Business ethics and corporate social

responsibility debunked
Ethics and corporate social responsibility (CSR) have become watchwords for the
governance industry in recent years. Growing pressure on businesses, coupled with
companies' ambitions to 'do better' regarding ethical and corporate social
responsibility, has pushed the issue to the top of board agendas. Despite this, the
concepts of corporate social responsibility and ethics are not always fully
understood by businesses.

What is the connection between ethics and corporate social responsibility? How
should boards approach the two, and what are the crucial steps on the path to
operationalizing your CSR and ethics strategy? This article explores the issues.

What is Corporate Social Responsibility in Business

Ethics?
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is used to describe initiatives or strategies
organizations put in place to make themselves more socially accountable.
Practicing corporate social responsibility can make an organization more aware of
its impact on society.

CSR can be one facet of an organization's wider business ethics; as Investopedia

notes, it is 'a broad concept that can take many forms depending on the company
and industry.'

CSR is often erroneously used interchangeably with ESG (environmental, social

and governance), a term that describes a more tightly defined set of criteria
around which businesses build their ethical strategies. While CSR and ESG are
connected — and more on that connection later — they are not the same.

CSR has been a recognized element of business ethics for many years; the
publication of Archie B Carroll's 'CSR pyramid' in 1979 is generally accepted as
the advent of today's definition of corporate social responsibility. Carroll posited
that CSR and business are not mutually exclusive, but companies must address
their commercial obligations before seeking ethical or philanthropic ones.

Sometimes, this interplay between commercial and ethical imperatives is referred

to as the 'triple bottom line,' an accounting framework that considers three
aspects — social, environmental (or ecological) and financial — to give
organizations a fully rounded view of their performance.
How Do Ethics Differ From Corporate Social
Responsibility?
Generally, it's accepted that ethics is a broader concept than CSR. While business
ethics and corporate social responsibility are closely intertwined, CSR is focused
more specifically on an organization's obligations to society. Business ethics is a
far broader construct that can encompass obligations to employees, shareholders,
customers, suppliers and other stakeholders.

And corporate social responsibility itself is a pretty wide-ranging concept — which

brings us to a third construct, ESG.

When it comes to CSR, a key consideration is whether, as a term and a concept, it's
specific enough to home in on the core issues. ESG — environmental, social and
governance — is a term that is increasingly being used interchangeably with CSR.
But strictly speaking, the two are different.

Stakeholder intelligence experts Alva sum this up nicely, noting that: 'Without
CSR, there would be no ESG, but the two are far from interchangeable. While CSR
aims to make a business accountable, ESG criteria make its efforts measurable.'

In some cases, the potential breadth of issues covered under CSR and the lack of
tangible ways to measure CSR efforts have meant that companies' corporate social
responsibility initiatives have failed to achieve their potential. The number of
projects that potentially fall under the CSR banner can make it difficult to manage
or quantify in terms of value. ESG can offer a more defined and measurable focus
for corporates' ethical activity.

We have, then, three related but distinct terms: ethics, CSR and ESG. The three
have subtle differences that boards will want to understand and bear in mind when
deciding on the focus of their socially and environmentally focused activity.

Why Should Businesses Act Ethically?

Aside from the obvious answer that we all — individually and collectively — have
a moral duty to act ethically, there are some specific reasons that businesses should
aspire to the highest levels of corporate ethics.

The importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) has undoubtedly grown

over the last decade. When looking at why corporate social responsibility is
increasingly important, the impact of CSR on all elements of corporate life should
be considered.
Alongside the altruistic drivers — the growing recognition of the importance of
corporate social responsibility to society — organizations are also acknowledging
the importance of corporate social responsibility in business.

CSR's impact on a brand's image has been evident in recent years, with numerous
examples of a company's supply chain, employment practices and environmental
performance having the potential to derail its reputation.

The growing public awareness of CSR issues has led to an expectation that the
companies we spend money with are 'doing the right thing' regarding their social
citizenship. The value of corporate social responsibility (CSR) is demonstrated
when the approach of a business mirrors the priorities of its customers.

All too often, though, there remains a mismatch between public preferences and
corporate performance. The Telegraph reports that in 2019, while 59% of
consumers expected companies to take a stand on climate and environmental
issues, only 16% of business leaders cited CSR as their top three business
concerns.

Because of mounting pressure on corporates in recent years to evidence the steps

they are taking to reduce their carbon footprints, positively impact the communities
in which they operate and ensure their internal practices meet the highest
compliance and governance standards, issues like environmental
sustainability have risen to the top of the board's agenda.

A more proactive approach to corporate social purpose is typically driven by a

desire to demonstrate a commitment to social purpose to shareholders ' and in turn,
a belief that this will impart a competitive edge. This is a key reason why
companies engage in corporate social responsibility.

Overlaying all of this is the growing practice of organizations being given ESG
ratings by third parties. Increasingly, third-party rating and reporting organizations
are providing these ratings as part of their assessment of businesses' investment
potential — giving companies another business-related imperative for improving
their ethical performance, specifically around environmental and social factors.

Better ethics can also drive better decisions. Diversity and inclusion (D&I) is one
aspect of corporate social responsibility that organizations are increasingly focused
on and vocal about — and one that can deliver real results in terms of decision-
making.

A board and leadership team made up of similar people can lead to groupthink,
where poor decisions are made due to the similarity in thought processes and
assumptions among the people involved. Improving your board's diversity is
therefore not just the 'right' thing to do; it can help improve your business
performance.

The Principles of Corporate Social Responsibility and

Business Ethics
When we examine the principles of business ethics and corporate social
responsibility, the two concepts are clearly intertwined.
The ISO quality standard ISO2600-2010: Guidance on Social
Responsibility includes 'ethical behavior' among its seven key principles of
socially responsible behavior:

 Accountability
 Transparency
 Ethical behavior
 Respect for stakeholder interests
 Respect for the rule of law
 Respect for international norms of behavior
 Respect for human rights

In their book Corporate Social Responsibility, David Crowther and Güler Aras
posit that 'There are three basic principles' which together comprise all CSR
activity,' two of which mirror the ISO principles:

1. Sustainability
2. Accountability
3. Transparency

The American Society for Quality defines corporate social responsibility as an

approach that 'pertains to people and organizations behaving and conducting
business ethically and with sensitivity towards social, cultural, economic, and
environmental issues.'

There's a consensus on ethics and corporate social responsibility and a strong

overlap between the two terms' underlying principles.

Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility in Strategic

Planning
Suppose a corporate social responsibility strategy's objective is to ensure that
strategic decisions are taken ethically. In that case, it stands to reason that strategic
planning needs to incorporate ethical considerations at its heart.
Embedding a code of ethics into your strategic decision-making is one way to
ensure your organizational strategy is aligned with your business values.

This should apply to all aspects of your CSR activity; goals around environmental
sustainability and strategy need to work in tandem. For example, your investments
and operations need to mirror your stated commitments to the environment.
Similarly, strategic decisions about appointments need to reflect your goals around
diversity and inclusion, and planning for new premises needs to take on board local
community considerations.

Your strategic plans should be informed by your approach to CSR and ethics and
drive forward your ambitions to be a more socially conscious, sustainable and
ethical business.

Daniella Foster, Senior Director of Corporate Responsibility at Hilton, sums it up

well in a Forbes article: 'Sustainable and inclusive growth is good business and
the companies that have aligned their business growth strategies to their ethics will
be a step ahead in future-proofing their business.'

The Benefits of Organizational Ethical Behavior

From our analysis above, it's obvious that organizational ethics and a responsible
social obligation approach can demonstrate significant benefits. Advantages to the
business extend beyond the reputational benefits of a sustainable or socially
conscious strategy: there can be a tangible impact on the bottom line.

The benefits of corporate social responsibility and ethics can include:

 Enhanced corporate reputation

 Differentiation from competitors
 Better relationships with investors and other stakeholders
 More rounded strategic decision-making
 Improved ESG ratings from third-party rating and reporting organizations
 Easier access to investment
 Lower costs due to more sustainable approaches
 Closer alignment with customer and employee priorities
 Ease of compliance with TCFD (Taskforce on Climate-related Financial
Disclosures) and other reporting requirements

CSR as a Vehicle for PR

Can CSR be a vehicle for positive PR? Of course, you can use your achievements
around corporate social responsibility and business ethics to support your
marketing and PR efforts — improved corporate reputation is one of the
recognized benefits of a CSR strategy.

Businesses that are rightly proud of their CSR efforts should be encouraged to
shout about them as an example to others of what can be done as much as for their
own recognition.

For some businesses, though, CSR is seen only or primarily as a PR opportunity.

These are the businesses that are likely to come unstuck as their efforts are exposed
as 'greenwashing,' the practice of overstating achievements for their own ends. It's
recognized today that ESG obligations cannot be met within a greenwashing
report that merely ticks the box for addressing environmental or social issues.'

As Prezly state, there's undoubtedly a 'complex relationship between corporate

social responsibility and PR.' The order of events is perhaps the most important
aspect here: While CSR provides an excellent story for corporates seeking positive
publicity, the story should be secondary to a genuine concern for ethics and a
desire to fulfill their social responsibility.

In other words, there's nothing wrong with publicizing your CSR wins, but seeking
to 'do' corporate social responsibility only for the PR benefits, or exaggerating your
successes for PR purposes, is likely to backfire because consumers, investors and
the wider public see through your attempts.

Transparency: The New Normal

This need for honesty dovetails neatly with an ever-growing spotlight on business
transparency — which is supremely important when it comes to ethics and CSR.
As we noted above, transparency is recognized as one of the core principles of
corporate social responsibility.

The trend towards transparency is seen across the industry, from consumers
demanding provenance information on the clothes they buy, pressure on businesses
to declare their ownership, and fee transparency in the asset management sector.
As we've noted, when it comes to CSR, greenwash won't cut any ice; customers
and investors alike want to see honest evaluations of achievements, with candid
reporting on goals and progress.

Considering Stakeholders in CSR and Ethics

As we've mentioned already, stakeholders are a key consideration for corporate
social responsibility and ethics — and a significant driver for companies' increased
focus on CSR/ethical behavior. Engaging with stakeholders — whether these are
your employees, customers, shareholders, suppliers or the wider community in
which you operate — will enable you to identify and prioritize your key actions.

Stakeholder Analysis

Stakeholder analysis, sometimes referred to as stakeholder mapping, is an essential

first step in your stakeholder engagement process. Consulting a broad spectrum of
stakeholders – from the engaged to the skeptical, those close to the business and
those more tangentially impacted by your actions – provides diverse viewpoints to
inform your approach.

This analysis and feedback can uncover opportunities and challenges. It also helps
to align your actions with the top-of-mind issues among your key stakeholders.

Transparency is the foundation here, as with reporting. Being honest about your
objectives, the challenges that may impede your progress, and the organization's
issues in adopting CSR and ethical behaviors is vital if you want your stakeholders
to trust in the process.

Ongoing communication between the stakeholders and those responsible for CSR
within the business is the glue that will hold together this stakeholder engagement;
communication should be two-way, regular and transparent.

Ethical Leadership and Management

Underpinning all this activity — from setting an ethical course for the business, to
stakeholder engagement and to publicizing your achievements — is a need for
ethical leadership.

A robust and honest approach to CSR relies on buy-in from the highest levels of
the organization. For some businesses, a shift toward a more ethical, CSR– and
ESG–focused strategy can be a major change in direction. Strong leadership is
vital.

Your board and senior management need to understand CSR’s role and purpose
and fully believe in its benefits; managerial ethics are key here. They need to be
prepared to invest in initiatives and behave in a way that demonstrates and
endorses ethical behaviors. They need to support champions throughout the
business who can disseminate the corporate social responsibility message. And
they need to lead from the front when it comes to measuring and reporting on CSR
progress, being frank about disappointments and honest about drivers, objectives
and challenges.

Managerial ethics and corporate social responsibility actions speak louder than
words; with CSR making ever-more–frequent appearances on board agendas, it’s
essential to have leadership that publicly supports corporate efforts.

The Next Step for Business Ethics and CSR? ESG

Companies are looking to establish this ethical leadership and management as the
norm increasingly look beyond ethics and corporate social responsibility.

Why? Because there are trends in ethical behavior that are more easily addressed
by the clearly defined concept of ESG than by the more nebulous CSR. Corporate
strategy and the leadership approaches that support it relies heavily on data to set
goals and measure progress —data that ESG is far more able to deliver.

The aforementioned Forbes article highlights this need for measurement, noting
that as more quantitative data on CSR becomes available, the expectation grows
for companies to measure their impact. Further, it claims that as “investors
continue to prioritize impact [of CSR], measurement becomes a competitive
advantage.”

ESG has a clear advantage over CSR here; it can be easier to define, with a more
finite list of issues that can fall under its umbrella. While CSR can be a slightly
imprecise and wide-ranging concept, with gains difficult to pin down, ESG lends
itself more to clarity and measurement.

And with reporting requirements around ESG issues — the TCFD reporting on
climate issues, for instance — growing, this is an increasingly urgent priority for
boards and senior management. Ways to implement ESG and capture its impact are
exercising leaders’ minds in ways that were not apparent just a few years ago.

To achieve their aims, organizations and their leaders need to operationalize their
CSR and ESG strategies, putting theory into practice — in consultation with
stakeholders — to devise a clear roadmap for CSR success.

Diligent’s ESG Roadmap is an invaluable tool for boards struggling to take the
first step. If you are wondering where to start on CSR and ESG, the roadmap
provides information on how to measure ESG, pinpoints the data you need to focus
on, and outlines priority actions.
What Is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)?

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a self-regulating business

model that helps a company be socially accountable to itself, its
stakeholders, and the public. By practicing corporate social
responsibility, also called corporate citizenship, companies can be
conscious of the kind of impact they are having on all aspects of
society, including economic, social, and environmental.

Engaging in CSR means that, in the ordinary course of business, a

company is operating in ways that enhance society and the
environment instead of contributing negatively to them.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

 Corporate social responsibility is a business model by which

companies make a concerted effort to operate in ways that
enhance rather than degrade society and the environment.
 CSR can help improve various aspects of society as well as
promote a positive brand image for companies.
 Corporate responsibility programs can also raise morale in the
workplace.1
 CSR is often broken into four categories: environmental
impacts, ethical responsibility, philanthropic endeavors, and
financial responsibilities.
 Some examples of companies that strive to be leaders in CSR
include Starbucks and Ben & Jerry's.2

Understanding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Corporate social responsibility is a broad concept that can take many
forms depending on the company and industry. Through CSR
programs, philanthropy, and volunteer efforts, businesses can benefit
society while boosting their brands.

For a company to be socially responsible, it first needs to be

accountable to itself and its shareholders. Companies that adopt CSR
programs have often grown their business to the point where they can
give back to society. Thus, CSR is typically a strategy that's
implemented by large corporations. After all, the more visible and
successful a corporation is, the more responsibility it has to
set standards of ethical behavior for its peers, competition,
and industry.

Small and midsize businesses also create social responsibility

programs, although their initiatives are rarely as well-publicized as
those of larger corporations.

Types of Corporate Social Responsibility

In general, there are four main types of corporate social responsibility.

A company may choose to engage in any of these separately, and lack
of involvement in one area does not necessarily exclude a company
from being socially responsible.

Environmental Responsibility

Environmental responsibility is the pillar of corporate social

responsibility rooted in preserving mother nature. Through optimal
operations and support of related causes, a company can ensure that it
leaves natural resources better than before its operations. A company
can pursue environmental stewardship through:

 Reducing pollution, waste, natural resource consumption, and

emissions through its manufacturing process.
 Recycling goods and materials throughout its processes,
including promoting re-use practices with its customers.
 Offsetting negative impacts by replenishing natural resources or
supporting causes that can help neutralize the company's impact.
 For example, a manufacturer that deforests trees may commit to
planting the same amount or more.
 Distributing goods consciously by choosing methods that have
the least impact on emissions and pollution.
 Creating product lines that enhance these values. For example, a
company that offers a gas lawnmower may design an electric
lawnmower.

Ethical Responsibility

Ethical responsibility is the pillar of corporate social responsibility

rooted in acting in a fair, ethical manner. Companies often set their
own standards, although external forces or demands by clients may
shape ethical goals. Instances of ethical responsibility include:

 Fair treatment across all types of customers regardless of age,

race, culture, or sexual orientation.
 Positive treatment of all employees including favorable pay and
benefits in excess of mandated minimums. This includes fair
employment consideration for all individuals regardless of
personal differences.
 Expansion of vendor use to utilize different suppliers of
different races, genders, veteran statuses, or economic statuses.
 Honest disclosure of operating concerns to investors in a timely
and respectful manner. Though not always mandated, a
company may choose to manage its relationship with external
stakeholders beyond what is legally required.

Philanthropic Responsibility

Philanthropic responsibility is the pillar of corporate social

responsibility that challenges how a company acts and how it
contributes to society. In its simplest form, philanthropic
responsibility refers to how a company spends its resources to make
the world a better place. This includes:

 Whether a company donates profit to charities or causes it

believes in.
  Whether a company enters into transactions only with suppliers
or vendors that align with the company philanthropically.
 Whether a company supports employee philanthropic endeavors
through time off or matching contributions.
 Whether a company sponsors fundraising events or has a
presence in the community.

Financial Responsibility

Financial responsibility is the pillar of corporate social responsibility

that ties together the three areas above. A company might make plans
to be more environmentally, ethically, and philanthropically focused;
however, it must back these plans through financial investments of
programs, donations, or product research. This includes spending on:

 Research and development for new products that encourage

sustainability.
 Recruiting different types of talent to ensure a diverse
workforce.
 Initiatives that train employees on DEI, social awareness, or
environmental concerns.
 Processes that might be more expensive but yield greater CSR
results.
 Ensuring transparent and timely financial reporting including
external audits.

Some corporate social responsibility models replace financial

responsibility with a sense of volunteerism. Otherwise, most models
still include environmental, ethical, and philanthropic as types of
CSR.

Benefits of Corporate Social Responsibility

As important as CSR is for the community, it is equally valuable for a

company. CSR activities can help forge a stronger bond between
employees and corporations, boost morale, and aid both employees
and employers in feeling more connected to the world around them.
Aside from the positive impacts to the planet, here are some
additional reasons businesses pursue corporate social responsibility.

Brand Recognition

According to a study published in the Journal of Consumer

Psychology, consumers are more likely to act favorably toward a
company that has acted to benefit its customers as opposed to
companies that have demonstrated an ability to delivery quality
products.3 Customers are increasingly becoming more aware of the
impacts companies can have on their community, and many now base
purchasing decisions on the CSR aspect of a business. As a company
engages more in CSR, it is more likely to receive favorable brand
recognition.

Investor Relations

In a study by Boston Consulting Group, companies that are

considered leaders in environmental, social, or governance matters
had an 11% valuation premium over their competitors.4 For
companies looking to get an edge and outperform the market,
enacting CSR strategies tends to improve how investors feel about an
organization and how they view the worth of the company.

Employee Engagement

Another study by professionals from Texas A&M, Temple, and the

University of Minnesota found that CSR-related aligning firms and
employees serve as non-financial job benefits that strengthen
employee retention.5 Workers are more likely to stick around a
company that they believe in. This in turn reduces employee turnover,
disgruntled workers, and the total cost of a new employee.

Risk Mitigation

By adhering to CSR practices, companies can mitigate risk by

avoiding troubling situations. This includes preventing adverse
activities such as discrimination against employee groups, disregard
for natural resources, or unethical use of company funds. This type of
activity is likely to lead to lawsuits, litigation, or legal proceedings
that may harm the company financially or expose it to negative news
headlines.

CSR strategies may be difficult to assess strategically because not all

benefits may be financially translatable back to the company. For
example, it might be very difficult to assess the positive impact to a
company's brand image that planting 1 million trees may have.

ISO 26000

In 2010, the International Organization for Standardization

(ISO) released ISO 26000, a set of voluntary standards meant to help
companies implement corporate social responsibility. Unlike other
ISO standards, ISO 26000 provides guidance rather than requirements
because the nature of CSR is more qualitative than quantitative, and
its standards cannot be certified.6

ISO 26000 clarifies what social responsibility is and helps

organizations translate CSR principles into practical actions. The
standard is aimed at all types of organizations, regardless of their
activity, size, or location. And because many key stakeholders from
around the world contributed to developing ISO 26000, this standard
represents an international consensus.6

Examples of Corporate Social Responsibility

Starbucks

Starbucks (SBUX) has long been known for its keen sense of
corporate social responsibility and commitment to sustainability and
community welfare. In its 2022 Environmental and Social Impact
Report, the coffee giant highlights taking care of its workforce and the
planet among its CSR priorities. Starbucks points to its investments in
its employees through stock grants and providing additional medical,
family, and educational benefits. In terms of environmental
sustainability, the company's goals include achieving 50% reductions
in greenhouse gas emission, water consumption, and waste by 2030.7
Home Depot

As part of its annual reporting on ESG, Home Depot (HD)

highlighted its achievements in focusing on its employees, operating
sustainably, and strengthening its communities. The company has
invested more than 1 million hours per year in training to help front-
line employees advance in their careers, aims to produce or procure
100% renewable energy to operate its facilities by 2030, and has plans
to spend $5 billion per year with diverse suppliers by 2025.8

General Motors

General Motors won the Sustainability Leadership Award from

Business Intelligence Group in 2022 and was among Diversity Inc.'s
top 50 companies for diversity for a seventh consecutive year in 2021.
According to its latest Sustainability Report, the automaker provided
$60 million in grants to more than 400 U.S. nonprofits focusing on
social issues, and it has agreements in place to use 100% renewable
electricity at its U.S. sites by 2025.9

Why Should a Company Implement CSR Strategies?

Many companies view CSR as an integral part of their brand image,

believing that customers will be more likely to do business with
brands that they perceive to be more ethical. In this sense, CSR
activities can be an important component of corporate public
relations. At the same time, some company founders are also
motivated to engage in CSR due to their convictions.

Why Is CSR Important?

The movement toward CSR has had an impact in several domains.

For example, many companies have taken steps to improve the
environmental sustainability of their operations, through measures
such as installing renewable energy sources or purchasing carbon
offsets. In managing supply chains, efforts have also been taken to
eliminate reliance on unethical labor practices, such as child labor and
slavery.
Although CSR programs have generally been most common among
large corporations, small businesses also participate in CSR through
smaller-scale programs, such as donating to local charities
and sponsoring local events.

What Are the Benefits of CSR?

CRS initiatives strive to have a positive impact on the world through

direct benefits to society, nature and the community in which a
business operations. In addition, a company may experience internal
benefits through the initiatives. Knowing their company is promoting
good causes, employee satisfaction may increase and retention of staff
may be strengthened. In addition, members of society may be more
likely to choose to transact with companies that are attempting to
make a more conscious positive impact beyond the scope of its
business.

What Are the 4 Types of CSR?

CSR initiatives are often broken down into four categories:

environmental, philanthropic, ethical, and economic responsibility.
Environmental initiatives focus on preservation of natural resources,
while philanthropic initiatives focus on donating to worthy causes that
may not relate to a business. Ethical responsibility ensures fair and
honest business operations, while economic responsibility promotes
the fiscal support of the goals above.

What Companies Have the Best CSR?

There is no single defining rubric for evaluating the CSR of all

companies. Various sources will review and compile rankings
differently. Since 1999, Corporate Responsibility Magazine has
ranked the top 100 Best Corporate Citizens each year among the
1,000 largest U.S. public companies. Rankings are determined based
on employee relations, environment impact, human rights,
governance, and financial decisions.
In 2022, the top five ranked companies on the list were Owens
Corning (OC), PepsiCo (PEP), Apple (AAPL), H.P. (HPQ), and Cisco
(CSCO).10

The Bottom Line

Companies striving to measure success beyond bottom-line financial

results may adopt corporate social responsibility strategies. These
strategies may target environmental, ethical, philanthropic, and fiscal
responsibility that extend beyond the products they sell. CSR aims to
make the world a better place beyond transacting with customers and
may result in company-specific benefits as well.

SPONSORED
What is Business Ethics
Business ethics involves applying a moral framework to the way companies do
business. They are also known as professional ethics. They deal with moral
principles and are based on the premise of right vs wrong or good vs bad. The
combination of business and ethics results in good ethical decision-making
practices in the workplace. Business ethics include doing what’s best for
employees, customers, stakeholders, as well as shareholders.

Business ethics are often codified into a set of rules or formal system; then, they
are openly adopted by people in that profession. Some examples of ethics in a
workplace may include time management, punctuality, transparency,
and confidentiality. The employees of an organization have no choice but to
follow the ethics of that particular organization.
Disclosing confidential information, misleading the client/patient, violating
intellectual property rights, bribery, insider trading, and biased hiring practices
are some examples of breaches of business ethics. Companies that focus mainly
on profits tend to have poor ethical practices. But this can put people’s privacy,
security, and livelihood at risk. Ultimately, poor business ethics can harm the
company in the long run.

What is Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR is the concept that a company should be
socially accountable to itself, its stakeholders, as well as the public. Corporate
social responsibility ensures that companies are conscious of the impact they
have on all aspects of society, including environmental, economic, and social
impacts. In other words, a company practicing CSR makes sure that its business
processes do not harm but benefit society and the surrounding environment. In
addition to improving the various aspects of society, CSR helps to promote a
positive brand image.
Corporate social responsibility has four main pillars: ethical responsibility,
environmental impact, philanthropic endeavors, and financial responsibilities.
Ethical responsibility is the pillar that ensures the company acts in a fair, ethical
manner. For example, fair treatment for all types of customers, positive
treatment for all employments, and hiring different suppliers from different
genders, races, or economic statuses, etc. Environmental responsibility involves
practices like reducing pollution and waste, recycling and minimizing negative
impacts on the environment. Philanthropic responsibility, on the other hand,
deals with how a company contributes to society; in simple words, how it uses
resources to make the world a better place. This includes factors like whether a
company donates to charities or charitable causes and whether it sponsors
fundraising events. Moreover, financial responsibility ties all three of the above
pillars together and deals with the financial aspects.

Difference Between Business Ethics and CSR

Definition
Business ethics are moral principles that act as a framework for the way a
company or business conducts itself and its transactions, while corporate social
responsibility is the concept that a company should be socially accountable to
itself, its stakeholders, as well as the public.

Nature
Moreover, business ethics is the combination of business and ethics, which
results in good ethical decision-making practices in the workplace, whereas
corporate social responsibility is more about a company’s obligations to society.

Impact
Business ethics mainly affect the employees, stakeholders, shareholders, and
consumers or clients of a company, but corporate social responsibility affects
the whole of society.

Conclusion
Business ethics and corporate social responsibility are two equally important
concepts in the context of business. The main difference between business
ethics and CSR is that business ethics mainly affects the employees,
stakeholders, shareholders, and consumers or clients of a company, but
corporate social responsibility affects the whole of society.
Some of the most common examples of CSR include:

Reducing carbon footprints.

Improving labor policies.

Participating in fairtrade.

Diversity, equity and inclusion.

Charitable global giving.

Community and virtual volunteering.

Corporate policies that benefit the environment.

Socially and environmentally conscious investments.

Examples of Corporate Social Responsibility in Action

Corporate social responsibility comes in many forms. Even the

smallest company can impact social change by making a
simple donation to a local food bank. Some of the most
common examples of CSR include:

 Reducing carbon footprints

 Improving labor policies
 Participating in fairtrade
 Diversity, equity and inclusion
 Charitable global giving
 Community and virtual volunteering
 Corporate policies that benefit the environment
 Socially and environmentally conscious investments

Millennials Want to See More Corporate Social Responsibility

To millennials and Generation Z, socially responsible

companies are even more important. They believe companies
should invest in improving society and look for solutions that
assist in those improvements.

Companies should share how they are trying to make a positive

impact on the world, so the public can see their pro-social
initiatives. Showcasing efforts is key so it’s important to
learn how to market to millennials because these efforts will
sway the choices they make as consumers.

Millennials also like to take part in initiatives such as volunteer

work or making donations. As ever more companies begin to
see the impact their socially and environmentally conscious
efforts have on a consumer’s perception, the more chance
there is that they will begin initiatives of their own.

Changing Corporate Social Responsibility Trends

Activism by millennials and, indeed, all generations will also

influence changing trends in CSR. You can expect to see
companies continue to take a public stand against on-the-job
harassment and discrimination thanks to the #metoo
movement. Diversity in the workplace will also continue to
expand to embrace people of all races, genders, cultures,
disabilities, and sexual orientations.

Diversity in the workplace will also continue to expand to

embrace people of all races, genders, cultures, disabilities, and
sexual orientations. Many brands are becoming more vocal and
showing their support for important social issues on social
media to great effect.

Companies will also find their own voices to speak out against
social injustice and policy changes that will negatively impact
the environment. Even policies to protect data privacy in an
ever changing environment can become part of the CSR trends
as more and more data breaches threaten personal
information.

In September 2022, Patagonia’s founder, Yvon Chouinard set a

new standard in environmental corporate leadership by giving
away the company and its future profits to fight climate
change.

“If we have any hope of a thriving planet – much less a thriving

business – 50 years from now, it is going to take all of us doing
what we can with the resources we have,” said
Chouinard. “This is another way we’ve found to do our part.”
Brands Doing it Right

1. Renewable Innovation: Johnson & Johnson

Map of Johnson & Johnson renewables footprint

An excellent example of CSR on the frontline is big pharma

pioneer Johnson & Johnson. They have focused on reducing
their impact on the planet for three decades. Their initiatives
range from leveraging the power of the wind to providing safe
water to communities around the world. Their purchase of a
privately-owned energy supplier in the Texas Panhandle
allowed the company to reduce pollution while providing a
renewable, economical alternative to electricity. The company
continues to seek out renewable energy options with the goal of
having 100% of its energy needs from renewable sources by
2025.

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2. Social issues: Google

Google is trusted not only for its environmentally friendly

initiatives but also due to its outspoken CEO, Sundar Pichai.
He stands up against social issues including President Donald
Trump’s anti-Muslim comments. Google also earned the
Reputation Institute’s highest CSR 2018 score much in part due
to their data centers using 50% less energy than others in the
world. They also have committed over $1 billion to renewable
energy projects and enable other businesses to reduce their
environmental impact through services such as Gmail.

3. Sustainability: Coca-Cola

Coca-Cola plant based bottle

As a brand, Coca-Cola is putting a huge focus on sustainability.

The key areas are climate, packaging and agriculture along
with water stewardship and product quality. Their message is ‘a
world without waste’, with the aim of collecting and recycling
every bottle, making their packaging 100% recyclable and
replacing all water used in creating their drinks back to the
environment to ensure water security. They aim that by 2030,
they will have reduced their carbon footprint by 25%.

In 2021, Coca-Cola unveiled its first-ever beverage bottle made

from 100% plant-based plastic. “Our goal is to develop
sustainable solutions for the entire industry, We want other
companies to join us and move forward, collectively. We don’t
see renewable or recycled content as areas where we want
competitive advantage,” said Dana Breed, Global R&D
Director, Packaging and Sustainability, The Coca-Cola
Company.

4. Carbon neutral & pay equity: Ford Motor Company

Ford has huge plans in the area of CSR. Their mission is to

‘build a better world, where everyone is free to move and
pursue their dreams’. They have increased investment in
electrification to $22Bn (from an original $11Bn) and aim for
their vehicles to be carbon neutral by 2050.

“We’re committed to carbon neutrality”, stated Bob Holycross,

Ford’s VP, Chief Sustainability, Environment & Safety Officer.
“It’s the right thing for our customers, the planet and Ford.
Ninety-five percent of our carbon emissions today come from
our vehicles, operations and suppliers, and we’re tackling all
three areas with urgency and optimism,”

Interestingly, the company is also focusing on pay equity. They

are conducting a diversity, equity and inclusion audit while
introducing a global salaried pay ratio (including gender) to
level the playing field for all employees.

5 & 6. Employee rights: Netflix & Spotify

From a social perspective, companies such as Netflix and
Spotify offer benefits to support their employees and families.

Netflix offers 52 weeks of paid parental leave to the birth parent

and non-birth parent (which includes adopted children). This
can be taken at any time whether it is the first year of the child's
life or another time that suits their needs. This compares to a
median of 18 weeks at other major tech companies.

Spotify offers a similar program, although for a shorter duration

of 24 weeks of paid leave. The company believes the launch of
this initiative resulted in a spike in external job
applications which has never abated.

When it comes to social causes, Netflix and Spotify use their

social media platforms to show support for movements such as
Pride month, environmental sustainability, and Black Lives
Matter. Netflix sets an example on how to target -and appeal to
- niche and minority audiences through clever social media.

7. Access to healthcare: Pfizer

When disaster strikes, emergency assistance in healthcare is

crucial. To aid in these circumstances, Pfizer has a three-
pronged approach; product donations, grants and solutions to
access.

Grants have been provided to countries such as Haiti in the

aftermath of Hurricane Matthew and the global refugee crisis in
Europe and the Middle East. This money is provided in
cooperation with NGOs to reach as many people as possible.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, through its Global Medical

Grants program, Pfizer provided $5 million to help improve the
recognition, diagnosis, treatment and management of patients.
In addition, grants were made available to clinics, medical
centers and hospitals to improve the management and
outcome of COVID-19 patients.
In 2022, Pfizer was named one of the most ethical companies
in the world by Ethisphere.

8. Philanthropic Donations: Wells Fargo

Wells Fargo donates up to 1.5% of its revenue to charitable

causes each year to more than 14,500 nonprofits through
philanthropy such as food banks and incubators (plant science
and renewable energy) to hasten the speed to market for start-
ups.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company

donated $6.25 million to support a domestic and global
response. This includes $1 million for the CDC Foundation,
$250,000 to the International Medical Corps across 30
countries, and $5 million for efforts at a local level to address
community needs.

9. Grassroots campaigns: TOMS

TOMS's mission is to donate a pair of shoes for every pair they

sell and this has resulted in the donation of over 100 million
pairs of shoes to children in need. These profits have been
used to assist the visually impaired by providing prescription
glasses and medical treatments, providing 'safe' drinking water
and building businesses in developing countries to create jobs.

Since the company came under criticism from NGOs for

creating a dependency on free shoes and collapsing local
shoe-making industries, TOMS has re-evaluated its strategy.
Instead of focusing on free shoes, the company now donates
one-third of its profits to grassroots campaigns. This includes
the COVID-19 Giving Fund and racial justice campaigns such
as Black Lives Matter.

“We learned that giving shoes, sight, and safe water for over a
decade was an amazing start— the right start — to creating
meaningful change. But, the decision to give impact grants
instead will enable our community to do even more. Rather
than giving shoes, we’re giving 1⁄3 of our profits. In other
words, $1 for every $3 we make, which is about as much as a
company can give while still keeping the lights on.” - TOMS
Impact Report 2019-2020.

10. Climate neutral: Bosch

Bosch set itself ambitious goals for protecting the environment,

with an aim to reduce their ecological footprint through climate
action, water usage, and a circular economy.

It seems this ambition has paid off and paved the way for other
global companies, as 400 of its locations are now climate
neutral. The company now wants to reduce upstream
(purchased goods and services) and downstream (product use)
emissions by 15% in 2030.

“Having achieved our initial targets for scopes 1 and 2, we are

now tackling scope 3 emissions with the same degree of rigor –
setting specific targets and milestones for the coming years.”
- Torsten Kallweit, Head of EHS AND Sustainability

11. Clean technology: GE

It's been over a decade since General Electric launched Ecomagination, its
renewable business strategy with a mission to double down on clean
technology and generate $20 billion in revenue from green products.

As part of its ‘Ecomagination Challenge’ launched last year, GE awarded

five people $100,000 each to develop their innovations such as an
inflatable wind turbine, an intelligent water meter, a cyber secure network
infrastructure, and short-circuiting and outage technology.

12. Workplace diversity & inclusion: Starbucks

Starbucks diversity hires

With an eye to hiring, Starbucks wanted to diversify its workforce and

provide opportunities for specific cohorts. It has pledged to hire 25,000 US
military veterans and spouses by 2025 as part of its socially responsible
efforts. Ahead of schedule, the company reached this milestone six years
early and now hires 5,000 veterans and military spouses every year.

To tackle racial and social equity, Starbucks announced a mentorship

program to connect black, indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) to
senior leaders and invest in partnerships. The chain also aims to have
BIPOC represented at 30% in corporate roles and 40% in retail and
manufacturing by 2025.

Read: ‘Digital Accessibility: What Marketers Need to Know’ to find out how
you can make your marketing activities more accessible.

13. Sustainability: New Belgium Brewing Company

This brewing company owned entirely by its employees through a stock

ownership plan is focused on sustainability. Its Fort Collins, Colorado
brewery produces its electricity through solar panels and wastewater and
aims to have all its beer carbon neutral by 2030. It also gives away $1 of
every barrel sold to support their philanthropic initiatives, values and goals.
According to the Director of CSR, Katie Wallace: “We consider social and
environmental well-being to be intricately intertwined.”
14. Local communities: The Walt Disney Company

Disney committed to reducing its carbon footprint in its 2020 CSR

report with goals for zero net greenhouse gas emissions, zero waste, and a
commitment to conserve water. They are actively ensuring strict
international labor policies to protect the safety and rights of their
employees.

They are also active in the community and encourage employees to do the
same. When their parks closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Disney
focused their CSR efforts on local communities. They provided $27 million
towards food donations and PPE from closed parks and production sets
and encouraged employees to participate in virtual volunteering.

15. Packaging: LEGO

LEGO sustainability commitments

Lego will invest $400 million over the next three years with a focus on
accelerating its efforts in the area of sustainability. Their primary focus as
a modern-day superbrand is to phase out single-use plastic packaging for
its bricks with all packaging to be sustainable by 2025. From 2021 on they
will trial paper bags in boxes in partnership with the Forest Stewardship
Council. They are also investing in more sustainable products that create
zero waste and are carbon neutral.
LEGO Group CEO, Niels B Christiansen said: “We cannot lose sight of the
fundamental challenges facing future generations. It’s critical we take
urgent action now to care for the planet and future generations. As a
company that looks to children as our role models, we are inspired by the
millions of kids who have called for more urgent action on climate change.”

16. . Social media & journalism: The Washington Post

In the wake of fake news, news outlets are taking to social media
networks like TikTok to address a new audience and tackle false
information around issues such as the U.S election and coronavirus.

The Washington Post is one example of a news brand using TikTok

successfully. Their tagline is ‘We are a Newspaper’ and their TikTok profile
already has 1 million followers (and growing). Their goal? To draw in new
readers and build trust using short-form videos and viral content.

According to Dave Jorgensen, the Post’s social media guru, the rapid rise
of TikTok is down to the fact that the platform has increased the trust
between the paper and its followers. He believes that TikTok is journalism
in every sense. “Pretty much every other TikTok has something news
related in it and with that we are delivering news to the users. That’s what
journalism is – delivering news however you are able to in a responsible
way.”
Top 15 Corporate Social Responsibility Companies in India
– Complete List
 admin
 June 21, 2022
In today’s times, making a profit is no longer the only goal of
businesses. Companies are increasingly understanding their
responsibility as an integral component of societal structure and
trying to put their best foot forward as Corporate Social
Responsibility Companies by contributing effectively towards
climate change, economic inequality, and other important social
issues that affect communities globally at large.
 In reality, consumers started to understand about the
importance of corporate social responsibility.
 From the company’s perspective, there are plenty of
benefits of corporate social responsibility – gaining
consumer attention and supporting the environment are
the major benefits of CSR.
 In this decade, CSR activities incorporate high attention
from companies. For example: in the year 2011, only 20%
of the S&P index-listed companies published a CSR
Report. In the year 2019, around 90% of the S&P index-
listed companies published a CSR report.
Table of Contents
 What is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
o Corporate Social Responsibility Examples
o Importance of Corporate Social Responsibility
Companies
o Advantages of being a CSR company in India
o Trends in Corporate Social Responsibility
o Top 15 Corporate Social Responsibility
Companies in India
 1. Infosys
 2. Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.
 3. Tata Chemicals Ltd.
 4. Reliance Industries
 5. Wipro Ltd.
 6. Hindustan Unilever Limited
  7. Vedanta Limited
 8. ITC Ltd.
 9. Tata Consultancy Services
 10. The Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd.
 11. Godrej Consumer Products Ltd.
 12. UltraTech Cement Ltd.
 13. Tech Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.
 14. Grasim Industries Ltd.
 15. Apollo Tyres Ltd.
o Ending Note
o Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
 What is Corporate Social Responsibility?
 What are examples of Corporate Social
Responsibility?
 What is the importance of Corporate
Social Responsibility?
 Which companies qualify for CSR in India?
 Which are the top Corporate Social
Responsibility companies of India?

What is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR is the voluntary

activities taken up by business organizations to make impactful
positive differences in the society and environment keeping
aside their primary objective of making a profit.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) involves transformative

activity enforced by the Government for corporate enterprises
in India. CSR projects in India are a constructive step forward
towards societal upliftment as an important activity aimed at the
collective well-being of the
entire community.

CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) enables both large and

small enterprises to make a positive difference in society. It is
when a company chooses to do the right thing not just for their
profit growth but also to establish consumer trust by
contributing positively and effectively to the betterment of
society at large.

Many organizations nowadays are undertaking substantial

Corporate Social Responsibility projects, with many
businesses devoting C-level executive positions or an entire
department solely dedicated to carrying out social and
environmental activities under CSR projects in India. These
executives are called Chief Officers of Corporate Social
Responsibility or Chief Sustainability Officers (CSO).
While CSR can take different forms depending upon individual
organizational goals, the prime objective of all Corporate
Social Responsibility companies remains the same which is to
do well by doing good. Companies that practice corporate
social responsibility strive to preserve profitability while also
contributing greatly to society and the environment.

It is a more futuristic and responsible approach adopted by the

companies to help build the trust and loyalty of the customers
who view them as organizations with a heart which in turn goes
a long way in attracting and retaining customers.

Corporate Social Responsibility helps build customer trust by

caring about causes like Earth Day, raising awareness, and
encouraging social change. Despite the fact that thousands of
businesses are contributing, the activities of huge multinational
firms have far-reaching consequences that can affect global
concerns ranging from hunger and health to global warming
and climate change.

On the other hand, customers believe that by purchasing a

product or service from a socially responsible firm, they too are
contributing to a positive social environment. The more socially
responsible a company is, the more supportive its community
and customers will be.

Corporate Social Responsibility Examples

There are many different types and examples of Corporate

Social Responsibility. By making a little contribution in the form
of donations to a local food bank, even the tiniest business can
make a huge difference in this world. The following are some of
the most popular examples of Corporate Social Responsibility
taken up by the organizations under the CSR project list:-

 Environmental-friendly business practices

 Improving Labor Policies
 Lowering carbon footprints
 Fair Trade participation
 Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
 Community Volunteering and Virtual Volunteering
 Global donation for the charitable purpose
 Importance of Corporate Social Responsibility Companies

Companies that support social concerns and environmental

activities have a better and more favorable image among
consumers to astonishingly to the tune of 92 percent.

Corporate Social Responsibility promotes trust, raises

awareness, and promotes social change. Although tens of
thousands of businesses are contributing, the activities of giant
multinational firms have far-reaching consequences that can
affect key global concerns ranging from hunger and health to
global warming.

As these Corporate Social Responsibility Companies

demonstrate their valuable social and environmental
responsibility and commitment for long-term CSR projects, the
consumers, in turn, develop a sense of trust and loyalty
towards them. And this helps the organizations expand and
flourish. It also helps them face global issues by learning from
these efforts and implementing a values-driven approach to
business.

Moreover, the millennials and Generation Z desire to see more

socially responsible companies with robust CSR projects. They
think that businesses should also invest in improving society
and seek out ways to become catalysts for change governing
policies regarding society, the environment and ecosystem.

Millennials enjoy participating in activities such as charitable

donations and voluntary work. As more businesses realize the
benefit of social and environmental activities as valuable efforts
in the perception of the audience, more likely they will initiate
their own CSR projects to become successful and responsible
Corporate Social Responsibility Companies in India.

Additionally, Corporate Social Responsibility Companies should

communicate well about how they are attempting to have a
beneficial influence on the world for the customers to see their
pro-social activities. Showcasing the efforts towards CSR
projects is important since these efforts influence the decisions
of the consumers.
So, it can be analysed that there are the following key
advantages of corporate social responsibilities (CSR):

 It helps the company to increase their sales – because

customers tend to respect those companies who fulfill their
environmental-related duties.
 An organization can experience better financial
performance – because the corporate social responsibility
activities by an organization increase its market presence.
 Corporate social responsibility activities can increase the
organizational cost of the companies but it is necessary to
bear this cost in order to support the environment.
Advantages of being a CSR company in India

CSR helps organizations in many ways:

 Corporate Social Responsibility Companies have a better

public image and brand value in the eyes of consumers
through their impactful contribution towards the betterment
of society and environmental-friendly policies and
practices.
  CSR activities help in enhancing the trust and loyalty of
the consumers which eventually increases the brand value
of the company bringing along higher sales and profits.
 CSR projects taken up by Corporate Social Responsibility
Companies attract a lot of media attention and coverage
which serves as a great promotional activity for the
organization and helps in building up their reputation as a
socially empathetic and environment-friendly organization.
 It also provides a competitive edge to Corporate Social
Responsibility Companies to stand out from the crowd.
Therefore it is highly critical to promote these CSR projects in
the eyes of millennials to positively influence their purchasing
decision. By learning Digital Marketing strategies to promote
and advertise your company’s CSR projects you too can make
a huge difference to have a positive impact on the business as
well as society.

Trends in Corporate Social Responsibility

Many Corporate Social Responsibility companies are becoming

more outspoken and displaying their support for major social
causes on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and
Instagram, which proves to bring significant changes and
impacts the society.

You can also read about, 10 most Effective Techniques for

Promotion Plan in Bussiness
Workplace diversity will continue to broaden so as to include
people of all ethnicities, genders, cultures, impairments, and
sexual orientations. Companies will continue to take a public
stance against workplace harassment and discrimination.

Corporate Social Responsibility Companies will also find their

own voices to speak out against social injustice and legislative
changes that are harmful to the environment. As more and
more data breaches jeopardize personal information,
regulations to preserve data privacy in an ever-changing
environment may also become part of CSR project lists.

Top 15 Corporate Social Responsibility Companies in India

This ranking is based on the Corporate Social Responsibility companies total CSR funds,
spending patterns, performance, and expenditure in relation to the responsibility matrix, ESG
performance, and how CSR companies incorporate Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into
their responsible business operations and also displays companies with highest CSR fund
company list in India.

1. Infosys

Infosys is one of the best examples of Corporate Social Responsibility companies. As a

prominent software firm, Infosys offers superior education programs to its citizens, enhancing
their IT skills and competency. They are concerned about the prudent use of natural resources
and feel that the usage of energy has a direct influence on the environment.

As the nodal agency for project implementation, Infosys Foundation primarily collaborates with
non-governmental organizations.

The highlights of the Infosys Foundation’s CSR projects list include the following:
  The introduction of the Aarohan Social Innovation Awards
 GoSports Foundation for access and excellence in sports
 Restoration of water bodies in Karnataka
 Disaster relief efforts in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala
Among the major CSR activities in the fiscal year, 2019-20 were the establishment of a 100-bed
quarantine in Bengaluru in collaboration with Narayana Health City, as well as another with 182
beds for COVID-19 patients for Bowring and Lady Curzon Medical College & Research Institute.

It also spent roughly Rs. 360 crores on different CSR initiatives out of which the major spending
was made predominantly for COVID-19 humanitarian work, along with education and other
health-related projects.

2. Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

Mahindra & Mahindra is another CSR company in India that offers one of the best CSR projects
in India. M&M best affirms its commitment to the welfare of the community, workers, and
stakeholders by always supporting the advancement of the quality of life, education, and health.

 “Rise for good,” is one of their most recent CSR programs that benefit kids, girls, and
farmers. The company is dedicated to conducting its operations with honesty and
responsibility.
  When it comes to spearheading the push for climate change action and sustainable
business practices, no other Corporate Social Responsibility Indian companies come
close to Mahindra & Mahindra.
 During the fiscal year 2018-19, the firm spent INR 93.50 crores on CSR projects. The
motive is based on sustainability.
In 1996, Mr Anand Mahindra launched CSR Project Nanhi Kali, which grew to become India’s
largest CSR initiative for girls’ education. The organization not only provides free education to
low-income girls from rural and urban areas but also empowers their families. The success
stories become even more compelling when you see how the same girls who benefited from
Nanhi Kali are growing up and giving back to the program by mentoring younger females.

The organization collaborates closely with non-profits such as the Naandi Foundation, which
provides daily meals to nearly 1.3 million government school children. Naandi also helps small-
holder farmers to develop more environmental-friendly farming techniques thus contributing
heavily towards CSR projects in India as trustworthy Corporate Social Responsibility companies
in India.

3. Tata Chemicals Ltd.

Tata Chemicals Ltd is yet another top CSR company in India, dedicated to assisting the national
and local people in their region of business. Their CSR project initiative
named BEACON highlights their focus, which is further defined as:

• Blossom: Native handicrafts promotion and development

•Enhance: Improving overall living quality

•Aspire: Education and occupational skill development

•Conserve: Investing in biodiversity, natural resource management, and climate change

mitigation for increased environmental sustainability.

•Nurture: Health care, sanitation, and clean drinking water

Tata Chemicals founded the Tata Chemicals Organization for Rural Development (TCSRD) as a
society and trust in 1980. It emphasizes the spirit of participatory development by integrating
beneficiaries at each level of the development process, ensuring the program’s feasibility and
sustainability.

Tata Chemicals’ business philosophy revolves around improving people’s quality of life and
supporting sustainable and integrated development in the areas where it operates.

As one of the major Corporate Social Responsibility companies in India, Tata Chemicals invests
INR 12 crores in CSR each year, with wildlife conservation accounting for 30% of the TCSRD’s
budget. All these activities serve as corporate social responsibility examples of a CSR company.
The funds are spread over the company’s three locations:-

 Mithapur in Gujarat
 Haldia in West Bengal
  Babrala in Uttar Pradesh.

4. Reliance Industries

RIL is also among the top Corporate Social Responsibility companies list with the high CSR fund
and spend. Its CSR projects in India include health, education, rural transformation, sports
development, disaster relief, arts, culture, heritage, and urban redevelopment.

Highlights of RIL’ s CSR projects contributing towards rural transformation are as follows which
serve as examples of Corporate Social Responsibility in India:-

 75 % of the villages covered by the water secure program

 75 % of the families covered by the program food secure
 77 %of farmers reported an increase in farm income
 83 % of farmers reported a reduction in farm implement input costs
 80 % of children studying in Anganwadi schools had better nutrition
 75 % of fisherfolk reported better outcomes as a result of RIL CSR advisory.
5. Wipro Ltd.

Wipro’s CSR projects in India are implemented through a variety of channels including

 Wipro Foundation, a distinct trust established in 2010

 Wipro Cares, a trust for contributions towards the employees
 Directly under Wipro Ltd.
Wipro’s implementation strategy is to predominantly engage with partners that have a track
record of success in their respective fields. The vast majority of CSR projects are multi-year
multi-million dollar endeavours.

Wipro’s involvement in primary health care spans six initiatives in four states, affecting the lives
of almost 70,000 individuals. Aside from providing regular health services, their emphasis is on
increasing community capacity in terms of increased awareness and self-reliance in meeting
their own primary health care requirements.

In terms of disaster management, Wipro has assisted in the reconstruction of lives devastated by
the Karnataka Floods, Bihar Floods, Odisha Floods, Japan Tsunami, Hurricane Sandy, and the
Philippines Cyclone which are the major examples of Corporate Social Responsibility in India by
any CSR company.

6. Hindustan Unilever Limited

Hindustan Unilever Limited, also known as Unilever or HUL is also among giant Corporate Social
Responsibility companies in India with one of the best CSR projects in India.

It operates on the USLP model (Unilever Sustainable Living Plan) and its famous Adult
Literacy Program (ALP) also operates under the same USLP model.

Their CSR projects strategy unveiled in 2010 is aimed at generating long-term development
through the company’s world-famous brands while also minimizing expenses, lowering risks, and
increasing goodwill.

Over the years, HUL has spent more than the required 2% of earnings. In fiscal 2020, it spent a
massive Rs. 142 crores on CSR. The company’s CSR funds are used to address challenges that
are impeding India’s growth and development.

It has had a tremendous success rate in water-saving projects as well as prominently addressing
health and hygiene concerns at the grassroots level. HUL has contributed around INR 100 crores
to assist the Indian government in its fight against COVID-19.

USLP has three major goals for CSR projects in India :

 To minimize the environmental impact of its goods

 To improve people’s livelihoods by helping them grow their businesses
 To assist over a billion people in taking action to improve their health and well-being.

7. Vedanta Limited
CSR company, Vedanta Limited not only promotes agricultural and rural development, but also
has a number of CSR activities concentrating on water, energy, and carbon management.

Vedanta Ltd. has many business companies under it namely Hindustan Zinc (HZL), Cairn Oil &
Gas, Electro steels Steel, Sesa Iron Ore Business, and Vedanta Aluminum.

This Corporate Social Responsibility company with one of the best CSR projects in India is
becoming increasingly devoted to green mining.

 It has embraced various modern technology to optimize water use, increase energy
production, mitigate climate change, and conserve diversity.
 Vedanta, as one of the major Corporate Social Responsibility companies, has created
1,653 units of renewable energy sources.
 Its solar power projects are being commissioned to provide 22 MW of power, focusing on
its sustainability pillars of zero damage, zero waste, and zero discharge.

 Approximately 92 percent of high-volume low-impact wastes such as fly ash, slag, and
recycled Jarosite. 8. ITC Ltd.

ITC balances its twin goal of offering stakeholder and social value enhancement by crafting CSR
initiatives aimed at societal sustainability. Some of its notable initiatives are in the country’s
agriculture industry.

 This Corporate Social Responsibility company is a large conglomerate that contributes

significantly to rural development.
  ITC’s famous CSR project e-Choupal is the company’s long-running flagship CSR
initiative that has established the gold standard in worldwide community development
circles.
 Not only has ITC Choupal touched lakhs of farmers through digital literacy and economic
empowerment over the years, but it has also been imitated by hundreds of other
corporates for social welfare in their own communities as a major CSR project in India.
ITC’s Corporate Social Responsibility in India examples includes education, environmental
protection, sustainable agriculture, healthcare, digital literacy, sports, and culture are all active
social programs under CSR projects in India for this Corporate Social Responsibility Company. It
spent around Rs. 326.49 crores on CSR programs in 2019-20.

Furthermore, the Company’s significant agricultural operations aid in empowering millions of

farmers. ITC is an emblem of environmental stewardship due to its outstanding environmental
criteria in all of its activities, construction of vast forestry and water resources, and a renewable
energy portfolio accounting for more than 41 per cent of total energy consumption which comes
under major Corporate Social Responsibility examples in India.

9. Tata Consultancy Services

 Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has a strong commitment to corporate social

responsibility, drawing on the tradition of the Tata Group, which values society, the
environment, and its workers.
 TCS leverages its foresight in information technology to deliver literacy programs that are
best in class.
  The Adult Literacy Program (ALP) has saved many rural people from the plague of
illiteracy. ALP went into effect in 18 states last year.
As a top Corporate Social Responsibility company, TCS received the PMI India Award for
Community Contribution, the SABERA Award, and the Internet & Mobile Association of India’s
prestigious award India Digital Award for Best Use of Technology to Drive CSR in India.

Tata Consultancy Services’ CSR Initiatives include:

Purpose4Life: It is an IT services firm that has started a volunteer initiative for its workers.
Through this, their workers may make a difference by volunteering 10 hours each year.

TCS Maitree: TCS has offered advanced training sessions for those who are visually challenged.

You might also like, What is IGTV and How to Utilize it Effectively in Business?

10. The Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd.

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) is operated by the Government of India and is also
one of the top Corporate Social Responsibility companies of India. The company’s fundamental
activities are interwoven with CSR. Through its active engagement in the energy industry, Bharat
Petroleum Corporation contributes to the growth of India. Its long-term commitments span urban,
semi-urban, rural, and tribal communities.

They contributed a total of INR 4.27 crores from their salary. The PSU organised ‘Swachhta
Pakhwada 2020’ from July 1 to 15, 2020 as part of its corporate social responsibility for COVID-
19 assistance. This unique project aided the Indian government’s Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
Under the banner of “supporting excellent education,” the focus of BPCL CSR is on teaching
comprehensive education, ideally using technology, in addition to providing suitable infrastructure
facilities, facilitating access to education, and improving education systems.

BPCL’s CSR projects include construction and upkeep of toilets, associated sanitation facilities,
and Waste Management activities that promote general community health and cleanliness as
major Corporate Social Responsibility companies of India.

11. Godrej Consumer Products Ltd.

Godrej Consumer Products Ltd. (GCPL) is also one of the top Corporate Social Responsibility
companies of India. It spent Rs. 19.49 crore on CSR projects for the fiscal year 2019-20. Some
of the areas of focus for its major corporate social responsibility activities include disease
prevention, waste management, and livelihood with a focus on women.

As a major CSR company, it is collaborating with the Government of India to eradicate malaria by
2030. GCPL’s CSR project is known as EMBED (Elimination of Mosquito Borne Endemic
Diseases). It collaborates with the government and non-governmental organizations in Madhya
Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh to implement rigorous behavior change.

GCPL implements community waste management programs based on circular economy ideas as
part of its CSR efforts. Collaborations with the Hyderabad and Kalyan-Dombivali Municipal
Corporations, a partnership with the Pondicherry Municipal Corporation, and another with a
social enterprise in Guwahati for recycling plastic trash into fuel are among the initiatives.
GCPL is collaborating with an Assamese non-profit that recycles forest and agricultural waste to
make briquettes (used as biofuel). The purpose of these waste management programs is to keep
50 metric tonnes of rubbish out of landfills every day.

12. UltraTech Cement Ltd.

UltraTech Cement Ltd has a long-term objective of developing a self-sufficient and sustainable
community. Their CSR projects are focused on providing educational and healthcare facilities, as
well as fostering sustainable livelihood and capacity building.

 Long before the famous rule was implemented, UltraTech dominated the CSR field as
the top Corporate Social Responsibility company in India.
 In the fiscal year 2019-20, Ultratech Cement invested Rs. 125 crores in CSR initiatives.
Employees of the company volunteered for a total of 53,364 hours.
 They operate community programs in 502 communities near their facilities, affecting over
1.6 million people’s lives.
 Over 80 of these settlements have already been designated as model communities.
 During the COVID-19 epidemic wreaking havoc on livelihoods, their staff in 50
manufacturing sites throughout India stepped up to give aid to affected individuals by
distributing meals, shopping packages, masks, sanitizers, and PPE kits.
The industry recognizes Ultratech Cement’s commitment to social and relational capital. At the
CSR Summit and Awards, the company’s Birla White facility in Kharia got the ‘Best CSR
Practice Award‘ 2019, in the cement industry, as well as the Golden Peacock Award in the
cement sector.

At the FAME Best CSR Awards 2019, Kotputli Cement Works received the ‘Platinum’ award for
‘Excellence in Livelihood Creation.’ Madhya Pradesh Chambers of Commerce & Industry
awarded Vikram Cement Works the Award for ‘Excellence in CSR Activities’ in the ‘Large
Enterprise’ category (FMPCCI). These are just a few examples of Corporate Social
Responsibility.

13. Tech Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.

Tech Mahindra, a subsidiary of the Mahindra Group, is an IT firm that uses technology for the
greater good. Tech Mahindra being one among Corporate Social Responsibility Indian
Companies believes in the notion of social and relational capital, which is developed through
CSR initiatives in collaboration with communities, government elementary schools, and non-
governmental organizations.

Students and youngsters are given the same weightage as other external stakeholders. The
foundation of this organization is a shared vision of the greater good. People at Tech Mahindra
Foundation, the company’s CSR project section provide societal benefits through CSR actions
and activities.

The flagship CSR program SMART (Skills for Market Training) empowers children by teaching
them in-demand skills. The Foundation thinks that disability may be used to enhance one’s
abilities. They are working in the areas of education and skill development for children and
teenagers with disabilities, with the goal of building an inclusive world and giving a life of dignity
and confidence as a major CSR project in India.
14. Grasim Industries Ltd.

Grasim Industries, a subsidiary of the Aditya Birla Group is also one of the major CSR
companies in India. Grasim’s overall CSR spending was Rs. 47.14 crore. This amount was used
to finance CSR programmes with a total of 7,12,140 direct and indirect beneficiaries.

The Halol unit received the 2019 Global CSR Excellence and Leadership Award from the World
CSR Congress. Grasim’s Jagdishpur facility received Asia’s Best CSR Practices Award 2018-
19 from CMO Asia.

The company’s CSR effort is overseen by the Aditya Birla Center for Community Initiatives and
Rural Development, which is chaired by Rajashree Birla. The Center provides strategic guidance
to the CSR team and oversees performance management.

Grasim’s CSR projects in India involve the management and operation of hospitals and schools
in the neighboring community. The organization offers a child immunization program as well as a
prenatal and postnatal care program.

15. Apollo Tyres Ltd.

Being one of the major Corporate Social Responsibility companies, Apollo Tyres ltd. has many
CSR projects under it. Its CSR activities are generally separated into two broad categories:

 Environment and social responsibility

 Health and Community Development
These projects adhere to a well-defined methodology in order to meet the essential criteria of the
specified stakeholders. The program’s nature differs in each place, based on the identification of
a need.

Preventive healthcare for truck drivers is a one-of-a-kind effort by the tire manufacturer. Apollo
Tyres maintains 32 healthcare centers in transshipment hubs across 19 different states in India
as part of its CSR program. The primary health programs for the truck driver population include
HIV/AIDS prevention and awareness, vision care, TB integration, and other non-communicable
illnesses including diabetes and hypertension.

It has various CSR projects such as Clean My Transport Nagar, Clean My Village, Sanitation
Management, and End of Life Tyre Playgrounds to name a few. The firm also contributes to the
‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.’

As one of the major top Corporate Social Responsibility companies in India, Apollo Tyres is also
involved in a number of environmental conservation efforts both internationally and locally. The
Corporate Social Responsibility examples of Apollo Tyres include the conservation of Kannur
mangroves in the state of Kerala and afforestation in Tamil Nadu.

Ending Note

India has entered a revolutionary era with the active

participation of major Indian MNC’s in establishing CSR
projects, policies, and activities. These efforts are a significant
driving factor for collaborative growth and development on both
the company and social levels.

It is critical for companies of all sizes to pay attention to utilizing

corporate social responsibility to safeguard the environment
and commit to enhancing the quality of life for the communities
they influence on a daily basis.

CSR projects undertaken by corporate social responsibility

companies draw the attention of the consumers as well
ultimately influencing their purchase decision and building trust
in the company. As customers think that by purchasing a
product or service from a socially responsible company, they
also become a part of the positive drive.

The Corporate Social Responsibility Companies list mentioned

above in this article would have made you understand the
importance of CSR projects and activities and why the
companies view them as an integral part of their businesses.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Corporate Social Responsibility?

Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR is voluntary

transformative activities taken up by business organizations to
make impactful positive differences in the society and
environment keeping aside their primary objective of making a
profit.

This turns out to be an effective and powerful measure to build

the trust of the company in the eyes of the consumers who
proudly look up to them as an organization with hearts. This
ultimately helps CSR companies with increased sales as
consumers also like to get associated with trustworthy
companies with robust CSR projects.
The CSR projects for each organization vary from each other
ranging from upliftment of poverty, education, sanitation, waste
management, supporting agricultural practices, adopting
environmental-friendly practices and so on.

What are examples of Corporate Social Responsibility?

Corporate Social Responsibility examples under CSR projects

include activities such as:

 Environmental-friendly business practices

 Improving Labor Policies
 Lowering carbon footprints
 Fair Trade participation
 Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
 Community Volunteering and Virtual Volunteering
 Global donation for charitable purposes
What is the importance of Corporate Social Responsibility?

CSR helps organizations in many ways:

 Corporate Social Responsibility Companies have a better

public image and brand value in the eyes of consumers
through their impactful contribution towards the betterment
of society and environmental-friendly policies and
practices.
 CSR activities help in enhancing the trust and loyalty of
the consumers which eventually increases the brand value
of the company bringing along higher sales and profits.
 CSR projects taken up by Corporate Social Responsibility
Companies attract a lot of media attention and coverage
which serves as a great promotional activity for the
organization and helps in building up their reputation as a
socially empathetic and environment-friendly organization.
  It also provides a competitive edge to Corporate Social
Responsibility Companies to stand out from the crowd.
Which companies qualify for CSR in India?

Corporate Social Responsibility applies to every Indian

company and all its subsidiaries and holding companies with a
net worth of more than 500 crores, turnover of 1000 crores and
net profit of more than 5 crores under section 135(1) by Govt.
of India.

Which are the top Corporate Social Responsibility companies of

India?

The top Corporate Social Responsibility companies of India

include the names of Indian business giants such as:

1. Infosys
2. Tata Chemicals
3. Wipro
4. Mahindra & Mahindra
5. Reliance Industries
6. Hindustan Unilever Ltd.
7. ITC Ltd.
8. Vedanta Ltd.
9. TCS
10. BPCL