A large number of companies that get involved in social responsibility programs are growing by the day.
The idea that the success of the business depends both on having a good product or service, and on caring for the community to which they are directed, today supports hundreds of support initiatives but it is not right that a closer responsibility is displaced by a more distant one, understanding that this proximity or distance is not measured only in geographical terms. The term social responsibility almost did not exist ten years ago.
The issue of social responsibility in business is now commonplace and fashionable. True ink resources and flows have been consumed to highlight its importance and promote its benefits. We come across it practically every day: magazines, books, newsletters and newspapers, international congresses, forums, talks, sector meetings, advertisements of all colors and flavors, journalists, businessmen, consultants and academics insistently remind us of its benefits.
No one can be absent from that appointment. Who in one way or another has no connection with a project of that nature, "is not in anything" or is simply out of date.
In fact, I think that is, in part, the reason why I am writing these lines. My being resists being relegated to the sad condition of "excluded."
Taking advantage of the chaos that has been generated by the repair of the Lima tracks and the consequent delay in traffic, leading to the cancellation of the meeting I was going to, I have found a space for reflection and to stamp a few ideas in this article.
We are not going to question what is or is not meant by corporate social responsibility. There are a thousand ways to define it, all surely very valid and respectable. In principle, any social responsibility project is worthy of applause because, although in some cases it seems to us that the intention that inspires it is vitiated by an economic interest, the service it provides ultimately benefits someone, that is the question that many shy away.
Criticisms are made of 'social marketing' in how much use of social responsibility projects to generate a brand or to promote corporate image. "It leaves a certain aroma of selfishness that detracts from the action," she says. However, if we asked the children who drink a glass of milk daily (such as the glass of milk program), or those who enjoy leisure time in the community park, or those who suffer from any type of disability and receive financial support from a company, we will surely find happy faces, radiant people and grateful for such a noble gesture and expression of solidarity.
However, we believe that social responsibility must begin at home. Certainly, we are not facing a simple option but it is a moral duty of no small importance. Those who have the most are called to share with the less favored. This is not only a human sense but a Christian obligation and duty.
Without wishing to go into the subject of Faith, it is a matter of simple humanity, if not common sense. However, we are not equally responsible to all people, however, by the principle of proximity we are more responsible for what concerns us most closely.
Responsibility thus takes the form of concentric circles. It is easy to understand: when we throw a stone into a lake, the waves spread out in a circle from the center outwards, expanding their diameter until they vanish. Well, following this simile, we are more responsible to those people who are closest to us; they are our neighbor, properly speaking.
In this order of ideas, we can affirm that we are responsible, first of all, for ourselves. We have to take charge of our own humanity in the sense of forming ourselves in moral principles, in developing virtues and values to enrich ourselves internally and, thus, have something to give to others, we must value ourselves first in order to value others.
We are responsible, secondly, for our family, not only in material and economic aspects, but also in affective aspects, in the love and attention that we offer to the spouse, to the children and to our parents; thirdly, we must be responsible with our company and those who work there; then we will attend to the associated companies and then to the companies of the sector; subsequently, we will take over the country's economy, and finally, we will pay attention to the world economy.
According to this criterion, it is not right for a closer responsibility to be displaced by a more distant one, understanding that this proximity or distance is not measured exclusively in geographical terms. If my company has a production plant in Tumbes, I am more responsible for what happens in that plant than the manager of a factory that is located next door, in said city.
Let's be clear: in practical sense, it would be a mess to tend to the starving children of Africa, when we have poverty rolling through our streets without even stopping before it. It would be a mess for a businessman to dedicate all his effort and energy to carry out the projects of his union organization, no matter how important they are, neglecting the pressing needs of his own company.
It is a disorder for the person of the manager to privilege the attention of his collaborators, although it is a responsibility that falls to him in a serious way, while his family falls apart due to his lack of attention and support.
It would be a contradiction for a company to have social responsibility programs, while ignoring the most immediate needs of its employees: paying a fair salary, providing adequate and effective training, offering certain possibilities for development, facilitating the conditions so that have time to spend with their families, etc.
It would be unimaginable to raise the flag of the SR and E outwards, projecting the visibility of what has been done towards the external community, without starting with the internal SR and E, which makes the concept valid within the organization itself. Human resources, people, They are the lymphatic blood system of the organization.
With a greater or lesser degree of technology, with a greater or lesser degree of mechanization, with a greater or lesser degree of participation of the person, we reiterate that behind the management, control, values, quality, in the company, is just the people… nothing more and nothing less.
It is obvious that the supreme legal asset to maintain is the business entity, since without it there is no possibility of any productive interaction. But it is also obvious that the hue, the intensity of the color, the quality of the work environment, are a reflection of the attitudes, skills, values and behaviors of those who work in the company.
Both from the management, the direction, as from the administration and operations, an entity ends up being the result of the algebraic summation of the qualities of the people that comprise it. A good work environment is everyone's construction. It is the product of an agreement between those who participate in the organization to interact in a healthy way.
The proper exercise of authority (without authoritarianism), dialogue, reasonable and balanced demand, maintaining frank and open communication channels, transparency in the knowledge of the entity's progress, responsibility without the ingredient of fear, and The ability to equitably distribute the reward of effort, are the basic pillars of a "labor meteorology" where concord and harmony exist, without for this reason ceasing to be complemented with the effort essential to meet the objectives of the company.
When everyone feels that a portion of the entity's progress is involved in their own attitude, we have a solid social fabric that prolongs the life of the company. All of the above is not possible without specific policies for remuneration and decent workplaces, permanent training programs, a reasonable length of working hours, periodic recognition of merits and demerits, which gives rise to an important sense of justice and equity.. The collective attitude of compliance with the law, as well as the insertion of values that preserve this climate (something like that oxygen belongs to everyone and no one should pollute it) incorporated into those who make up the business project, are essential lubricants for the climate be positive.
From the medical service, dining room, gymnasium, stores, life insurance, scholarships and uniforms, transportation, sports and cultural activities, toys, baskets and Christmas parties, prizes, aid in emergency situations, and in the best cases, preparation and pension for retirement.
If we think about it, they are simple ideas, common sense. Nobody thinks of going to put out the fire in the neighbor's house while their own house is on fire. It is not about making life difficult for anyone. It is enough to put a little order, it is a matter of establishing real priorities.
To paraphrase Covey, it is to be clear that 'first things first'. What is interesting about the principle of proximity - is that "it not only serves to act well but also helps to direct the efforts of our work." If we want to positively impact society, it is necessary to keep an order, start the task at the beginning. It is very difficult for us to seriously influence our country, if we do not first assume responsibility for our family and our company.
All social responsibility projects are welcome. We have to be supportive and with high doses of generosity. Society needs it. Thus we will achieve a better, fairer, more humane world. But before entering the doors of the company, it is advisable to take a look inside the house. Don't forget, social responsibility begins at home.
“It is important that an objective is never defined in terms of activity or methods. It should always be directly related to how life is better for everyone. The objective of the system must be clear to everyone who belongs to the system. The objective should include plans for the future. The objective is a Value Judgment "
Dr. W Edwards Deming.
