Business models have some extent of accountability to themselves, the stakeholders, and the public to establish the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). There are four significant types of CSR, including environmental, ethical, economic, and philanthropic responsibilities, with different purposes. While ethical CSR assures the company, stakeholders, and the public that the company values its interests, environmental responsibilities mitigate the company’s impact on the planet’s ecosystem to enhance sustainability. Economic CSR addresses the expectations of shareholders and stakeholders by ensuring the company achieves a triple-bottom-line. Philanthropic responsibilities benefit the general population by improving the world and society. Essentially, CSR is a concept of business accountability to itself, the shareholders and the general community by undertaking environmental, ethical, philanthropic, or economic responsibilities.
Ethics are the moral principles that guide the behaviors of business organizations. Considering CSR is an integrative concept that establishes responsible behavior within an organization’s operations, values, competencies and interests, it fits within the idea of ethics (Velte 4). Notably, business ethics is more about conscience that helps organizations decide the obligations to society that define CSR. CSR is a form of soft law since it is perceived as obligatory, although not required by U.S. statutes and regulations.
Google is a multinational company responsible for organizing digital information in a way that is universally accessible and applicable. Google has over 271 products and services responsible for information management, accessibility and categorization (Google.org 1). Some services provided by Google include Google Docs, search, Meet, sites and Editors. Operating in the digital space, Google provides the services of organizing information in a manner that is easily accessible to the general public.
The management has a critical role in promoting CSR by deciding and overlooking the implementation strategy. First, the management is liable for localizing efforts of enforcing CSR by forming a stronger bond between employees and corporations to boost morale. The management encourages participation in CSR and evaluates financial implications to ensure the business objectives for CSR are achieved. Essentially, the management decides the values that define CSR and provides resources and design incentives to help promote CSR initiatives.
Google contributes to society in numerous ways, including environmental, ethical, and philanthropic types of CSR. Besides the philanthropic responsibilities of providing people with information to power education and unlock opportunities through technology, Google contributes to the environment by controlling energy and water consumption in its companies, as well as reducing waste and carbon emissions. Finally, Google establishes ethical responsibility by prohibiting and actively responding to discrimination, harassment, misconduct, and retaliation. Therefore Google has philanthropic, ethical, and environmental forms of CSR in place.
Accelerating progress through information and grants, the anti-discrimination policy, and the use of renewable energy are examples of CSR initiatives undertaken by Google. Since 2015, Google has contributed towards UN sustainable development goals through information and over $45 million in grants to organizations supporting refugees (Google.org 3). Moreover, the anti-discriminatory policy enforced by Google prohibits unethical mistreatment and inappropriate conduct. Regarding environmental responsibility, Google sources 35% of its energy from renewable sources, particularly the Mountain View campus solar system that generates more than 3 million kWh of clean energy (Business Research Methodology 1). Ultimately, Google has established philanthropic, ethical, and environmental CSR measures.
To conclude, business organizations are accountable to themselves, the stakeholders, and the public through CSR. Since CSRs are obligations to create a better society, they fit the concept of ethics and law and are influenced by efficiency in management. Google is an example of business success appreciating philanthropic, ethical, and environmental CSRs. Google upholds CSR to ensure that business activities comply with regulatory requirements.
Works Cited
Business Research Methodology. “Google Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) – Research-Methodology.” Research. Web.
Google.org. “Google Org Impact Challenge on Climate Innovation.” Google.org, Google, 2022. Web.
Velte, Patrick. “Meta-analyses on corporate social responsibility (CSR): a literature review.” Management Review Quarterly 72.3: 627–675, 2022. Web.