A society is likely to be more prosperous and stable when business firms are innovative, competitive, productive, profitable and sustainable, and are also socially responsible. Hence, the business community is continuously challenged to inculcate all these characteristics.
Today's heightened interest in the proper role of businesses in society has been promoted by increased sensitivity to ethical issues. Issues like environmental damage, unsafe working environment, and faulty products leading to customers' inconvenience are getting attention. Customers have become increasingly conscious about the social performance of the companies from which they buy their goods and services. This requires organizations to operate in an economically, socially and environmentally friendly manner. It is, therefore, emerging that besides profit maximization, corporates should work to benefit the community and support what is called the "common good".
With the introduction of the notion that there is something called "common good" or the general welfare of the society, the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) emerges. The basic premise of the concept of CSR is the claim that business is also a social institution. If one surveys the popular press or academic literature, one thing is for sure-the pressure on businesses to account for social responsibility will continue to grow.
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