CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

(Ameinfo, 2005) - Often CSR is thought to be nothing more than a cynical public relations opportunity, a way
for Mega Corporations to gloss over its dumping of chemicals into a nature reserve by spending a few dollars on
a youth center.
Bowen (1953) as cited by Carroll (2006) - It refers to the obligation of businessman to pursue those policies,
to make those decisions, or to follow those lines of action which are desirable in terms of the objectives and
values of the society”
- publication of Bowen’s book “Social Responsibilities of the Businessman” is argued to be the mark
of the modern period of literature on this subject
- Carroll submits that Howard Bowen should be called the “Father of Corporate Social Responsibility”
- Bowen argued in his book that corporate social responsibility is no panacea, but it contains an important
truth that must guide business in the future
Carrol (2006) - it was referred more often as social responsibility (SR) than CSR, because during those days
the modern corporation’s prominence and dominance in the business sector had not yet occurred.
Davis (1960) - social responsibility is a nebulous idea
- some socially responsible business decisions can be justified by a long, complicated process of
reasoning as having a good chance of bringing long-run economic gain to the firm, thus paying it back
for its socially responsible outlook.
Frederick (1960) - businessman should oversee the operation of an economic system that fulfils the
expectation of the public
- the economy’s means of production should be employed in such a way that production and
distribution should enhance total socio-economic welfare

McGuire (1963) - “The idea of social responsibility supposes that the corporation has not only economic and
legal obligations but also certain responsibilities to society which extend beyond these obligations”. He
elaborated by saying that the corporation must take an interest in politic, in the welfare of the community, in
education, in the happiness of its employees and in the whole social world about it.
Davis and Blomstrom (1966) - person’s obligation to consider the effects of his decisions and actions on
the whole social system.
- consider the needs and interest of others who may be affected by the business actions; they look
beyond their firm’s narrows technical interest.
- Davis (1967) - “Social responsibility moves large one step further by emphasizing institutional actions
and their effect on the whole social system; total system’s view
Walton (1967) - different models of social responsibility
- the intimacy of the relationships between the corporation and the society
- relationships must be kept in mind by top managers as the corporation and the related groups pursue
their respective goals
Johnson (1971) - pursuit of socioeconomic goals through the elaboration of social norms in prescribed
business roles
- business takes place within a socio-cultural system that outlines through norms and
business roles
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Manne & Wallich (1972) - three elements:
To qualify as socially responsible corporate action; first, a business expenditure or activity must be one for which
the marginal returns to the corporation are less than the returns available from some alternative expenditure;
second, must be purely voluntarily; and third, must be an actual corporate expenditure rather than a conduit for
individual generosity.