Following are the factors that prpel
entities to engage in CSR:
- Moral obligation – The companies
engage in CSR since they believe it is their duty to be a good
citizen and “do the right thing”.
- Sustainability – The company
focuses on environmental and community stewardship with the belief
that it is best for the company in the long run. A good explanation
for this comes from The World Business Council who explains
sustainability as followed: “Meeting the needs of the present
without compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs.”
- License to operate – Many companies
only engage in CSR because they are forced to since they need to
follow regulations and permissions from governments, communities
and other stakeholders to be able to conduct business.
- Reputation – Many companies explain
that they use CSR to improve the reputation and company image, to
strengthen the brand, in order to demonstrate moral and because it
even could raise the company’s stock value.
- Increased sales and market share –
There is strong evidence that when customers make decisions of
which product to buy they consider factors such as the company’s
participation in CSR- activities.
- Improved brand positioning – When a
company or a brand is associated with CSR it affects the brand
image and customers are likely to have a positive feeling towards
it.
- Improved image and clout – The
company can gain positive publications about their CSR activities
in different reports and business magazines.
- Increased ability to attract,
motivate and retain employees – Employees working for companies
that participate in CSR-activities describes that they are proud of
their company’s values and that it motivates them.
- Decreased operation costs – Many
companies describes that their CSR activities result in decreased
operating costs and increased revenue. A company can for example
reduce costs for marketing campaigns, as it is common that the
company gains increased free publicity as a result of their CSR
engagement.