies will go out of business.