CSR Practices: Balancing Profitability and Social Responsibility

This essay discusses the challenges organizations face in adopting Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices while maintaining profitability. It highlights that while many organizations engage in CSR activities like reducing carbon emissions and promoting charity to improve their public image, the inherent conflict between profit-driven operations and comprehensive CSR implementation remains a significant hurdle. The essay references academic sources to support the argument that complete adherence to CSR principles can be difficult for businesses primarily focused on maximizing profits, especially considering the carbon emissions associated with manufacturing and energy consumption.

Most organisations are good at
taking responsibility for CSR
practices

Corporate social responsibility refers to the practices and approaches
undertaken by an organisation in order to operate their business
promoting welfare of society and ensuring positive influence on
stakeholders. There are various organisations which are adopting CSR
practices such as reducing carbon footprint through engaging in
sustainable methods as well as promoting charity work (Sharma, 2019).
There are many companies who are trying to improve their image in the
society and get appreciation and from charitable trusts through promoting
welfare of stakeholders.

The corporate social responsibility has became significant for
organisations in order to avoid negative image and disapprove
by society. Despite being its growing importance, adopting
CSR practices and practising sustainability is quite
challenging as most of the enterprises operate primarily for
the purpose of earning high profitability margins. It is not
possible for enterprises to completely operate complying with
CSR practices and still manage to earn high profitability
margins (Adnan, Hay and van Staden, 2018). The production
processes involved in manufacturing of goods are emitting
carbon emissions due to energy consumption and
organisations cannot quit such practices.

References
• Sharma, E., 2019. A review of corporate social responsibility in developed and developing
nations. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 26(4), pp.712-720.
• Sánchez‐Torné, I., Morán‐Álvarez, J.C. and Pérez‐López, J.A., 2020. The importance of corporate social
responsibility in achieving high corporate reputation. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental
Management, 27(6), pp.2692-2700.
• Adnan, S.M., Hay, D. and van Staden, C.J., 2018. The influence of culture and corporate governance on
corporate social responsibility disclosure: A cross country analysis. Journal of Cleaner Production, 198,
pp.820-832.
• Matten, D. and Moon, J., 2020. Reflections on the 2018 decade award: The meaning and dynamics of
corporate social responsibility. Academy of management Review, 45(1), pp.7-28.