The Sony Group of companies is mainly involved in the electronics, entertainment, and game sectors. Sony represents various businesses but has still managed to remain globally unique. Besides the need to make profits, the company is also involved in a wide range of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
The reason why I admire Sony’s Corporate Social Responsibility agenda is because it encompasses the entire operations of the company. The company has divided its CSR initiative into 7 categories that involves the environment, management, responsible sourcing of raw materials, responsible manufacturing of products, responsible training and development of its workforce, engaging the community in a responsible manner, and innovation (Sony Corporation para. 2).
Sony’s management has demonstrated its commitment to sound corporate governance by embracing corporate governance systems. The company also complies with its own requirements in a bid to enhance transparency.
In addition, Sony abides by the established business ethics. It also complies with the relevant laws and regulations. The company’s Global Compliance Network enables it to reinforce its commitment to integrity. In addition, employees have access to the necessary resources to address any emerging ethical and legal issues (Sony Corporation para. 3). Sony is also committed to maintaining a sustainable environment for future generations.
Sony manufactures a wide range of eco-friendly products that have been designed to ensure better environmental performance (Sony Corporation para. 4). Sony’s Blu-ray disc player is an example of an eco-conscious product that maintains high performance and saves resources, energy, and space. The company is also involved in a project dubbed SORPlas that entails recycling of plastics in a bid to minimize oil consumption.
In 2011, Sony managed to reduce its global CO2 emissions by 30% (Sony Corporation para. 5). As a committed global citizen, Sony ensures that its supply chain is managed in a responsible manner. The company is also committed to producing reliable, high-quality products.
For example, Sony creates and upholds sound partnerships with suppliers of raw materials in line with its internal policies and the relevant laws and regulations in the procurement of raw materials (Sony Corporation para. 5). In addition, Sony’s employees involved in the production process are normally given the necessary support to enable the company achieve CSR with regard to human rights, labor, and environmental conditions.
Sony runs various businesses globally as part of its product responsibility initiative. Sony is committed to creating a positive working environment. In addition, the company endeavors to recruiting employees from diverse backgrounds. Sony is also committed to meeting the needs of the community as a part of its global citizenship. In addition, the innovation of its products and services is geared towards contributing to society.
The above actions are important to Sony as they enable the company to promote a sustainable business model by addressing the issues of resource conservation, climate change, biodiversity, and control of chemical substances. These issues affect the various product lifecycles stages of the company products, including research and development as well as recycling.
If at all Sony is to retain a competitive edge in its area of operations, the company needs to enhance its ethical policies and standards as regards the process of procuring of raw materials, manufacturing of products, and distribution of such products to its global customers. In addition, the company should consider extending its citizenship efforts to encompass diverse areas that touches on the lives of people, including arts and culture, social welfare, education and academics, as well as volunteer services.
Works Cited
Sony Corporation 2012. CSR Reporting. 2012. Web. <https://www.sony.net/SonyInfo/csr_report/>.