Social Responsibility: The Container Store Social Responsibility:

Social Responsibility: The Container Store

Social Responsibility:

The Container Store

Social responsibility is defined by the small business encyclopedia as "acting with concern and sensitivity, aware of the impact of [one's] actions on others, particularly the disadvantaged."[footnoteRef:1] This definition therefore implies the fact that a business must, perhaps above all else, respect and reward its employees. The case study below will focus on a thriving enterprise, and will thus describe the social responsibilities that the Container Store has, as well as how these relate to individuals within the organization and what issues can come along the way to challenge or help meet these responsibilities. [1: "Social Responsibility." (2011). Small Business Encyclopedia. Retrieved October 22, from .]

The store was created by two individuals in the late 1970's, and was, needless to say, a struggling enterprise at first. However, with hard work, the Container Store has come to bring in almost $700 million in profits annually, making it a thriving business indeed.[footnoteRef:2] Not only that, but the organization is also on the Forbes 100 list as one of the best places to work.[footnoteRef:3] Furthermore, the organization aims, according to its website, to work with environmentally friendly materials, thus placing it on a high pedestal in terms of carrying out its social responsibilities from these three viewpoints.[footnoteRef:4] [2: Sawayda, J. (2011). The Container Store: An Employee-Centric Retailer. Daniels Fund Ethics Initiative University of New Mexico. Retrieved October 22, from . ] [3: The Container Store Tops Fortune's 100 List. (2000). CRS Press Release. Retrieved October 22, from < http://www.csrwire.com/press_releases/23540-The-Container-Store-Tops-Fortune-s-100-Best-List>.] [4: What We Stand For. (2011). The Container Store Website. Retrieved October 22, from < http://standfor.containerstore.com/>. ]

Every organization has challenges that it must embrace and resolve. With regards to the container store, these are, as mentioned above, good treatment of employees and giving back to the community, while also harboring respect for the community and the environment. Other information included on the same website as referenced above describes a foundation on good principles and good products. The organization spends quite some time detailing the positives of its policies, and challenges customers to go into the stores and see just how right it is.

There, are, undoubtedly ethical issues for the organization, as well as utilizing technology to constantly improve and innovate. With regards to utilizing technological means positively for human resources functions, this is also done in order to support the environment through embracing sustainability. According to the company:

"[We] embrace sustainability as a key to our economic future and feel businesses that do this will have a better relationship with all of their stakeholders and ultimately, be able to offer the best quality products at the lowest possible prices."[footnoteRef:5] [5: What We Stand For. (2011). The Container Store Website. Retrieved October 22, from < http://standfor.containerstore.com/>. ]