Philip Morris Csr
1. Introduction
Corporate social responsibility (CSR, also called corporate responsibility, corporate citizenship, and responsible business) is an idea of considering the interests of society by corporations. Companies take responsibility for the impact of their actions on customers, suppliers, employees, shareholders, communities and other stakeholders, as well as the environment. This obligation is seen to extend beyond the statutory obligation to comply with legislation and sees organizations voluntarily taking further steps to improve the quality of life for employees and their families as well as for the local community and society at large1. Nowadays, CSR becomes more and more popular among big companies because it makes them able to be perceived in better light, by their customers. In current dense market, firms have to fight for the customer by offering something new or unique. They use CSR in order to create customers’ loyalty based on distinctive ethical values. On the other hand, many critics claim that the only reason why companies implement social projects is the benefit which they may generate by being perceived as socially aware entities.
Corporate social responsibility is very often put into place by firms operating on the markets that generate the biggest harms to the society. Such corporations want to increase their brand image in order not to lose their customers. A great example of such a market is tobacco industry, which is generally known as causing many problems to its customers.
1.1 U.S. Tobacco Industry2
In 1990s, tobacco was a business which generated one of the biggest profits, however, it was a business which aroused a great deal of contraventions. Five companies dominated American tobacco market. The leader of the market was Philip Morris Companies, Inc., which was also the largest cigarettes maker in the world, controlled almost the half of U.S tobacco market. It was also the owner of Marlboro, which was the world’s
Corporate social responsibility (CSR, also called corporate responsibility, corporate citizenship, and responsible business) is an idea of considering the interests of society by corporations. Companies take responsibility for the impact of their actions on customers, suppliers, employees, shareholders, communities and other stakeholders, as well as the environment. This obligation is seen to extend beyond the statutory obligation to comply with legislation and sees organizations voluntarily taking further steps to improve the quality of life for employees and their families as well as for the local community and society at large1. Nowadays, CSR becomes more and more popular among big companies because it makes them able to be perceived in better light, by their customers. In current dense market, firms have to fight for the customer by offering something new or unique. They use CSR in order to create customers’ loyalty based on distinctive ethical values. On the other hand, many critics claim that the only reason why companies implement social projects is the benefit which they may generate by being perceived as socially aware entities.
Corporate social responsibility is very often put into place by firms operating on the markets that generate the biggest harms to the society. Such corporations want to increase their brand image in order not to lose their customers. A great example of such a market is tobacco industry, which is generally known as causing many problems to its customers.
1.1 U.S. Tobacco Industry2
In 1990s, tobacco was a business which generated one of the biggest profits, however, it was a business which aroused a great deal of contraventions. Five companies dominated American tobacco market. The leader of the market was Philip Morris Companies, Inc., which was also the largest cigarettes maker in the world, controlled almost the half of U.S tobacco market. It was also the owner of Marlboro, which was the world’s
Bibliography: Books: Business and Society, Anne T. Lawrence, James Weber, James E. Post, McGraw-Hill Irwin, 2005, New York, Edition 11 Websites: http://en.wikipedia.org http://www.philipmorrisusa.com http://www.tobaccofreekids.org http://www.bmj.com http://www.iht.com http://www.grandprix.com http://www.tobaccopapers.com