Introduction
Corporate social responsibility is a form of self-imposed duty. Business enterprises practice it as a way of giving back to the community. It is a social virtue that ensures commercial enterprises relate well with the society. Therefore, the community is likely to support their commercial operations. Essentially, a responsible firm contributes positively to a country’s development. It takes care of the community’s interests such as provision of funds to clean up the environment and others ways of giving back to the society. Such a firm conforms to all the laws of the land and employs acceptable methods of resolving conflicts such as dialogue, mediation and arbitration. Corporate social responsibility is an important aspect that interests economists. Ruschak (2012) adds “it is one of the leading topics in World Economic Forums (WEF)” (p. 14).
Corporate Social Responsibility: Focus on McDonald’s Corporation
McDonald’s Corporation believes in the provision of satisfactory services to its customers. The company has been on the run to improve the dietary allocations in its dishes. Proper diet is important in maintaining good health. The management aims at incorporating healthier food stuffs such as fruits and vegetables in its culinary arts. Additionally, it wishes to reduce the sale of foods with high calorific but low nutritional value. The firm plans to include locally produced whole grains to its range of authentic cuisine. The practice will promote the local producers economically and uplift the consumers’ health. It strives to relate well with the community through conforming to the laws of the land.
The company offers training to its employees to enhance food safety. Therefore, the employees can handle, cook and store food appropriately to reduce chances of contamination. Similarly, it engages its suppliers in the safety measures to ensure that the supplies are safe. It conforms to the rules of the Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP). The company engages the community in capacity building to enhance economic growth. McDonald’s believes in respect for basic human rights as per the dictates of the federal constitution. It supports programs to sustain natural resources such as oceans and forests among others. It ensures that the material used to manufacture its packs is a product of sustainable agriculture (Slama, 2014). Similarly, it recycles the packs for sustainable development.
The company minimizes its use of products which emit chlorofluorocarbons to the atmosphere. Chlorofluorocarbons are harmful greenhouse products which environmental researchers link to problems such as greenhouse effect and global warming. Global warming is to blame for problems such as depletion of the ozone layer and unpredictable weather patterns. McDonald’s remains alert on this effect and works hard to minimize emission of such gases. Therefore, it has adopted sustainable strategies such as the use of renewable sources of energy, designing its buildings to reduce emissions to the environment and management of its energy consumption.
The company engages in waste recycling to reduce the volume of waste it exposes to the environment. Waste is becoming a big menace in many cities in the world today. Therefore, it is critical to initiate a waste management platform to make the world a better place to live. Hence, McDonald’s recycles most of its waste products. For instance, it converts surplus cooking oil into fuel to power automotives. The company gives back to the society through sponsoring major events such as sports. For instance, it supported the Paralympic games in 2012. Sponsoring such events helps grow talents and create good relations between the participants.
McDonalds is an important provider of employment considering the opportunities it offers to the immediate community. It offers job opportunities to people who would otherwise be jobless. Notably, it creates employment to reduce joblessness in the society. In addition, it enhances professional development to its employees through in-service training to help them sharpen their skills and respond to the industry’s dynamics.
McDonalds provides an all rounded environment favorable for social- cultural interaction among customers, employees and suppliers. It is important to note that it does not discriminate people on the basis of their gender, color or race. Hence, people can share their cultural experiences. Additionally, the company is strict on all manifestations of discrimination and addresses them accordingly. It is a gender sensitive firm that ensures women remain competitive. It supports those in leadership positions and mentors them to become more productive. It promotes awareness to break the social constructs which label women as weak beings and incompetent leaders. In addition, it organizes regular forums to train women leaders and help them cope with management dynamics
Conclusion
A company ought to take responsibility for its impact to the community. It enhances a company’s competitiveness considering its contribution to the society. A firm’s responsibility to the community is essential in promoting its image among the target group. More often than not, a responsible company gains recognition from the consumers. It is important to note that a responsible company may gain directly through support from the community. Similarly, contented employees work hard; thus, increasing the company’s output and vice versa. It allows a firm to partner with others; thus, increasing its presence in other regions.
References
Ruschak, K. (2012). Corporate Social Responsibility: Corporate Social Responsibility and the Theories it Generates From. MüNchen: GRIN Verlag.
Slama, J. (2014). McDonald’s Can Make History and Rescue its Brand with Sustainable Food. The Huffington Post.