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.
Businesses, specifically larger corporations, play a major role in what occurs in society therefore, they are responsible to their stakeholders not only to pursue economic goals but the greater social good as well. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) means that a corporation should act in a way that enhances society and its inhabitants and be held accountable for any of its actions that affect people, their communities, and their environment. (Lawrence, 2010). Social responsibility is becoming the norm so much so that some businesses have incorporated it into their business model. There are three components of the bottom line of social
One key to a successful business is to advance and respond to the issues that underlie in its social responsibility to the community. Of the companies, Target shows more of a social responsibility to the community. Target has included itself and various programs such as raising money for Education, volunteering and offering a diverse work place for the community. As Target states on their website, “As a good corporate citizen, Target works to strengthen families and communities wherever we do business.”
or so many years our society has been thinking of forming new creative and innovative businesses, which would be more environmental and customer friendly. Nowadays a large number of different companies follow the social, ethical, as well as moral consequences when it comes to their decision making. One of the relatively new concepts involving economic and social concerns is Corporate Social Responsibility. Many of us apply this approach not only at work, but also in everyday life without even recognizing.
Accordingly, Target’s (2015) CSR Report emphasizes its sense of community, stewardship, and responsibility by focusing on such areas as wellness (of guests, team members, and communities), sustainability of its products and business operations, inclusiveness, and community investment (p 2). Furthermore, Target’s management states its “performance as a company is intrinsically linked to the health and vitality of the communities” where its team lives and works (p 1). For that reason, Target contributes 5% of its profits back to local communities and has done so for 70 years (p 1). In its 2015 CSR Report, Target reports on the progress towards achieving its 20 corporate social responsibility goals it set in 2010. Progress is presented in easy to read graphics spread over seven pages of the 45-page report with goals for the future under development and to be released (pp 4-10, 10). In addition, Target’s website has this information under the categories of environment, team-member wellness, education, and volunteerism.
I chose to do my research on the Target Corporation. I feel they have a reputation of service to their customers, employees and community. Target’s mission is great value, the community, diversity and the environment. Target takes 5% of its income and puts back into the community. The Reading and Education Program, The Military and Veteran Support Program and The Social Services Program are just a few of several programs Target Corporation offers to the community. Target has a great reputation to be a positive fixture in the communities they serve. I think it says a lot about a company and the way it does business. I would feel good about working for a corporation like this. The Target Corporation has good ethics and is socially
The Target Corporation is focused on ways to build their legacy of the corporate social responsibility. Working together with team members, guest, suppliers and the community builds a superior outcome by which matters most by the Target leaders. Their purpose is to believe in great shopping, anytime and anywhere. The company culture builds a team of people with different backgrounds and unique points of view. As Target promotes an active citizen and good neighbor in our communities by which they give valuable time, talent and business strengths to growing our communities to a healthy and safer
Target has been giving to the community since 1946. They are growing a brighter future for their team members and the community. Targets community impact states that “Every time we build a new store, we bring our legacy of giving and service to the community around it through the local programs and partnerships we support.” I believe they have a lot of impact on the community and can show that they are a great company to be a part of. Target gives out education grants, and public safety grants, has a team member volunteer program, food donations, local support for United Way, etc.
can be taught by Target leaders, who are expected to volunteer their time and efforts. This is a natural match of want and need between Target and of MPS.
For years, Target works to create not only sustainable products, but to ensure that the development, manufacturing and operations of their products follow the same protocol. In Target’s 2015 Corporate Social Responsibility Report, the company gives details to their efforts to ensure that their eggs, dairy, and meat products reflect their belief in proper animal treatment. By 2025, Target plans to be a 100 percent cage-free shell egg assortment believing that animals should be raised in clean, safe environments and away from cruelty and neglect. Their dedication to the humane treatment of animals is certainly not the first amongst their competitors to commit to cage-free, however they are one of the first (Kowitt). As some competitors, such
CSR is the concept that businesses should balance profit-making with activities that benefit society, as Bruce Dayton believed “businesses should act in the best interest of society” (Target, 2015). Accordingly, Target’s commitment is to design tomorrow’s Target through our value chain, building community and creating a great workplace. As such, its 5 core beliefs: innovation, leadership, growth, inclusivity, and community influence its ongoing commitment to CSR. Furthermore, they achieve this by concentrating on:
Target Corporation is a leader in being transparent on corporate governance, shareholder reporting, and product innovation by bringing the industry together to find a solution, and product information dissemination to the community and citizens, particularly, the products consumers put in or on their body. By keeping it employee happy those who loves to come to work every day and help its customer, Target Corporation makes it a great workplace to work (CSR, 2014). It offers many health benefits, financial and educational assistance as part of its
Corporate social responsibility(CSR) is an obligation to make choices and take actions that will contribute to the welfare and interests of society, not just the organization. Many businesses are started to create a better world by helping to have more focus on the effect of environment on society than generating money. The idea includes Conscious Capitalism, Sustainability, and Benefit Corporation. Conscious capitalism is the organizational policies and practices which help in enhancing the success of a company and improve the economic and social conditions of the communities in which the company operates. The concept is developing strategies to embrace the philosophy. It gives higher preference to communities, employees,customers,and suppliers
Corporate social responsibility has been one the key business buzz words of the 21st century. Consumers' discontent with the corporation has forced it to try and rectify its negative image by associating its name with good deeds. Social responsibility has become one of the corporation's most pressing issues, each company striving to outdo the next with its philanthropic image. People feel that the corporation has done great harm to both the environment and to society and that with all of its wealth and power, it should be leading the fight to save the Earth, to combat poverty and illness and etc. "Corporations are now expected to deliver the good, not just the goods; to pursue
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) is a term describing a company’s obligation to be accountable to all of its stakeholder in all its operation and activities. Socially responsible companies consider the full scope of their impact on communities and the environment when making decisions, balancing the needs of stakeholder with their need to make profit.
‘Corporate social responsibility’ (CSR) means that the firm has wider responsibilities in relation to objectives and people apart from the owners or shareholders (Beal and Goyen 2005). These responsibilities are achieved when the firm adapts all of its practices to ensure that it operates in ways that meet, or exceed, the ethical, legal, commercial and public expectations that society has of business. Objectives often associated with CSR include a responsibility to manage natural assets sustainably and not to pollute by chemical discharge, smell, noise, dust or other irritants; fair treatment of employees and ethical attitude towards clients. The other people include employees, customers, suppliers,