Topic Question:

Learning Activity #1

When we look at Corporate Social Responsibility, think about some of the companies you frequent. When looking at these companies, do they put forth a message that they are socially responsible? If so, how? Do you feel that they are doing so to "help their fellow man", or simply to make a profit? Support your answer

Classmate Response:Kohls is a large company that values CSR through its programs allowing employees to volunteer at local businesses while being paid (Kohls Corporation, 2017). Through this initiative, not only do community businesses and charities benefit, but the employees who participate are also an example to their families. Additionally, Kohls is taking steps to systematically retrofit stores to be ENERGY STAR certified, with a goal to have 1000 stores qualify for this rating (Kohls Corporation, 2017).

JC Penney is another large company realizing the value of CSR. Through its recent report on CSR, JC Penney has a goal of recycling 85% of its waste by 2010, and is currently over the 80% mark (GlobeNewswire News Room, 2017). The company also allows its employees volunteer hours and has a policy surrounding responsible and ethical sourcing of its textile products (GlobeNewswire News Room, 2017).

These companies recognize the value of CSR to promote a healthy work environment and facility that reduce global footprints with energy efficiency and recycling. Also, allowing employees to volunteer, and still be paid, shows that the employees are valued, promoting social responsibility to the employees and their families through this generous benefit. In turn, the companies that receive the volunteer hours are provided value. This goodwill exceeds the cost to Kohls and JC Penney, and will be a good return on investment with stakeholders (Birkinshaw, Foss and Lindenberg, 2014, p.52). More profit may follow with better employee retention and commitment, as well as community engagement and respect for the company policies.

Question: If these companies chose or otherwise decided to act in a different manner, how might their overall employer/customer relationships be effected?

My reponse: In the given situations, the companies like Kohls and JC Penney encourage their employees to carry out the CSR activities of the company by paying them while taking part in CSR activities. Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR activities of the company are those activities that are take up to ensure sustainable development. This is done by providing social, economic and environmental benefits to the stakeholders. A company can perform CSR activities through its employees. So it is necessary to encourage the employees to work on behalf of the company for the welfare of the stakeholders. They can be encouraged only when the employees are getting a benefit by performing the activity. The benefit here is the salary of the employee for performing CSR activities. The above mentioned companies believe that the CSR activities are a part of their business activities, hence they provide the salary to their employees for performing the CSR activities. If the practice was not like this i.e. the company does not pay any salary to its employees for the days on which the employees volunteer for CSR activities, then the employees will not be doing their CSR duty wholeheartedly. When the CSR activity is not done wholeheartedly then the results of the CSR activity will also not be up to expectations. Moreover, an enthusiastic employee will encourage his/her family members also to participate in such activities. Thus, the reach of CSR will be more.

References:

Hood, J. (1998, November 01). Do Corporations Have Social Responsibilities? | John Hood. Retrieved November 17, 2017, from https://fee.org/articles/do-corporations-have-social-responsibilities/

Classmate reply I need an reply to this response:If Kohl's and JC Penney changed policies regarding CSR, their employees may be demotivated, and profits suffer. When employees are happy and feel like their employer cares about them and the community, performance on the job is better. Stockholders may also take note of the change in priorities, and sell their stock.

JC Penney has struggled a lot since it changed leadership in 2011. Adding more CSR goals would endear this company to its employees and stakeholders.

This is the Question I need an answer to:How can we compare the profits made by Kohl's who has positive CSR policies and procedures and those of a company such as Walmart, that is not known for their CSR, but still experiences massive profits?

Could you please provide me with assistance to answer Question that was asked and a reply to the classmate response.

Thanks in advance.