Social responsibility is an ethical or
ideology theory that business should dedicate to the benefits of their communities. (Tex-EASTile
2010) Social Responsibility is to balance the organization’s commitments to
groups and stakeholders such as customers, employees, investors, suppliers,
shareholders, government, and competitors, local and international communities
in society. (Elbert & Griffin 2010a) There are four approaches to social responsibility
that the companies can take obstructionist stance, defensive stance,
accommodative stance or proactive stance. (Elbert & Griffin 2010b)
Approaches
to Social Responsibility
1.
Obstructionist Stance
Companies that take obstructionist stance toward social responsibility
are companies that refuse to make social responsibility as an effort, making
profits is the most important aspect of its business, some may think that
obstructive business is immoral as they may pollute the environment and exploit
their employees. (Kanobi, n.d.b)
Nestle is one of the companies that involve in obstructionist stance
toward social responsibility.
The promotion of infant formula over breastfeeding by Nestle has led to health
problems and deaths among infants in less economically developed countries.(Wikipedia
n.d.) Nestle promote that their formula is much
more better than breast-feeding but the truth is breast milk is better than
formula because of the pure nutritional content in the breast milk. (ICMR 2003)
2. Defensive Stance
Companies that take defensive stance toward social responsibility are
companies that remain neutral. They think that profits are more important than
social responsibility. They will do everything by following the law to make
sure that others cannot take legal action against them but not more. (Kanobi,
n.d.b)
Camel, R.J. Reynolds and Philip Morris are companies that take defensive
stance. These companies place warnings on their tobacco’s packing, as this is
the law by the government. These companies will not put warnings on their
packing if there is no law in the country. They will just sell their products
without informing the customers about the risk involves the tobacco products. (littlechica 2011）
3.
Accommodative Stance
Companies that take accommodative stance toward social responsibility
are companies that belief that social responsibility is as important as
profits. The companies meet its legal and ethical requirement and remain open
why they take specific actions. (Kanobi, n.d.c)
Kellogg Company is one the companies that take accommodative stance
toward social responsibility. Kellogg Company makes their effort to reduce
energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and water use by 15to 20 percent from 2005
to 2015. They are also responsible in maintaining an ethical and transparent supply chain free of forced
labor, including slavery and human trafficking. (Kellogg 2013)
4.
Proactive Stance
Companies that take proactive stance toward social responsibility are
companies that make social responsibility a priority. These companies are willing to contribute to
the benefits of group and stakeholders. (Elbert & Griffin 2010c)
The Toro Company, Exmark Manufacturing and Dixon Industries Inc. are the
companies that take proactive stance. In early 2002, they recalled 62,000 commercial riding
mowers which had an exhaust
system problem and worked directly with their dealers, distributors and
customers to fix or replace the affected unit on the market. Toro Company
informed the customers that they can have their commercial riding mower fixed
free of charge. (Pondent n.d.a)
Kingfisher that is a British home improvement retailer is also one of
the companies that take proactive stance on green issues in 2007. The company
makes an effort on waste reduction and use timber which are certified by the
Forest Stewardship Council. Kingfisher has its policies on chemicals in 2007
that required its operating companies to identify chemicals in products and
remove them. (Pondent n.d.b)
Reference list :
- Elbert & Griffin, 2010a, Business Essentials, 8th edition, Prentice Hall, United State
- Elbert & Griffin, 2010b, Business Essentials, 8th edition, Prentice Hall, United State
- Elbert & Griffin, 2010c, Business Essentials, 8th edition, Prentice Hall, United State
- ICMR, 2003. Nestle's Social Irresponsibility in Developing Nations [Online] Available at: http://www.icmrindia.org/casestudies/catalogue/Business%20Ethics/Business%20Ethics%20-%20Nestle%20Social%20Irresponsibility%20in%20Developing%20Nations.htm#Nestl%E9's%20Socially%20Irresponsible%20Practices [Accessed 28 April 2013]
- Kanobi, n.d.c What Are the Four Basic Approaches to Social Responsibility? [Online] Available at: http://www.ehow.com/info_8254493_four-basic-approaches-social-responsibility.html [Accessed 27 April 2013]
- Kellogg, 2013. Our Commitments. [Online] Available at : http://crr.kelloggcompany.com/en_US/corporate-responsibility/overview/our-commitments.html [Accessed 29 April 2013]
- Littlechica, 2011. Three Stances. [Online] Available at: http://www.studymode.com/essays/Three-Stances-838626.html [Accessed 27 April 2013]
- Pondent, n.d.b Companies That Used Proactive Stance [Online] Available at http://www.ehow.com/list_7300790_companies-used-proactive-stance.html [Accessed 27 April 2013]
- Tex-EASTile, 2010. Social Responsibility. [Online] Available at: <http://www.texeastile.eu/glossary/social-responsibility> [Accessed 26 April 2013]
- Wikipedia, n.d. Nestle Boycott. [Online] Available at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nestlé_boycott [Accessed 28 April 2013]
