Social responsibility concepts and practices

Social Responsibility

Company Q. is a small grocery chain that exists in a major metropolitan area. One would expect that the value that this business creates for this society is the provision of marketable products and services at a reasonable price (Curtin, 1996). Further it would be expected that this business would collaborate with other forces in the community that are focused on raising the standards of health, education, workplace safety, and economic well-being (Curtin, 1996). Social responsibility also entails being a contributing corporate citizen through charitable donations, educational and cultural contributions, and active participation in community and civic events.

Company Q. does not appear to have invested itself in social responsibility or the overall well-being of the community in which their stores are established. While its actions do appear to protect its shareholders, they do not seem to be taking into consider all of the stakeholders who can be impacted by their business practices and decisions. For Company Q. To be considered socially responsible they would need to take actions that helped positively shape the future of their community. The choices that they have made are seemingly sound business decisions but they are not socially responsible ones.

In order to support the social and economic development of the area in which it is located, this small grocery chain must also ensure its economic health and viability (Curtin, 1996). Therefore while it is concerning that they have closed stores that are in high crime areas thereby adding to the crisis in these communities one must also recognize that these stores were ones in which the chain lost substantial funds in the last few years. That being said, the closure of these sites in areas that the company deemed unproductive may have led to the elimination of employment opportunities for many people who are living in that community also adding to the difficulties that this community and its members are facing.

Of significant concern is Company Q's refusal to donate day old products to local food pantries and instead throwing them away. This is certainly an area in which this company has not demonstrated social responsibility and one in which doing so would not provide any type of real financial burden to them or their shareholders. Company Q. appears to have allowed the fear of corruption, particularly fraud and theft, on behalf of their employees to get in the way of their contributing to the greater good. It would appear that if management has concerns regarding employee theft then this issue should be addressed through theft prevention programs rather than an avoidance of engagement in activities that may or may not result in theft by employees. The donation process could be structured in such a way to safeguard against fraud and would provide assistance to many community members who cannot afford food.