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Corporate citizenship or corporate social responsibility? Business ethics or transparency? Sustainable development or accountability? Which term is right?
These terms are often used interchangeably, and though at any time one may be more in vogue than the others, they all, in effect, address the same phenomenon.
Here at the Center, we define corporate citizenship as the business strategy that shapes the values underpinning a company’s mission and the choices made each day by its executives, managers and employees as they engage with society. We believe that four core principles define the essence of corporate citizenship, and that every company should apply them in a manner appropriate to its distinct needs: minimizing harm, maximizing benefit, being accountable and responsive to stakeholders, and supporting strong financial results. (View the Center's definition of corporate citizenship.)
Perhaps more important than deciding which term is right is to look at how companies articulate their vision of their role in society. On this page we have gathered a number of corporate social responsibility statements from company web sites and literature. A review of these statements finds many similarities and common themes, but unique differences as well.
We invite you to share your definition on this page; you can do so by emailing it to ccc@bc.edu.
Ahold
As one of the largest food retailers in the world, we recognize that we have to act in a responsible manner for the benefit of our millions of customers, our employees, our business and the good of our planet. We are committed to operating in a way that will improve the quality of life or our stakeholders, now and in the future. Our business impacts the lives of millions of people every day. We believe that making this impact a positive one is not just the right thing to do - it also makes good business sense.
Aramark
At ARAMARK, we create positive experiences and environments that enable people and organizations to thrive. Every day our 250,000 employees worldwide enrich lives through business and community activities.
We focus our energy on initiatives that support our diverse workforce; enhance and protect our environment; strengthen our communities; and advance consumer health and wellness. We seek to lead by example and continuously improve in those areas of our business that are under our direct control. We work with clients and suppliers to develop innovative product and service options that operationalize their corporate social responsibility objectives.
Baxter
"Part of being a great company is being a responsible corporate citizen. At Baxter, we use the term “sustainability” to describe our long-term approach to balancing our business priorities with our social, economic and environmental responsibilities. These efforts align with and support the company’s higher purpose of saving and sustaining lives."
- Robert L. Parkinson, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Bayer
Bayer maintains business activities in about 150 countries. The company sees itself as a good corporate citizen in every country in which it is present, and as such aims to help solve social problems and overcome global challenges. In roughly 300 different projects, we provide funding and make available our economic and technological know-how, while our employees for their part display tremendous commitment. Such social activities have been a key element of Bayer's corporate policy for more than a century, and play an essential role in the company's success.
Campbell's
For Campbell corporate social responsibility (CSR) encompasses the economic, environmental and social aspects of our business and our interactions with our stakeholders. Furthermore, our view of CSR is consistent with the United Nations/Brundtland Commission definition of sustainability: "Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."
Cemex
A sustainable world needs sustainable business. Our challenge is to further increase our long-term competitiveness with minimal impact on people and the environment, while generating maximum value for our local and global stakeholders.
Cisco
"Companies in today’s global economy are not only accountable for the quality of their products and the profitability of their businesses, they also have an obligation to fulfill social and environmental commitments to their employees, customers, partners, and shareholders as well as to the communities in which they operate. Cisco’s commitments are built on our ability to help facilitate collaboration and provide citizens, communities, countries, and businesses with access to information and opportunities that improve the way people work, live, play, and learn. In this way, we can increase the power of the human network."
- John T. Chambers, Chairman and CEO
Dow
At Dow, we believe in the power of the Human Element to change the world. We place a high value on listening to our communities and strive not just to be a good neighbor, but a global corporate citizen. We understand that our promise is our most vital product and through authentic relationships we are building better, stronger, more sustainable communities in the places where we do business.
General Electric
At GE we believe that citizenship is a business imperative, offering opportunities — and challenges — to do good things and do them better. Capitalizing on these opportunities requires more than intent — it requires investment. We are making our intent for citizenship real by investing in the people, ideas, funding and systems that will allow for continuous improvement in a sustainable future.
IBM
At IBM, our commitment to corporate citizenship and social responsibility extends throughout the company. Whether we are conserving energy and natural resources, ensuring a safe and healthful workplace, or working with our suppliers to develop sustainable global markets, we apply our extensive innovation resources and expertise to solve some of the most pressing global issues.
ING
For ING, being a responsible company not only compliments our long-term business objectives but it also helps to define our strategy, identity and the way we do business. Today, a responsible financial institution has to make investment and insurance decisions while taking into account a wide number of ethical, social and environmental issues.
Staying true to what we stand for, developing a strong sustainable strategy and implementing the right policies is the best way for us to show our commitment to corporate responsibility.
Kaiser Permanente
At Kaiser Permanente, one of our core values has always been to improve the health of the community, as well as the health of our members. For nearly 60 years, we have shown our commitment to this through a variety of programs and activities.
We know that good corporate citizenship benefits our communities. Social responsibility and community involvement are part of our legacy, and are crucial to our mission—caring for the communities we serve and making them better places to live and work.
Microsoft
The Microsoft corporate citizenship mission is simple: to serve the public good through innovative technologies and partnerships and to deliver on our business responsibilities of growth and value to our customers, shareholders, and employees. This mission not only guides our work as a corporate citizen, but also provides a framework through which our business addresses new markets, technologies, and business models.
Novo Nordisk
At Novo Nordisk, we refer to corporate sustainability as companies’ ability to sustain and develop their business in the long-term perspective, in harmony with society. This implies a more inclusive view of business and its role; one in which engagements with stakeholders are not just used to legitimize corporate decisions, but rather the foundation for how it conducts and grows its business. It is about innovation, opportunity and planning for the long term.
Petro-Canada
At Petro-Canada, being a socially responsible company is not only critical to our business success but we also feel it’s the right thing to do. We believe the key to our success is listening to and understanding the perspectives of all our stakeholders. By listening, Petro-Canada can work towards mutually beneficial solutions that grow and sustain the communities in which we do business. These mutually beneficial relationships provide us with our license to operate.
Sprint
"Responsibility and accountability are issues we take very seriously at Sprint Nextel. Whether it’s a large corporate wide practice or an individual employee dealing directly with a single customer, we want to make sure that we are always behaving in an honest and ethical manner. In recent years, the idea of corporate social responsibility has quickly moved from a “nice to have” to an “ought to have” to today’s “absolutely must have.”
A company is much more than the products and services it sells; the effect a company has on the people, communities and world around it goes to the very core of the way that company conducts business. As such, Sprint Nextel’s actions affect everyone our business touches – our shareholders, our vendors, our customers and certainly our 60,000 employees."
-Gary Forsee, Chairman and CEO
UPS
As we deliver across the globe, we’re not just transporting packages. UPS creates a connection of people and communities. This connection results in trust and collaboration, performance and accountability, and careful, attentive service to our customers. It starts with attracting and retaining a skilled, motivated and safety-conscious workforce and extends to a global community engagement strategy that includes grants, charitable donations and employee volunteerism.
Verizon
"Corporate responsibility starts with a belief that what you do is important to society. This belief is at the heart of our company. Over the course of its more than 125-year history, the communications industry has played a unique and positive role in driving our economy and creating the bonds that connect our customers to people, ideas and opportunities."
-Ivan Seidenberg, Chairman & CEO
Whirlpool
At Whirlpool we strongly believe in the principles of Corporate Responsibility - of achieving success in ways that honor ethical values and respect people, communities and the natural environment. Equal to protecting the health and safety of our employees, we consider environmental stewardship among our most important business responsibilities. This belief is only reinforced as our operations extend to virtually every corner of the globe.
Actions to protect our employees and preserve the environment for those who follow are based on more than a moral impulse; initiatives such as these help ensure the short-and long-term viability of our company. Working in harmony with the environment and supporting those in our communities that need support provides our stakeholders with a real sense of Whirlpool's values. We operate globally in ways that honor our values and respect the people, communities, and natural environment in which we work and live. With over 90 years of operating businesses in community settings, Whirlpool knows the importance of backing words with responsible actions that support our stakeholders.
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