CSR or corporate social responsibility is the term that has been a topic of debate for quite some time.

Mind you that the debate is not about if doing good things is mischievous. It’s about whether CSR is

really meant to do good or has ulterior motives. But first what is CSR? CSR is a way a corporate divulges

its funds, time, and commitment to social issues near its location or on a global scale. So, the question

becomes is the CSR of company is really meant to curve pressing social issues or merely a face lift for the

company.

In my opinion, CSR is a good initiative and something that has more pros than cons. This is

especially true if you are from a third world country and can’t rely much on the government. Most houses

for the elderly and the mentally ill citizens are built by companies, mind you this companies are not huge

as those in the western countries that command in billions. But still, they do a lot for their community.

One of these companies I admire on their CSR initiatives is Ethiopian Airlines. The biggest airline in

Africa. And one of the top airlines in the world. The Ethiopian Airlines have been heavily involved in

Monetary contribution and cloth donation made to Abebech Gobena Children's Care and Development

Association, Mekedonia Home for the Elderly and Disabled, Meseret Humanitarian Organization. Not

only that but its employees have been heavily involved in donating blood and community services. It has

also have been the main probably the only player in suppling COVID-19 medical supplies to the African

people that has been donated by Jack Ma Foundation.

This Airlines was not only the pride of Ethiopia but also Africa. It has built its good name since the

start of its first establishment in 1960s and has been a go to airlines for most Africans. This shows that it

does what it does in its CSR project not to build a name or cover up a tarnished name. It does it because

it’s the right thing to do.

The second company I chose is Dr. Bronner’s. “Dr. Bronner’s is now the top-selling brand of

organic and fair-trade body care in the U.S” (Durbin, 2022, para. 6). The company is very much

involved in making socially and environmentally responsible products while dedicating its profits to
building, promoting, and advancing positive social changes (Durbin, 2022). What I found amazing

about Dr.Bronner’s is, not only the company makes sure its products are the upmost quality it is

dedicated to making sure that farmers around the world are treated fairly and just. I found this a

very noble cause.

I would say I wouldn’t trust or even doubt any company that started CSR at a time of bad

performance or bad media attention. This is because these companies very well understand the direct

correlation between CSR and Community.” Many studies have shown CSR’s effect on attitudes toward

firms (e.g., Brown & Dacin, 1997) and the causal attributions of corporate activities and events (e.g., Sen,

Bhattacharya, & Korschun, 2006)” (Shim & Yang, 2016). So, any company who hasn’t his name in CSR

before and now suddenly becomes a champion of the CSR right after a media backlash or a poor quarterly

profit makes me question the real agenda behind the newfound purpose. There are also companies that are

not allowed to advertise their products through mainstream media such as alcohol and cigarette

companies. These companies are in CSR for the sole purpose of public relations; I mean they must get

their name across somehow and this happens to be a very good route. It’s nothing but public relations for

these companies.

No, I don’t want to work in that field only because I want to be in the IT sector computer science

to be precise. But I sure want to participate in it. Whether it’s in voluntary work or whether in donating

money, I want to be there with my company to help in any way I can. Life would be meaningless if we

failed to uplift one another in time of need.

 Reference:

Durbin, H. (2022, January 26). 9 socially responsible companies to applaud. Classy. Retrieved September 21,

2023, fromhttps://www.classy.org/blog/6-socially-responsible-companies-applaud/Reference:

Shim, K., & Yang, S.-U. (2016). The effect of bad reputation: The occurrence of crisis, corporate social

responsibility, and perceptions of hypocrisy and attitudes toward a company. Public Relations

Review, 42(1), 68–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pubrev.2015.11.009