Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, is the buzz word these days in all leading business corporations around the world. It is basically all about business ethics and how socially responsible corporations provide goods and services in line with society’s values and its sensitivity.

CSR is about how big corporations meet the needs of society and its consumers and how it avoids unethical business practices and misleading advertisements. It is about how it respects the laws and principals that protect the environment, society, consumers and its employees.

CSR is not just how much money a corporation gives to charity or communities for its social development programs, but as to how it makes its money and earns profits. CSR is an obligation, working for the benefit of social good, as well for profits and is beyond the letter of law.

It is towards a spirit of trust, respect for the rules of trade, environment, consumer’s interest, social development programs and to avoid illicit operations like hoarding, misleading advertisements, bribery, tax evasion, etc.

An enlightened corporation sets its own code of ethics and respects and acknowledges its responsibilities, which are practiced by its workers, managers and senior executives. It sets the example of being good citizens and promoting good citizenship.

However, from the consumers’ point of view, socially responsible corporations should also be concerned about the needs of its consumers. It should ensure that it provides quality products at a fair price to them and does not exploit the consumers, especially children, with misleading and unethical advertisements.

It should be concerned about the rights of consumers, which include: The Right to be Safe - The Right to be informed -The Right to choose -The Right to be heard -Employee protection -Equal employment opportunities for all - Safety and Quality of life issues - Ethical investing – And that the companies’ products do not cause illness, disease, death nor destroy or damage the environment.

A socially responsible corporation offers superior values to customers by acknowledging social responsibilities. It is the moral obligation of corporations, who believe in Good Manufacturing Practice, to observe a code of conduct, in manufacturing, marketing and advertising. They have a moral responsibility to their “brand supporters”, who depend and trust them for maintaining quality and standards and observe and respect local and international laws.

CSR is a growing need in today's complex business environment and prudent corporations have realized that their role is not only to make profits, but also to be recognized as socially responsible enterprises. As such, the concept of social corporate responsibility is assuming new dimensions. If leading corporations do not set an example, which others can follow, then we will end up with a “free for all” situation.