Key drivers for corporate social responsibility initiatives stem from a combination of customers demands, investor expectations, and firm goals seeking to be the “employer of choice”.
While CSR is more developed in Europe, the field is quickly gaining traction in the United States as more large organizations staff CSR initiatives. This movement is asking corporations to exhibit more transparency, accountability, and consideration of the firm’s social impact.
We’re finding CSR roles within the public relations, philanthropy, community affairs, compliance, legal and human resource departments of large corporations. Additionally, there are a growing number of consulting and investment firms specializing in CSR initiatives.
Outside of the for-profit sector, job seekers can explore large non-profits, think tanks, quasi-governmental agencies, NGOs, and government agencies.
Examples of well-known employers with strong CSR initiatives include Reebok International, Hewlett Packard, Cisco Systems, Amnesty International, PWC, KPMG, McKinsey, Reebok International, Starbucks, Proctor & Gamble, and the United Nations.
In recent studies, the following competencies were identified as desirable for professionals pursuing CSR roles:
- Understanding Societal Needs:
Examining the challenges facing our society combined with the realistic knowledge of the impact of organizations on their communities. Based on this information, creating solutions that organizations can take to address societal issues and needs.
- Building Organizational Capacity:
Strengthening the abilities of the organizations in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, and leadership capability and growth.
- Challenging the Status Quo:
Adapting to the realities of a changing environment and creating organizational capabilities for flexibility, resilience and sustainability.
- Stakeholder Relations:
Identifying and considering the needs of all organizational stakeholders. Building collaboration among stakeholders and making decisions that take into consideration of the potential impact on stakeholders.
- Strategic View:
- Considering the long-term implications of decisions on all stakeholders that encompass the organization, community, and society at large. Enhance strategic thinking capabilities among employees to support strengthened decision making.
- Harnessing Diversity:
Appreciating the differences among a cross-cultural workforce. Leveraging this diversity to make more informed decisions that are sensitive to the cultural nuances that help create buy-in and support for initiatives that support the greater good.
Bottom Line:
CSR is just one of the new career fields that are opening up. More to come. Stay tuned...
© Copyright, 2009, Sean Harvey. Used with permission.
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Sean Harvey, MSOD, MSEd, founded Boerum Consulting as a career and leadership consulting practice dedicated to empowering the next generation of socially-minded leaders to create real and impactful change in their organizations and beyond. As a values-driven career expert, Sean offers his insights through his recently launched website called SociallyMindedCareers.com, as well as a quarterly newsletter, entitled Socially Minded Insights, where he explores the career trends and professional development needs and issues facing the socially minded. Sean also serves on the faculties of New York University and Baruch College CUNY as a management professor.
