Organizations have the role to engage in activities that facilitate improving the welfare of the community as a show of responsibility and care towards its growth and that of the general population. Corporate responsibility is a crucial part of most large corporations where they have annual events and activities which work towards different goals of the community. Most of the Corporate Social Responsibility models adopted by companies involves taking a position of accountability towards the organization, the stakeholders and the general public. We can note that Optus has taken up the role of corporate social responsibility where it has channeled its efforts towards working to in tandem with the UN Sustainable Development Goals on Decent Work and Economic Growth.
CSR and the UN Development Goals
In the analysis of the UN Development Goals, we can note that Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth touches on the element of corporate social responsibility where successful organizations have to take time and account the stakeholders which include the community(“Economic Growth - United Nations Sustainable Development,” 2018). Based on a keen look at Goal 8, we can note that despite the numerous success we seen across the globe in different industries, there is still a large percentage of the community that is in dire need of empowerment(Porter and Kramer, 2006, p.78). Close to half of the working-class population of the world are identified to operate below US$2 a day which is a disheartening fact. Additionally, there is a soaring rate of unemployment globally which currently stands at 5.7%, and the privilege of having a job does not offer the guarantee of avoiding poverty(“Economic Growth - United Nations Sustainable Development,” 2018). Due to such circumstances, we can wee efforts by Optus to rise and become accountable to the stakeholders and engage in efforts to improve on the current statistics on poverty and unemployment.
Optus has established itself as one of the leading communication firms in Australia with positive steady growth in sales over the years. Despite the ability to achieve high goals in sales and marketing itself as the leading communication provider in the country, Optus has taken the chance also to showcase its involvement in improving the welfare of the community (“Sustainability,” 2018). Companies are expected to work alongside government organizations in engaging in efforts that work towards facilitating the resources necessary for the world to work towards the UN development goals on sustainable, economic growth, employment and a decent life for all the citizens(Carroll and Shabana, 2010, p.85). In the efforts to be accountable as a non-government entity engaged in working towards the UN Development goals, Optus has set up initiatives that ensure the company enriches the lives of the people by reaching out to the community in different levels. Optus has taken advantage of its position in communication and technology to create programs that empower the community especially the young generation to improve their skills as a way of meeting the employment goals(“Sustainability,” 2018). UN Development Goal 8 requires improvement of human skills to ensure there is an improvement in economic growth and work.
Over the years, Optus has managed to educate over 59,023 students by enrolling them in Digital Thumbprint programs which is a positive involvement towards the UN Global Compact, and this has guaranteed a step in the right direction in working towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)(“Sustainability,” 2018). The UN Development Goals are geared towards sustainability and growth which means empowering communities as opposed to giving handouts(Galbreath, 2010, p.415). Optus has focused on working towards SDGs by involving itself with social community programs through the adequate channeling of the company's resources. Through the digital technology and innovative programs, Optus has spent close to $9.4 million in working with the vulnerable youths and the broader community through social and community programs(“Sustainability,” 2018). Optus approach regarding Goal 8 on sustainable economic growth and decent work centers around creating lasting impacts on the community.
Conclusion
We can focus on the article by Carroll " Shabana (2010) where the authors seek to establish whether there is a correlation between CSR and firm performance. By discussing the global commitment on the UN Development Goals, we can determine that CSR has numerous rewards that go beyond pure financial gains and the company can take advantage of the opportunities that arise through commitments to CSR. The publication by Porter and Kramer seeks to identify how the media, activists, and governments rank companies based on their efforts on the CSR ladder. According to the articles, it is important to note the efforts of Optus in investing heavily towards the UN Development goals on sustainable economic growth and decent lives by empowering the local communities. Optus has managed to educate students and improve employment through its digital technologies platform.
Bibliography
Carroll, A.B., Shabana, K.M., 2010. The business case for corporate social responsibility: A review of concepts, research and practice. Int. J. Manag. Rev. 12, 85–105.
Economic Growth - United Nations Sustainable Development [WWW Document], 2018. . Sustain. Dev. Goals. URL https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/economic-growth/ (accessed 9.1.18).
Galbreath, J., 2010. How does corporate social responsibility benefit firms? Evidence from Australia. Eur. Bus. Rev. 22, 411–431.
Porter, M.E., Kramer, M.R., 2006. The link between competitive advantage and corporate social responsibility. Harv. Bus. Rev. 84, 78–92.
Sustainability [WWW Document], 2018. Optus. URL https://www.optus.com.au/about/sustainability (accessed 9.1.18).
