ISO 26000 Social Responsability summary, page 1
1 Scope
This International Standard provides instructions to organizations, regardless of structure or location on:
- terms and definitions related to social responsibility;
- trends in social responsibility;
-practices relating to social responsibility;
-the core subjects and issues
-integration, implementation
of socially responsible behavior through its guidelines within its sphere of influence;
-stakeholder’ process of s identification and engagement
The ISO is meant to aid organizations in contributing to sustainable development. This is meant to push organizations to go further than just merely legally complying with the law. It also important for the organizations to take into account the societal concerns, environmental and political issues as well as the current economic conditions.
This International Standard is meant to provide organizations with guidelines concerning social responsibility and can be used as part of public policy activities.
It is not intended, in any way,
to provide a basis for legal actions, complaints, defenses, or other claims in any international, domestic, or other proceedings, nor is it intended to be cited as evidence of the evolution of customary international law.
2 Terms and Definitions
Accountability
–an obligation or willingness to accept responsibility
Due Diligence
–a comprehensive appraisal of the possible negative social, eco, and environmental impacts of an organization’s decision to mitigate negative impacts.
Ethical Behaviour
-behavior consistent with that of society’s which are considered rightful
Organization
-an organized group of individuals with a particular purpose and shared objectives
Principle
–serves as a foundation to guide for evaluation
Social Dialogue
–a process of negotiations with social partners
Social Responsibility
–an ethical framework that suggests that an individual or company has a
responsibility to act for the benefit of society.
Sphere of Influence
– an area which an individual or organization has the power to affect events
Stakeholder
–an individual or group of individuals that has interests in something
Stakeholder Engagement
-a process by which organizations or companies communicate with their stakeholders
Supply Chain
-steps are taken to get the product or service from the supplier to the final buyer
Sustainable Development
-development that is conducted without depletion of resources
Transparency
- openness about plans and activities that may affect society
Value Chain
- a full range of activities needed to create a products or service
3 Understanding Social Responsibility
3.1 The Social Responsibility of Organizations: Historical background
The theory of social responsibility came into widespread use in the 70s and was already a subject of study for many organizations and governments as early as the 19th century.
While initially social responsibility was focused on profit-making for many of the business outfits, hence the term “corporate social responsibility”, other organizations outside of the business industry soon realized that they too had an obligation to contribute towards a more sustainable economic development.
The characteristics (or aspects) of social responsibility change with time depending on the needs of the society.
Back then, the concept of social responsibility was focused solely on charitable activities. Over time as the awareness on the importance of protecting human rights, having a sustainable environment, and countering corruption grew, the need to study (or implement) more guidelines became more apparent.
Central issues identified in this International Standard reflect current practices. Practices that are bound to change in the future depending on the needs of the society (or expectations of the society) where social responsibility is concerned.
3.2 Recent trends in Social Responsibility
Instant and (modern) communication plays a vital role in globalization, making current practices and guidelines more available to different locations. It is through this technology that different groups can access a wide variety of information to organizations.
The global nature of health issues as well as the current environmental issues, issues addressing poverty, economic coherence, and the geographically dispersed value chains prove that relevant concerns outside of the existing location of the organizations exist. Therefore it is imperative to address social responsibility regardless of the circumstances.
This worldwide interdependence is highlighted in the principles and guidelines of, ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, The Rio Declaration on Environment and Development and the Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development.
Globalization gave rise to the increase of different organizations, including NGOs and private sectors. As a result of this impact, the government has found an ally in these NGOs and companies in assisting in health, welfare, and education in countries whose governments are unable to provide such services.
Organizations should focus more on the significance of their social responsibility and how they can help the disadvantaged. The government and these organizations, in turn, play a crucial role in implementing possible measures and realizing opportunities for policy reforms and organizational decisions during these times.
As the needs of society evolve, the expectations of consumers go with it. Stakeholders in various aspects have set benchmarks for these organizations where social responsibility is concerned and it is through the community right to know the legislation that people get access to progress reports and organizational performance.
3.3 Characteristics of Social Responsibility
3.3. A General
A very important element of social responsibility is for organizations to integrate both social and environmental concerns in their decision making and being accountable for the outcome and impact on society. These decisions should take into consideration the interest of its stakeholders.
Stakeholders otherwise referred to as “interested parties” interests should be taken into account at all times ensuring its lawfulness and its alignment to the international principles of social norms.
3.3. b The expectations of Society
Social responsibility as we know it now goes beyond the legally binding norms and obligations. For the most part, society expects that social responsibility covers concerns and views on ethical obligations towards human rights, socio-economic needs and the environment.
While cultures and attitudes vary for every country, organizations should always adhere to the international principles reflected in the Johannesburg Declaration on Sustainable Development, Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and other international guidelines to have unified learning and understanding of everyone’s responsibility.
3.3. c The role of stakeholders in Social Responsibility
Organizations should know the personalities of their stakeholders (or the companies) as it is quite important to agree on certain concerns and issues on social responsibility. This though does not mean that the stakeholders will have an advantage over the organization on decision making. Ultimately, the organization still has the final say.
3.3. d Integrating social responsibility
Reaching a balance between socio-economic and environmental responsibilities and being able to integrate social responsibility is important. By doing so, this helps the organizations advance their commitments to their stakeholders and the community that they are serving.
In the context of charity work, philanthropy in itself does not replace social responsibility as social responsibility, in a much broader sense, addresses the overall culture of an organization towards the environment and the society.
3.3. e Relationship between Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development
Sustainable development and social responsibility or CSR are interconnected concepts. Sustainable development involves the use of environmentally responsible and efficient operational resources meeting the needs of the present w/o compromising the needs of the future generations. Social responsibility or CSR on the other hand involves balancing corporate and environmental responsibility, giving back to the communities in which it operates.
The culture (or practice) of CSR ensures sustainable development.
3.4 The State and Social Responsibility
The state and the public organizations are usually seen as regulators, promoters, or supervisors in the context of social responsibility, the goal of which is to ensure that private sectors act responsibly.
The role of the state towards the protection of Human Rights, for example, is to ensure that the laws are implemented. The government involves itself in standard-setting through policy frameworks which in turn pushes (encourages) companies to improve their performance beyond the legal standards.
The purpose of International Standards is to make services, like that of the government’s, better and to make companies and the government further improve their operations. Hence, these International Standards have proven to be useful in the government’s exercise to intensify awareness on the state’s policies and activities concerning Human Rights and its protection.