Corporate Social Responsibility Case Study

Case Title:

Who Says there is No Money in CSR?

Abstract:
This case study’s focus is on whether it makes any business sense for companies to adopt CSR initiatives .Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is the most discussed and debated topic in today’s business environment, where companies and ethical consumers believe it improves the operational efficiencies ensuing in win-win model. Whereas critics feel implementation of CSR is against the general interests of the share holders, as a company’s main goal must be enhancing shareholders wealth. However, companies incorporating CSR in their business policies intended at improving bottom-line, evolving new business models and competitive advantage, resulting in long term sustainability. Thereby the companies aim at achieving both the goals simultaneously – shouldering social responsibility along with increasing shareholders wealth.

Pedagogical Objectives:

• To analyse whether CSR would increase the bottom-line of the companies
• To debate whether CSR pursuit would enable companies to stumble into new business models
• To debate if the CSR initiatives would yield competitive advantage for corporations

Keywords : Case Studies, Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, Business Sustainability, Ethical Consumerism, Sweat Shops, Eco-Friendly Programme, Environmental Responsibility Policies, Fair Labour Association, Levi-Strauss' Project 'Eureka', Triple Bottom Line, Association of Community Colleges