Career Perspective In Corporate Social Responsibility | Career

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Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is the commitment of functional business to contribute sustainable economic development by working with employees, their families, the local community and society at large to improve their lives in way that are good for business and for development. CSR is one such niche area of Corporate Behaviour and Governance that needs to get aggressively addressed and implemented tactfully in the organizations. CSR is no longer considered as philanthropy on the part of the corporate. It is fast becoming an integral part of their business actions and decisions. International giants like IBM consider CSR as a tool for gaining competitive advantage in business. The various fiscal and civil laws are also being tightened to ensure greater thrust on CSR.

Corporate social responsibility is not a new concept in India. However, what is new is the shift in focus from making profits to meeting societal challenges. Now-a-days, employees are actively participating in the social activities even on holidays. This is mainly because employees feel a sense of pride when they are involved in such activities. Moreover, companies are having committed and dedicated departments for CSR. The spectrum of CSR includes a number of areas as human rights, safety at work, consumer protection, climate protection and caring for the environment, and sustainable management of natural resources. From the perspective of employees, CSR activities include providing health and safety measures, preserving employee rights and discouraging discrimination at workplace. CSR taken up by various Multi National Companies primarily focuses on poverty alleviation, environmental protection and sustained development, Resettlement and Rehabilitation, Rebuilding Rural Infrastructure, Life Skill Promotion Programs, etc… In India large corporates are increasingly getting involved in ensuring CSR quotient in each and every aspect of their existence. Further they are also setting aside huge funds through corporate foundations.

It is estimated that more than 3% of our country’s GDP is spent through NGOs and corporate foundations. Our country has shifted dramatically from its agrarian nature in the last 60 years. At the time of independence agriculture contributed 80% of the GDP. Today manufacturing and services contribute 80% of GDP. In a scenario where majority of revenue is generated at the upper echelons of the society, CSR is probably the only alternative to bring about rationalization and equity in the long run. In India it is just taking up but it has immense potential and there is a vast dearth of professionals and experts in this area even today.

Giving a universal definition of CSR is bit difficult as there is no common definition as such. However, there are few common threads that connect all the perspectives of CSR with each other; the dedication to serve the society being most important of them. Most ideal definition of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has been given by World Business Council for Sustained Development which says, “Corporate Social Responsibility is the continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as of the local community and society at large”.

Post Graduate Program on Corporate Social Responsibility:
Companies and organizations today face an unprecedented level of scrutiny and rising expectations from their various stakeholders – customers, employees, investors, communities and governments – regarding the way in which they conduct business. As a result, companies throughout the world are recognizing corporate social responsibility as a key aspect of best business practice and are making it a priority by formalizing it within their organization. Many of successful companies have adopted responsible business practices in the marketplace and the environment, as well as in the workplace and the wider community.

In view of the above, Asian School of Business Management(ASBM), Buubaneswar is also offering the first accredited Post Graduate Program in Corporate Social Responsibility (PGPCSR) in India. This program offers best professional gain to the Graduate student to pursue a career in Corporate Social Responsibility wings of the Corporate Sectors. In addition to it, this program also offers managers and executives the opportunity to obtain a formal qualification in CSR and to benefit from applicable lessons in the classroom that can be implemented successfully in their organizations.

How the CSR professionals will gain from the Course on PGPCSR offered by ASBM?
• You will leave the program equipped with practical knowledge and understandings, skills and ideas on CSR.
• More specifically, in your Organization you will create a business space for corporate social responsibility;
• You will generate alternative methods for incorporating social and environmental practices into functional areas while maintaining a strategic view;
• You will be sound enough in developing the most appropriate assessment techniques to use in assessing the application and effectiveness of CSR strategies in your Organization.

Who should attend?
• This Program is designed for any Graduate student having interest in pursue a career in corporate social sector wings or in the social development agencies.
• This program is designed for managers and executives with or without prior knowledge of corporate social responsibility.

Core Competencies Required for Professionals pursuing Career in CSR:
Professionals who would like to build a career in CSR must fulfill certain Core Competencies- that will guarantee to their employment sustainability.
• Understanding society
• Building capacity
• Questioning business as usual
• Stakeholder relations
• Strategic view
• Harnessing diversity

Employment Opportunity:
Due to the diversity of this career area, opportunities exist within the private, public and voluntary sectors. It is important to highlight that many CSR roles may not be titled as such but their job content may reflect CSR activities.

Larger companies may have CSR departments or have CSR functions located within particular areas including marketing, communications, environmental management, rural reconstruction, resettlement and rehabilitation, public affairs, investor relations, finance, operations and human resources. Opportunities are also opening up in the large accounting and consulting firms, many of which are trying to compete with the niche CSR consulting firms by offering their own CSR client services. CSR career options can be found in both national government agencies and international organizations.

Types of Jobs in CSR:
There is no such thing as a typical career path in CSR and there is no single professional body at present that represents the needs and interests of all those working in the field. However, jobs in different name and mode are seen in the CSR openings. Those are like:

• Corporate Relations Executive
• Administrative Assistant-CSR
• Specialist-CSR
• Senior Sustainability Leader
• Social Compliance Auditor
• Project Manger-CSR
• Manager-Environmental Sustainability
• Corporate Responsibility Manager
• Director-Training and Programs
• Research Program Coordinator.

About the Author

Prof.Bhakta Bandhu Dash Head, ASBM-Center for Social Responsibility Bhubaneswar E-mail: acsr@asbm.ac.in Website: www.asbmcsr.org Development professional with track record of successful project management of various sizes and in partnership with different national as well as international organizations. Expertise in Project Cycle Management, Partnership Support and Management, Development Research and Communication. Able to deliver results for organizations immediate and long-term growth. Expert presenter and confident team leader with strength in forging strong, sustainable networks and alliances. Understands development issues with both grassroots and global perspective. A postgraduate in Applied Psychology from North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), securing Gold Medal. Presented scholastic papers in different national and international seminars. Designed and conducted capacity building programs for various groups at national and international level. Possess experience in implementing child centric development programs in countries like Philippines and Srilanka.

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