Corporate Social and Environmental Responsibilities - Assignment Example

Reflective Journal Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Name Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Course Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Lecture Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx 22nd October, 2012. Entry #1: Corporate social and Environmental Responsibilities Based on the lesson learnt in class I s was able to have a clear knowledge on how most organizations view environmental and social responsibilities. Based on the readings most business view corporate social and environmental responsibility as not been merely philanthropy but instead; it should also be viewed as a strategic business issue. In also noted that over time a lot of observable attention is been made towards the environmental and social effects of the business and so far performance in this area is far from been satisfactory. Based on the readings a number of companies view the two concepts as been independent of each other though in most instances they are usually at loggerheads. Thus based on my understanding the society needs to embrace the concept that although the corporate and environmental responsibilities were often seen as been philanthropy towards the community they also acts as strategic business issue. In my opinion there are a number of ways in which the concepts are viewed as been strategic business issues. One of the major way is related to the concepts been a reactive strategy (Porter & Reinhardt 2007, p. 24). Generally the concepts are seen as been a reactive strategy that aims at reviving floppy fortunes of the organization by gaining confidence of individuals who lives in the society that they are operating in. through corporate environmental and social responsibilities the organization are able to achieve a lot confidence in the community that they are based and thus in this sense corporate social and environmental responsibilities acts a been a strategic issue in most organizations. Also based on the readings I was able to note that companies can use their corporate social and environmental responsibilities as a strategic issue when it comes to matters related to the creation of their brand image. The hard work of organizations trying to recover from the negative effects that arises due to them not discharging social responsibility is generally termed as been the damage control exercise in relation to the corporate image. Most companies view corporate social and environmental responsibilities as been a favorable opportunity for building their corporate image (Anderson 2005, p. 98). In most instances organizations develop deliberate and systematic approaches in the aim of maintaining their focus on certain social welfare actions and other environmental activities in the aim of maintaining a good image in the mind of the society to which they are selling their products. This not only assists in the enhancement of the image of the organization in the near future but also in the enhancement of consistency, this will eventually lead to the creation of a positive reputation. Through the enhancement of the brand image, the society tend to favor the company more as compared to others who have a bad reputation, thus the society will tend to purchase more from that company and may even at times boycott the companies that are not been socially and environmental friendly. In the long run, such companies may experience reduced sales which may eventually have a very negative effect on the organization (Anderson 2005, p. 100). The readings also depicted another way in which CSR acts as a strategic business issue more related to the aspect of improved operating effectiveness. Other organizations are more concerned with environment since it helps them in operating in the set environmental norms that have been set by the statutory authorities and it also assists them in reducing their operating costs thus operating efficiency is enhanced (Swartz 2010, p. 42). Companies therefore are planning and moving even beyond the compliance stage in that they are undertaking activities which tend to foster a better life for both the current and future generations to come. This seems to be a probable necessity for most business in the aim of improving their productivity and profitability. In respect to this organization have over time come up with some measures that are aimed at reducing the impact their activities have on the environment. One of such measure is the reduction of the gases that are emitted in the environment. The reading also identified another way in which CSR acts as a strategic business issue is in relation to CSR as a source of competitive advantage for organizations. Organizations ought to have clear and concise understanding of the community they have an impact on. Thus, the business are currently been faced by a challenge to come up with a list of social issues that drive competitiveness for the business now and in the future (Swartz 2010, p. 40). Thus, managers of organizations ought to view CSR as a source of a business opportunity as well as a source of competitive advantage of the organization. With this integration, there will sustainability and growth in all sectors of the business Entry #2: Future careers The career workbook has guided me a lot in planning for my future career over the next ten years. One of the major way in which it guided me was in relation to the development of high levels of self awareness. Through the development of self awareness I will be able to identify my strengths thus allowing me to focus my energies and time on the areas and I tend to perform best (Bidou & Zichy 2007, p. 67). The other also through self awareness I will be able to adapt to nay situation that may be present. This will ensure that I undertake all the challenges that I may face in my professional life. In relation to this aspect I was able to identify the skills as well as knowledge that I currently have and those that I need to develop for the future. The combination of the knowledge and skills will assist me a lot in undertaking and fulfilling of the professional duties that will be assigned to be at the work place (Reardom et al. 2008, p. 88). Also in relation to this aspect I was able to review aspects that may ultimately contribute to my job satisfaction or the lack of job satisfaction. Based on the lists I will be able to shun away from the aspects that may lead to low job satisfaction levels while at the same time trying to uphold those that will eventually lead to job satisfaction. Another aspect is related to the options awareness this is mainly based on the fact that I now tend to have a clear understanding of the interests, capabilities and the essential life needs, therefore I have been placed at a better position in the identification of the available employment options that are available for me and the most probable roles that I will be expected to undertake in the organizations. This makes it more favourable to me since it is very likely that I may not make any mistakes in relation to the career I choose and thus will do it diligently and with a lot of passion (Lock 2004, p. 25). Also thorough the career planning book I have been able to know how to market myself. This will involves issues such as the creation of a resume to present to the potential employers. Resumes tend to play a vital role even prior to the interview stage, thus the creation of an organized resume will be essential, when seeking employment opportunities. Entry # 3: Importance of integrity and ethics in my Professional Life The understanding I have gained from this course has made me realize how important it is for professionals to consistently uphold ethical standards of behaviour and maintain impeccable integrity. I have discovered that professions and organization have been much maligned for their pretence to uphold integrity, while in fact concentrating on profit motives only. To dissociate my profession from the notion that profession are in business to exploit laymen, I realized why I had to uphold ethics and integrity. It is particularly important to uphold high ethical standards and integrity to acquire and retain trust from my employer and our customers. As I analyzed the work of Cowton (2009) on professionalism, I discovered how crucial it is for a professional to conduct his practice in a way that makes him reliable. I realized if as a professional I gain the trust of my employer, it enables him give me more autonomy over their work and thus contributes to higher levels of organizational efficiency. Being an employee of high integrity, suspicions about the quality of work I produce disappear from my supervisors mind, as there is no need to micro manages an employee who upholds high ethical standards. This course has also taught me that upholding ethics and integrity in organization encourages employees to become more committed to achieve the objectives of the company. If senior employees upholding integrity and ethics in their practice they inspire their inferiors to become more committed to the firm’s objectives. Integrity and accountability are key contributors to a feeling of pride in once workplace. I believe ethical conduct will inspire pride in lower ranking employees at the workplace as they feel a part of an organization that is committed to the greater good of society. Cowton (2009) puts the need of managers to lead by example by acting ethically as a “tone from above” that pushes for integrity to be observed. As a member of a professional body I have a responsibility in maintaining and enhancing the reputation of my professional body when it comes to ethical concerns (Cowton 2009). I found out that good reputation of my professional association take years to develop to its current state but can be tarnished by just one unethical act. I have become aware that I am an ambassador of my profession and my conduct affects the way people perceive my profession. Additionally I have learnt that if as a professional my conduct lacks integrity it is likely to compromise the high standing of my professional organization in our society. I think as a profession I can preserve the pride members have in their professional association by observing the highest standards of ethical behaviour in my practice. I agree with Compton (2009) that it is imperative that professional bodies retain their self-regulation power, the reward for maintaining high integrity. I realize my professional conduct must never contribute to the withdrawal of the powers to self-regulate that our professional body enjoys. I found out that when a worker sets out to conduct his work with integrity it breeds consistency. I have found out consistency is considered a great asset in a workplace. Integrity contributes greatly to the production of consistently good results. In my professional life I follow a clear set of principles that guide my conduct on a daily basis. In cases where I find an ethical issue that have to be addressed I follow my principle to establish the right course of action. I have discovered that if my decisions founded on the basis of ethical consideration they will always be consistent and will elicit respect for my work from colleagues and superiors alike. Most importantly I found that ethics and integrity in an organization predict the long-term survival of a firm as a business entity. The article by Platts (2003) taught me that ethical companies are likely to survive the turbulent economic times while companies who act unethically become embroidered in scandals that finally see them collapse. From Hammond, Keeney and Raiffa (2006) I deduced that in professional life one has to avoid unethical practices to make sure the organization they work does not get shamed because of unethical business practices. I totally agree with the views of shareholder that unethical practices affect the net worth of a firm especially for firm listed on exchange markets in the long run. I also established another importance of maintaining honesty and integrity in the workplace as the need to leave a good impression that helps in finding future job opportunities. To avoid a negative reputation that may reduce the marketability of a professional’s skills an ethical approach to every problem they face at work is very important. I think by following my professional body’s code of conduct will enabled me manoeuvre through all the ethical issues that may influence my job finding potential in the future. References Anderson, D 2005, Corporate Survival: The critical importance of sustainability risk management, iUniverse, Inc, New York (chapter 3, pp. 88-109). Bidou, A & Zichy, S 2007, Career Match: Connecting Who You are With What You’ll Love to Do, AMACOM, New York. Cowton, C 2009, Accounting and the ethics challenge: re-membering the professional body, Accounting and Business Research, vol. 39, no. 3, pp. 177-189. Hammond, JS, Keeney, RL, & Raiffa, H 2006, The hidden traps in decision making. Harvard Business Review, vol 84, pp. 118-125. Lock, R 2004, Taking Charge of Your Career Direction: Career Planning Guide, Book 1, Brook Cole, California. Platts, J 2003, Developing competence and trust: Maintaining the heart of a profession, Professional Ethics, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 3-18 Porter, M & Reinhardt, F 2007, A strategic approach to climate, Harvard Business Review, vol. 85, no. 10, pp. 22-26. Reardom, R., Lenz, J., Sampson, J & Peterson, G 2008, Career Development & Planning: A Comprehensive Approach, Custom publishing, United States. Swartz, J 2010, Timberland's CEO on standing up to 65,000 angry activists, Harvard Business Review, vol. 88, no. 9, pp. 39-43. Read More