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Social Responsibility at the Target Corporation

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Social Responsibility and the Target Corporation Companies today are heavily influenced by the demands of customers and stakeholders. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) refers to the social and environmental responsibility policies and practices developed by an organization to increase its positive influence and reduce its negative activity towards society (Parks, 2008). The business approach and corporate philosophy of an organization is easily altered due to economic pressures, technological improvement and stakeholder needs and demands. "Going green" or being eco-friendly is one such demand. Environmental and sustainability concerns originate most often from governments, consumer activists, and the general public (Schlosser, 2008). Thus, organizations must implement sustainability into daily practices. In addition, sustainability alters the nature of competition and drives companies to think differently about products, processes, and technologies (Parks, 2008). The Target Corporation has risen in recent years to become a model of socially consciousness in the retail arena. It is truly a community-oriented organization. Since 1946, the company has followed a formal policy of giving 5% of all profits to local community organizations, charities and philanthropic causes (Target Annual Report, 2011). This amounts to nearly $4 million in weekly community support, complemented by several hundreds of thousands of hours of volunteer time by staff and team members.

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