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Abstract
Corporate Social Responsibility: Ethics and Challenges In India
Ms. Vandana Gupta, Assistant professor,
Department of Management, Kasturi Ram College of Higher Education Narela, Delhi.
Affiliated by Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University Delhi.
Mail id- vandanakrche@gmail.com
Dr.Vikrant Agarwal, Associate Professor,
Department of Management, Kasturi Ram College of Higher Education Narela, Delhi.
Affiliated by Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University Delhi.
Mail.id- vikrantagarwal001@gmail.com
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is the responsibility of the corporate entity towards the society
in consideration of the support given and sacrifices made by the society. The corporations exploit the
natural resources of the country, cause incidental damage to environment and inconvenience to the
people of the project area. Therefore, they have a responsibility towards the society to share a part of
their profit. In India companies like TATA and Birla are practicing the Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR) for decades, long before CSR become a popular basis. CSR is in a very much budding stage. A
lack of understanding, inadequately trained personnel, coverage, policy etc. further adds to the reach
and effectiveness of CSR programs. Large no. of companies are undertaking these activities
superficially and promoting/ highlighting the activities in Media. This article focuses on the finding &
reviewing of the issues and challenges faced by CSR activities in India.
Keywords: CSR, Corporate Social Responsibility, Societal Marketing, Central Public Sector
Enterprises, incidental damage, Sustainable development.
INTRODUCTION
The concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has been developing since the early 1970s.
There is no single universally accepted definition of CSR, though there are some definitions given by
certain authorities. CSR is the continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and contribute
to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as
well as of the local community and society at large. CSR is a term describing a company’s obligation
to be accountable to all of its stakeholders in all its operations and activities. Socially responsible
companies consider the full scope of their impact on communities and the environment when making
decisions, balancing the needs of stakeholders with their need to make profit. CSR is a concept
whereby organizations serve the interests of society by taking responsibility for the impact of their
activities on customers, employees, shareholders, communities and the environment in all aspects of
their operations. In simple terms CSR may be described as the responsibility of a corporation towards
the society in consideration of the support given and the sacrifices made by the society. It is also
important to bear in mind that there are two separate drivers for CSR. One relates to public policy.
Because the impacts of the business sector are so large, and with a potential to be either positive or
negative, it is natural that governments and wider society take a close interest in what business does.
This means that the expectations on businesses are rising; governments will be looking for ways to
increase the positive contribution of business. The second driver is the business driver. Here, CSR
considerations can be seen as both costs (e.g., of introducing new approaches) or benefits (e.g., of
improving brand value, or introducing products that meet sustainability demands). The remainder of
this guide addresses the second of these drivers. Since businesses play a pivotal role both in job and
wealth creation in society and in the efficient use of natural capital, CSR is a central management
www.theinternationaljournal.org > RJEBS: Volume: 02, Number: 06, April-2013 Page 102