Social responsibility is the theory that every entity has a duty to the greater good of society as a whole, in order to maintain a balance between the economy and the environment. This responsibility can be on an individual or organizational level, but the idea is to give back as much good to the world we live in as we take from it.
Economic development has long been seen as a trade-off between preserving the world we live in and improving the economic climate, especially in urban societies where commerce seems to override the health of the environment. However, this does not have to be the case. With social responsibility, we can find ways to maintain a balance between the two by either not engaging in actions that are harmful to the environment (passive) or working towards the advancement of social goals (active).
Corporate Social Responsibility, or CSR, refers to the efforts of a for-profit organization, or business enterprise, in the area of social improvement. The World Business Council for Sustainable Development has defined corporate social responsibility in one of its publications, as “…the continued commitment by businesses to act ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as the local community and society at large”. It is often said that corporate social responsibility comes directly in the way of an organization’s essential role in economic growth and profit making. However, it is clear that economic growth can only take us so far in a world where human, animal and environmental welfare takes a back seat. Corporate Social Responsibility is now a vital device in the machinery of most well-established organizations around the world.
Similarly, Student Social Responsibility (SSR) and Individual Social Responsibility (ISR) are also seen as positive and negative ramifications for society. Should the individual focus on self-interest alone or the greater interests of society? Should the student focus on success in purely academic endeavors, or should he benefit from participating in the welfare of society? The answer is simple: there is no individual gain when society suffers; The fruits of one’s academic excellence are worthless when society is not functioning optimally.
To this end, it is up to the individual or organization to choose the area of social responsibility in which they believe they are most appropriate to contribute. A good example of best practice in social responsibility and sustainability comes from Levi Strauss. The company has come under fire from Greenpeace for its clean water practices at some of its plants in Mexico. Levy made an explicit pledge on his site to work on this weakness. By rethinking water consumption at every stage of production, the company now has a new line of jeans, which use up to 96% less water during the production cycle.