Preview

International Conference on Technology and Business Management

Powerful Essays
Open Document
Open Document
9103 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
International Conference on Technology and Business Management
International Conference on Technology and Business Management

March 28-30, 2011

Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact of CSR Practices in the United Arab Emirates
Zainab Qasim Pushkala Muralidharan zainab.qasim@gmail.com pushkala@bitsdubai.com BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus, Dubai Ganesan Ramaswamy gramaswamy@ksu.edu.sa King Saud University, Riyadh 1. Introduction
In the last twenty years, a vast number of changes have taken place in relationships maintained by a company with the state and society. No longer does a company continue to act as independent entity regardless of the public interest and welfare of the society and its effect on the environment. The growth of the relationship between a company and the society has been a slow transformation from just a humanitarian coexistence to a point where the interest of stakeholders and society is increasingly becoming of prime importance. Organizations are beginning to realize the fact that in order to stay ahead in the business and gain strategic benefits, it is important to practice responsible business etiquettes. The kind of competition companies’ face today and the wave of globalization have drastically changed the business environment in the past few years. Globalization has compelled organizations to expand their boundaries from their country of origin to other rapidly developing markets in other parts of the world. In order to be successful in their attempt towards globalization companies have realized that they need to implement clearly defined business practices with a well-defined focus on public interests and the environment. Also, in some of the markets across the world, since the government still holds the key due to the rules and regulations set by it, the government would be naturally inclined to prefer companies which take care of the interest of all the stakeholders. Lastly, organizations across the world have begun to realize the importance of intangible assets, i.e. be it brand name or



References: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Alberto Aragon-Correa J. and Sharma S., "A Contingent Resource-Based View of Proactive Corporate Environmental Strategy," Academy of Management Review, January 2003, pp. 71-88. Aston A. and Helm B., "Green Culture, Clean Strategies," BusinessWeek, December 12, 2005, p. 64. Christmann P. and Taylor G., "Globalization and the Environment: Strategies for International Voluntary Environmental Initiatives," Academy of Management Executive, August 2002, pp. 121-135. ‘CSR Al Youm’, Newsletter of Dubai Chamber of Commerce, Edition 1, 2 & 3, October 2007. Christine A. Mallin Corporate Social Responsibility: a case study approach, Edward Elgar Publishing Ltd. 2009, page 260. William B. Werther and David Chandler, Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility, Sage Publications 2006. CSR in the UAE http://www.creatingsharedvalue.org/post/2010/02/24/CSR-in-the-United-ArabEmirates.aspx 119 International Conference on Technology and Business Management March 28-30, 2011 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. CSR : An Exploratory Study in the UAE, SAM Advanced Management Journal:2007 Britannica Online Encyclopedia - http://www.britannica.com/bps/additionalcontent/18/28084711/CorporateSocial-Responsibility-An-Exploratory-Study-in-the-United-Arab-Emirates Masdar City - http://www.masdarcity.ae/en/index.aspx CSR Project Executive Summary http://www.emiratesfoundation.ae/Documents/Publications/CSRProjectEXSummary.pdf Dubai Municipality Portal - http://login.dm.gov.ae/wps/portal/MyHomeEN Dulsco - http://www.dulsco.com/Default/PageIn.aspx?pref=WMS_Waste Clean Middle East Magazine - http://www.cleanmiddleeast.ae/articles/1/mobile-recycling-initiativelaunched-in-dubai.html Emaar Properties - www.ameinfo.com/162565.html HP - http://www.csrmiddleeast.org/haber.php?haber_id=107 Jotun Norge http://www.jotun.com/www/20020059.nsf/viewUNID/6652D4D1F29D620D4425752E0032D627?Ope nDocument&r=2 eHosting Datafort - http://www.ehdf.com/ehosting-datafort-launches-two-csr-initiatives.html Al Ghandi Electronics News - http://www.alghandielectronics.com/NewsReader.asp?NewsID=39 ACSRN - http://www.arabiacsrnetwork.com/acsrn.html Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Governance in the United Arab Emirates – an executive summary by Dr. Belaid Rattab, Dr. Anis Ben Brik, Prof. Kamal Mellahi http://www.emiratesfoundation.ae http://gulfnews.com/business/economy/new-organisation-to-promote-corporate-social-responsibility, dated July 3, 2006 DAFZA - http://www.dubaided.gov.ae/ShareBestPractice2010/dafz_profile.html ENOC - www.enoc.com/ENOCWebsite/resources/home/section.xml http://gulftoday.ae/portal/ dated Nov 4, 2010 ENOC - http://www.arabianoilandgas.com/article-7766-enoc-highlights-importance-of-csr ENOC - http://uae.superbrandsmena.com/images/Spreads/ENOC%2024-04-10.pdf CSR Definitions - http://www.mallenbaker.net/csr/definition.php Dubai Chamber Of Commerce - http://www.csr360gpn.org/partners/profile/centre-for-responsiblebusiness-dubai-chamber-of-commerce-and-industry 120

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Powerful Essays

    In the other hand companies have to limit the excess damage on the environment, and help people in the economic development this is a way of behaving ethically in a business, cooperate with loyal spirit, ethical values, global measures and develop a general positive impact of the business on the society. when a company choose to be socially responsible they better be prepared to go through some difficulties and critics about the way they operate, and the goals they want to achieve and must not forget the main purpose of the business which is making profit,…

    • 1797 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Best Essays

    In global markets, modern corporates have significant power to exercise a positive influence in the countries, where they buy goods and services from global suppliers in bulk. Recognising this influence is the first step to understand the contribution of the modern corporates in developing countries’ economies and in turn their self-benefit. As being giant firms at one end of the buying chain with the cost reduction advantage, they shouldn 't be reluctant of getting involved and operate with the suppliers to improve working conditions and comply with the ethical trading regulations. Business Corporations should also think and take responsibility for the environment around them. Taking this responsibility is the first step to recognize Corporate Social Responsibility. Corporate Social responsibility is when a business monitors and ensures its active compliance with the spirit of the law and ethical standards. It is a process with the aim to embrace responsibility for the company 's actions and encourage a positive impact through its activities on the environment, consumers, employees, communities, stakeholders and all other members of the public sphere. The concept of CSR is well explained by Gordan Brown, Chancellor of Exchequer, that in this era Corporate Social Responsibility goes far beyond the old trend of the past (donating money to a good cause at the end of the year) And is now an all year round responsibility the companies accept for the environment around them. To provide best working practices, the engagement in local communities and for their recognition that brand name does not only depend on quality, price and uniqueness but how they interact with companies’ workforce, community and the environment.…

    • 2128 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Primark's Irresponsibility

    • 2638 Words
    • 11 Pages

    Many companies fail to imply a good effective CSR to a business and this can have an overall effect on the company’s process. CSR is basically for a company to have an overall positive impact on the environment, consumers, employees, stakeholders and communities. I will be discussing and implying sources and concept to my chosen company Primark and discuss where they failed to add CSR to their company. A good use of CSR in a company can be the fulfilment of social or environmental goals, as opposed to a business that tries to achieve its financial goals while minimizing any negative impact on society or the environment. These businesses are called Social Enterprises.…

    • 2638 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Corporate social responsibility (CSR) refers to open and accountable business actions based on respect for people, community/society and the broader environment. It involves businesses doing more than just complying with the laws and regulations. All businesses these days recognise their role in environmental sustainability, ensuring that resources are used correctly so that they are obtainable to future generations. A business that fails to be seen to do the correct thing for the environment will lose customers. Environmental responsiveness has created new business opportunities for some entrepreneurs and allows other business increase a competitive advantage.…

    • 700 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The business environment is never stable. It experiences changes that are constant and the companies need to be dynamic in order to adapt itself to the changing environment. The business leaders now have more social responsibilities on their shoulders than they had only 20 years ago. With the rapid growth in technology, the activities of any business are becoming more and more transparent and hence it is no longer possible for businesses to ignore externalities. As the impacts of business on the environment, on society, and on individuals became too substantial to ignore in many realms, and cheaper and easier ways to measure those impacts were devised, the rules of doing business shifted. Considerations that hadn’t previously complicated the plans of corporate leaders have now started getting factored in.…

    • 2433 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Best Essays

    Should Businesses Go Green

    • 2589 Words
    • 11 Pages

    Recently, environmental issues have converted into a major concern on a global scope leading to economic instabilities; these issues range from preservation and energy use, to deforestation and water shortage. (Videen, 2011) As a result, a phenomenon that has appeared over 20 years, “Green Movement”, has become a center of the discussion. (Fok, 2012) The term “Green” became popular in the context of describing the environmental conscious company, which is concerned primarily with pursuing business practices that would help to ensure long-term sustainability. The concept of sustainable development has been formalized and stabilized over decades; United Nations defined it as “development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generation to meet their own needs”. (UN DESA, 1987) Constant social and political attention to these matters encourages firms to sustain awareness about externalities their operating activities have on the environment, and whether their resource management decisions are viable in the long-run. Social permission theory also challenges to prove the moral foundations for business stakeholders. It implies that a business is not autonomous entity. The behavior of the businesses is legitimized by the social norms of their founder-society; thereby, society has ultimate control over the businesses’ moral obligations and responsibilities. (Hussain, 1999) Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to argue that businesses do have a moral responsibility to the society, which, in fact, forces them to go green. Moreover, in today’s rapidly growing economy, businesses are expected to fully understand that the resources available for future generation are greatly affected by their actions.…

    • 2589 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Every company’s activities that lead it to success doors is some how beneficial for the society as these activities not only opens the doors of employment in the society as well as provide a technological growth. The term that is normally used for refereeing the responsibilities of a business towards the society is known as Social Responsibility (Steiner & Steiner, 2005). Social responsibility is a tool for companies to build sales, develop the workforce, boost enthusiasm and innovation, enhance trust in an enterprise and increase a company’s reputation and standing. It also helps the company to pursue responsible business practices that makes a company more competitive.…

    • 486 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    As globalization continues, the earth 's natural processes transform local problems into international issues along with the development of international commercial activities. Few communities are being left untouched by major environmental issues and social problems. As one of the most active and influential elements of the human society, the business world has been required, for several decades, to shoulder more responsibility by their consumers and society in general. The concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) draws more and more attention from all sectors of society, and is considered as an issue that we cannot afford to ignore.…

    • 5717 Words
    • 23 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    In understanding the subject of social responsibility in business, there are many varying views and theories presented. The argument, at the extremes, is one that is purely economic in nature and the other that requires corporation’s responsibility to society. Today society demands social responsiveness of businesses in the marketplace. A businesses’ failure to act socially or ethically responsible, in some cases, could form the foundation for its own peril. My paper attempts to define social responsibility, discuss views and theories, and provide case examples where businesses respond to situations in the global marketplace. The argument that corporation’s responsibility to shareholders to maximize profits as a sole objective is no longer acceptable by society. The purely economic view of the issue will not suffice. Businesses will always seek to maximize profits, but companies are increasingly aware that organizational values and social responsiveness play to the very heart of their goals in the pursuit of profits.…

    • 3112 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Sustainability

    • 680 Words
    • 2 Pages

    To make business, industry, nation, and the world sustainable, we have to consider the balance between People, Planet, and Profit, (or Social, Environment, and Economic) when making any decision, not for today or tomorrow, but for the future. However, most of the cases in real life, businesses see economic return as a must with highest priority, then legal requirements as something it has to do, but ethical conduct and discretionary responsibility as something they might do if they can or want to. However, a lack of ethical and social responsibility may result in increased government regulations, which could, in return, reduce company’s efficiency and flexibility.…

    • 680 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    A growing body of evidence asserts that corporations can do well by doing good. Well-known companies have already proven that they can differentiate their brands and reputations, as well as their products and services, if they take responsibility for the well-being of the societies and environments…

    • 792 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Csr Case Study

    • 6604 Words
    • 27 Pages

    Abstract: Starting from the times of barter system to today’s modern era of plastic money, the mankind has trodden a remarkably long path. Undoubtedly “profitability” has always been the driving force and an undercurrent behind all this development; but as every coin has two facets; growing cut throat competition and business rivalries started taking heavy toll on the quality, transparency, environment and the society in general endangering the peaceful coexistence of business and society. The businesses houses started realizing that they would have to rise over and above the profitability and take care of all those associated with their survival in the society directly or indirectly. This realization resulted into the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). This research paper moves around developing an understanding about the corporate social responsibility (CSR), delving into its concept and finding out its scope taking the case study of the TATA Group under Mr. Ratan Tata who has exemplified the sense of responsibility towards the upliftment of common masses and protection of the environment and development of the nation. Keywords: Corporate citizenship, Corporate social responsibility, Employee, Productivity, Profitability, Society, Stakeholders. I. Introduction…

    • 6604 Words
    • 27 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The above ethical issues we face will have an effect on many stakeholders around the globe as well as the nature. Being an environment friendly company, there are many obligations that company has to fulfil in order to achieve its motto of sustainable survival. The company’s image of environment protection would reach new heights as it has stretched its arms on a global level to maintain its…

    • 1063 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Manfold Toy Essay

    • 1267 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The debate regarding the role of business in society has persisted over decades. Given the increase in corporate scandals and anti-globalization movements, business corporations are being increasingly pressured to engage in activities or conditions that relate to the company’s core operations. The Increasing institutional pressures to behave as good citizens coupled with the relentless pressure from financial markets to perform, poses a challenge for managerial decision making.…

    • 1267 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Busines Ethics

    • 1794 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Nowadays in the era of economic relations and international trade business ethics plays a very important role. It is of vital importance at any level of activity: corporate, state or international. Questions of corporate social responsibility and business ethics are engaging business more and more - both domestically and internationally (Sims 2006). This tendency is emphasized by outrageous cases in international trade illustrated by violating rules of ethical behavior. Rules and regulations on ethics and behavior are affected unavoidably by basic values about the goal of company in the community. However, some organization members think the only social goal of a company is to gain benefit. On the other hand, other members consider that that the goal of a company is much wider than one of gaining profit and that all those participants who are influenced by the firm 's activity - shareholders, staff, consumers, suppliers, the domestic society, babies (in particular concerning environmental protection) - have a reasonable concern and commitment in the corporate activity. Many of these commitments are important to a company whether it is domestic or international in its activity. Nevertheless, international companies face specific difficulties and requirements and above those operating only in local market.…

    • 1794 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Powerful Essays