Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Human Rights

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

• CSR is a certification that companies can achieve to demonstrate their commitment to social responsibility.
• The UN Global Compact aims to mainstream the ten principles of CSR in business activities worldwide and catalyze actions in support of broader UN goals.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights

• The UN Global Compact is based on four key principles: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Labor Organization's Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development, and the United Nations Convention Against Corruption.

Advantages of Standards

• Standards provide orientation for people.
• They create a level playing field, ensuring everyone abides by the same rules.
• They allow stakeholders to have an impact on company policies through stakeholder pressure.
• They create isomorphism, making it easier for outsiders to judge a company's success.
• They guarantee business benefits if companies abide by the standards.
• They allow companies to participate more in risk-taking.

Critiques of the UN Global Compact

• It is criticized for being too bureaucratic.
• It is accused of being hypocritical, allowing companies to present a positive image without actually making changes.
• There is a lack of monitoring and enforcement, allowing companies to sign up without committing to follow the principles.
• The UN Global Compact has been criticized for allowing known human rights, labor, and environmental violators to join.

Globalization

• Globalization can be defined as "the process during which an outside world permeates an inside world."
• There are three types of globalization:
  • Uranian/cosmological globalization: the idea of perfect rounds, globes, or spheres.
  • Terrestrial globalization: the discovery of the seven seas and the exploration of the world.
  • Foam-world globalization: the idea that spheres constantly burst, creating a foam world.

Business Ethics

• Business ethics is grounded in analytical philosophy.
• The book aims to bridge the gap between continental philosophy and analytical philosophy.
• The is-ought fallacy occurs when we assume that something ought to be the case because it is the case.
• There are concerns about the huge income gaps between CEOs and other employees within the same business.

Philosophical Perspectives

• Jonas argues that morality is emotional, but not necessarily singular.
• He believes that responsibility is an emotion, but it is also rational and necessary for morality.
• Whistleblowing is driven by a sense of responsibility, which is cultivated by being part of a healthy community.
• Jonas emphasizes the importance of a global sense of responsibility.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Controversy

• CSR is a controversial term due to its fleeting significance.
• The meaning of CSR is often enigmatic and difficult to define.
• Business concerns about CSR are often practical, focusing on how to implement it rather than what it is.

Learn about Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) certification and its connection to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the UN Global Compact.