Corporate Social Responsibility is a policy in businesses that aims to help improve the society and/or the environment, even though it is not required of them by law or obligation. While CSR is optional, there are intensive debates whether firms should incorporate it into their system. There are two sides to a society’s view on CSR. One group, the business-focused, believes that a firm’s only duty is to aim for high profits in order to satisfy its stakeholders, while not breaking any laws. The other group, society-focused, believes that companies have the responsibility to involve itself in philanthropic activities to give back to society. Although CSR is nonmandatory, many agree it is against society’s moral and ethical code by keeping wealth to themselves.

I agree with the author of the book, Okpara(2013) that CSR is not required of firms, but society expects powerful firms to be charitable. I love the fact that Okpara convinces leaders of the 21st century and potential ones to utilize CSR as a catalyst for a company’s growth, instead of mocking firms without CSR policies. I, personally, do not view wealthy companies that do not implement CSR as selfish because it is their choice and I would probably keep all the profits. But, I and most of the population are attracted to companies who engage in charity.

Reference: Okpara, John O. ; Idowu, Samuel O. (2013). Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR, Sustainability, Ethics & Governance). Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg.