Corporate Social Responsibility Basics

Name: Corporate Social Responsibility Basics
Author: Meredith Kiljan

Learn about corporate social responsibility and its benefits

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Course: On-Demand

(uplifting music) Welcome to Corporate Social Responsibility Basics. In these lessons, you'll learn the basics of social responsibility, how corporations work to engage in social and community endeavors, and the corporate benefits of having a framework of social responsibility within an organization. These lessons will also cover corporate ethics, sustainability, and the role of human resources in corporate social responsibility. Community and social engagement are a cornerstone of corporate social responsibility. Businesses can benefit from sponsoring community events, participating in fundraising, and encouraging their employees to volunteer their time. It's important to connect with communities not only to create partnerships and identify needs for products and services, but to encourage and motivate employees to work toward a greater good. Social and community engagement can come in a variety of forms. Here are a few examples. Volunteer hours given to employees to help them serve the community on behalf of the corporation, paid time off to employees who are willing to volunteer their time, payroll tax-free donations to charities of the employee's choice, and online or on-site volunteer opportunities and leadership roles for employees who wish to participate. Corporations that actively participate in social and community engagement can demonstrate how they're involved in building the community. Active engagement may also raise awareness of the corporation's products and services, helping them retain current employees and recruit new candidates. But one of the most important reasons for corporations to serve the local community is to give back to their customers. One way corporations can serve is through giving their own employees a voice in decision-making. Asking employees about the best ways to serve customers can be beneficial because they likely have firsthand knowledge of your customer base due to working directly on the front lines and as first points of contact. You might also consider receiving feedback directly from customers through surveys distributed via email, snail mail, or even receipts. Once the organization understands their customer feedback, they can begin looking for socially responsible options for giving back to their customers. These options can come in several forms, including: incentive or loyalty programs, special events, discounts, and community volunteer events. Many employees feel that their time performing community service is well-spent. So they may feel more connected to an organization that encourages service. This connection can give them a sense of pride and may increase productivity. Corporate social responsibility can also guide an organization into new customer markets. When fundraising or volunteering, companies may be seen as a positive influence because they're promoting the well-being of the community, attracting new customers within that community. When a corporation acts responsibly, it can benefit both itself and those it serves through these outreach programs.

Beginner Provider : Meredith Kiljan 7 Lessons · 19m in Arabic, German, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Urdu, Chinese

Course Description

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is an essential way for a corporation to show concern for the well-being of its employees and the needs of its customers. It also shows how a corporation engages with society and the environment. Why should organizations demonstrate concern for the well-being of the communities of which they are part? How can its managers, executives, and other employees give back to their communities?

In this course on Corporate Social Responsibility Basics, you’ll learn how a corporation benefits from being a socially responsible organization, explore how corporations develop an ethical code that guides employee behavior and promotes sustainability, and learn how being socially responsible benefits not only the corporation itself but also its employees and the broader community. You’ll explore the philanthropic, ethical, economic, and environmental aspects of corporate social responsibility and gain insight into the benefits that these aspects bring to organizations. Finally, you will learn how human resources departments play a significant role in creating an organizational culture that empowers all employees to create positive change.

What You'll Learn

Define corporate social responsibility (CSR) and how a corporation engages with society and the environment
Identify CSR principles, including its philanthropic, ethical, economic, and environmental aspects
Explain the role human resources plays in promoting CSR and creating an empowering organizational culture
Recognize the importance of CSR and the benefits it brings to the corporation, its employees, and the broader community
Explore how corporations develop an ethical code that guides employee behavior and promotes sustainability

Key Takeaways

Corporate social responsibility is a way for a corporation to show concern for the well-being of its employees and the needs of its customers, as well as how it engages with society and the environment.
CSR encompasses philanthropic, ethical, economic, and environmental aspects, each bringing benefits to organizations.
A corporation can develop an ethical code that guides employee behavior and promotes sustainability.
Being socially responsible benefits not only the corporation itself but also its employees and the broader community.
Human resources departments play a significant role in creating an organizational culture that empowers all employees to create positive change.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this course cover?

Corporate Social Responsibility Basics covers how a corporation benefits from being a socially responsible organization, how corporations develop an ethical code that guides employee behavior and promotes sustainability, and the philanthropic, ethical, economic, and environmental aspects of CSR. It also covers the role of human resources in CSR.

What will I be able to do after taking this course?

You will be able to define corporate social responsibility (CSR), identify CSR principles, explain human resources' role in promoting CSR, and recognize CSR's importance.

Who plays a role in CSR according to this course?

The course explains that managers, executives, and other employees can give back to their communities, and that human resources departments play a significant role in creating an organizational culture that empowers all employees to create positive change.

What topics are included in the lessons?

Lessons include Corporations and Social/Community Engagement, Defining Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), CSR and Corporate Ethics, CSR and Sustainability, Corporate Benefits of CSR, and The Role of Human Resources in CSR, followed by a Test Your Knowledge assessment.

Professional Certifications and Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM®)

Professional Development Credits (PDCs): 0.5

Certification Program Categories:

Leadership & NavigationBusiness AcumenConsultationGlobal MindsetEthical PracticeRelationship ManagementAnalytical AptitudeCommunicationDiversity, Equity & Inclusion

KnowledgeCity is approved by SHRM as a Recertification General Provider to offer SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP professional development credits (PDCs). By taking the courses approved by SHRM, KnowledgeCity can award SHRM Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for HR knowledge and competency programs related to the SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge™ (the SHRM BASK™).