Many companies now have well-publicized "Corporate Statements of Social Responsibility," "Codes of Ethics," and even positions with a title such as Ethics Officer. Baron (2010, p. 724) cites two factors contributing to the spread of statements of social responsibility:
What does this mean, exactly, a "corporate statement of responsibility?" The International Standards Organization (ISO) has set forth a voluntary standard for social responsibility in an international setting. The figure below illustrates the content addressed in the standard, including seven core subjects of social responsibility: organizational governance, human rights, labour practices, the environment, fair operating practices, consumer issues, and community involvement and development.
Visit the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) [3]
Read the landing page and watch the short video, "What ISO standards do for you." (transcript of video [4])
Read the page ISO 26000 - Social Responsibility [5] (transcript of Social Responsibility video [6]) (not required, but watch video if you have 47 seconds!)
On the right-hand side of the ISO 26000 page, click the link below "Preview our standards." Read first few paragraphs of "Introduction" closely (you can stop at Box 1), and scan the remainder.
Links
[1] https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:std:iso:26000:en
[2] https://www.iso.org/obp/ui/#iso:std:iso:26000:ed-1:v1:en
[3] http://www.iso.org/iso/home/about.htm
[4] https://www.e-education.psu.edu/eme444/440
[5] http://www.iso.org/iso/iso26000
[6] https://www.e-education.psu.edu/eme444/441