1.0 Areas of law
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has long been a touchy issue for governments not just in Australia, but around the world as well. Companies in Australia are governed by the corporation’s act, which outlines the legal capacity and power of a company. The Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) s 57A1, defines a corporation as a separate legal entity, that includes any corporate body and unincorporated bodies that may sue, be sued or hold property in the name of an office holder appointed for that purpose. In context of corporate governance, the main issue is with the current legislation is in regards to director’s duties. Under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) s1802, directors have a civil obligation to act with due care and
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Also, the Australian government may introduce a rule that requires registered companies to participate in a policy in which each company need to design a Corporate Social Responsibility Committee that will observe every activity conducted and how will it impact those other than the shareholders, specifically the employees, suppliers, customers and also the environment. The company would then have to participate in a policy in which it is required to be publicized on its own website. Although it may be contradicting to the directors’ best interest for the company, by spending an amount on volunteering programs, such as the hunger project to help extinguish famine in poor countries, it also helps the company to build a better image that in turn, could be advantageous to the directors.
4.0 Issues of importance
The push for company reporting to include CSR related information in annual reports is of utmost importance, given the prominence of corporate influence in today’s society. The recommendation to implement triple bottom line reporting would increase the extent to which companies are taking responsibility for the consequences of their actions, in relation to corporate activities that touch on environmental or other issues of community concern13
The implementation of the policy requiring companies to establish a corporate Social Responsibility Committee are
In recent years, companies are becoming socially responsible and now stakeholders almost expect a company to have CSR policies. Therefore, in twentieth century, corporate social responsibility (CSR) became an important development in public life (Barnett, ND).Corporate social responsibility is defined as “the ways in which an organisation exceeds the minimum obligations to stakeholders specified through regulation and corporate governance” (Johnson, Schools and Whittington, N.D cited in March, 2012). Stakeholders can be defined as “those individuals or groups who depend on the organisation to fulfil their own goals and on whom, in turn, the organisation depends” (Johnson, Schools and Whittington, N.D cited in March, 2012). There are many
Based on the case scenario, Doris, Betty, and Charlie formed a company called Bechdo Pty Ltd. The three members are the directors and Betty who is major shareholder holds 40% followed by Charlie and Doris who hold 20% each while the 20% is held by the rest. Based on the company constitution, a managing director has capacity to enter into a contract o behalf of the company up to a maximum of $100,000. Moreover, he/she can enter into contracts to the value of $900,000 upon getting consent for the board of directors. In this case, Bechdo Pty Ltd operates without a managing director since none was elected. The major issue is that Betty being the majority shareholder went ahead and entered into contract with BB Ltd, Jillo Pty Ltd, and
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR, also called corporate responsibility, corporate citizenship and responsible business) is a concept whereby organizations consider the interests of society by taking
It is overwhelming how corporations have embedded a social responsibility in their mission statements and company objectives. This leaves us with one assertion that is that corporations do have some level of obligation towards society’s morality; however, the corporation itself is not a moral agent (Klaus M. Leisinger). The discussion that follows is about corporations being moral agents or otherwise; however I will reach a conclusion that corporations do have an obligation that extends beyond obeying the law; evens so this obligation have been derived from the corporations quest for profit making. Corporation’s obligation
CSR is about how a business takes account of its economic, social and environmental impacts in the way it operates – maximizing the benefits and minimizing the downsides. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is the buzz phrase these days. Where previously formal CSR policies have been the domain of governments and multinationals, business people at all levels are becoming aware that they ignore their CSR responsibilities at their peril.
Capitalism is dominating the lives of today’s world and people do not even realize how they are being swindled. The civilians of the modern society do not acknowledge how they are being used as assets to make bottom lines for the world’s most competitive companies. With so many corporations and businesses running, there is a neverending race of who can get the most consumers and profits. For companies to attract investors and customers, they use CSR, or corporate social responsibility, to gain advantages in the business industry. Corporate social responsibility is when a company decides to do certain activities to help improve society . CSR consists of different types of categories which are philanthropy, ethical labor practices, and the environment. Throught the decades, there has been a constant debate that concerns how beneficial and helpful corporate social responsibility really is. Some people argue that CSR can let a company make profits and help the general public at the same time, but others suggest that companies who use CSR are only prioritizing their self interest and wealth. Therefore, a company cannot be socially responsible while simultaneously making a profit because corporate social responsibility is used as a way to avoid government regulation and to greenwash a company’s reputation.
• Gower and Davies’ Principles of Modern Company Law, Even if you do not purchase a copy of this book it is highly recommended that you read this comprehensive coverage of modern company law.
There is a multitude of definitions of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). According to Business for Social Responsibility, ‘CSR is defined as achieving commercial success in ways that honor values and respect people, communities and the natural environment.’ Alternatively, CSR has been described as ‘an action by a firm, which the firm chooses to take, that substantially affects an identifiable social stakeholder’s welfare.’ Osie-Kwame, S (July
Business personalities, government officials, and loans are hedging more attention on the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The core issue is the appropriate responsibility of business. In as much as firms ought to obey the law, but beyond complete compliance with environmental laws, the question is whether firms have extra social responsibilities to commit part of their resources to environmental preservation voluntarily.
In recent times, the concept of corporate social responsibility has become a prominent business strategy, as countless firms have directed their attention towards leading public interests. It is no secret that businesses hold a tremendous deal of power within the economy. With an abundance of assets and disposable cash at hand, companies have the power to engage in socially conscious expenditures. In result, it has become increasingly popular for companies to devote their time and money to environmental sustainability programs as well as various social
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), a concept that has been around for well over 50 years, has become prominent again recently. Peter Utting (2005) notes that an increasing number of transnational corporations (TNCs) and large domestic companies, supported by business and industry associations, are adopting a variety of so-called voluntary CSR initiatives that incorporate, for example, ‘codes of conduct; measures to improve environmental management systems and occupational health and safety; company ‘triple bottom line’ reporting on financial, social, and environmental aspects; participation in certification and labeling schemes; dialogue with stakeholders and partnerships with NGOs and UN agencies; and increased support for community development projects and programes’. The revival of CSR is reflected also in its recent prominence in public debate. CSR has also generated a very extensive literature in recent times. For example, a search on Google Scholar for the phrase ‘corporate social responsibility’ produced 12,500 citations. A more general search of the internet on Google for the phrase ‘corporate social responsibility’ produced 12,900,000 results. A general search for the phrase ‘corporate social responsibility’ on Australian sites produced 97,800 hits. This research paper is a conceptual paper regarding CSR consists the introduction, historical background of CSR, arguments
The concepts of corporate social responsibility (CSR) have been evolving for decades. At the very beginning, it was argued that corporation’s sole responsibility was to provide maximum financial returns to shareholders. However, it became quickly apparent to everyone that this pursuit of financial gain had to take place within the boundary of the legal system (Carroll, 1979;1991). Bowen’s 1953 publication of ‘Social Responsibility of Businessman’ was considered by many scholar to be the first definitive book, to explain the idea behind CSR. Following Bowen’s book, a number of works played a vital role in developing the social responsibility concept (Cheit, 1964; David & Blomstrom, 1966; Carroll, 1979;1991).
Also, in referencing the Danish model, although the region may be relatively unique in the widely accepted responsibilities of corporate citizenry, it is not unique in providing such guidelines. The SEC has established a CSR Working Group and provided to the public and firms alike a handbook that discusses principles of Corporate Social Responsibility. (4) The principles discussed within this handbook outline a frame of reference that companies may follow. In addition, CSR disclosure are mandated for listed firms to be provided within each of their annually distributed report, both availing investors to view information pertinent for investment decisions as well as availing corporate leadership the opportunity to compare progress and
Social responsibility is an idea that has been of concern to mankind for many years. Over the last two decades, however, it has become of increasing concern to the business world. This has resulted in growing interaction between governments, businesses and society as a whole. In the past, businesses primarily concerned themselves with the economic results of their decisions. “Today, however, businesses must also reflect on the legal, ethical, moral and social consequences of their decisions” (Anderson 15). This paper will discuss the concept of corporate social responsibility. It will give the definition of the phrase, and identify some of the global factors that necessitate corporate social responsibility. It will discuss the importance of corporations setting up corporate social responsibility projects, and the impact these have on society. Social corporate responsibility and the maintenance of high ethical standards is not an option but an obligation for all business.
According to it, “Every company with a net worth of Rs. 500 crore or more, or turnover of Rs. 1,000 crore or more, or net profit of Rs. 5 crore or more in a financial year will have to form a corporate social responsibility (CSR) Committee of the Board consisting of three or more directors, out of which at least one director must be an independent director