Week 8 Journal

This week I learned about CSR which is Corporate Social Responsibility. CSRs are businesses that aim to be socially responsible. Companies can do this through the economy, environment, or contribute to the public. This is important because the success of a company is based on what people think about it. Consumers and employees want to support and work for businesses that are contributing to a worthy cause. It is important to have a socially conscious image. 


This article: The Broken "Buy-One, Give-One" Model: 3 Ways to Save Toms Shoes was interesting to me, and I agree with the article. I learned a lot by reading it and thinking about what I have learned so far in this course. It brought to light this complex situation in a way I had never thought about before. Selling Toms shoes in the west and then donating shoes in needy countries doesn't help those countries and causes more harm. It hurts the development of workers, farmers, traders, and sellers in those countries. The people don't really need a free pair of shoes, they have bigger problems: hunger, homelessness, illnesses. It would be better for Toms to help the people in those countries make their shoes. Then people would have work and be able to buy food, shelter and possibly some medical care. 

 

I think CSR has become more popular in recent years because people want to see companies giving back and helping a good cause. I think people see the widening gap of wealth and poverty and they expect companies with large profits to help. I also think we are more socially aware now and seeing businesses act on this improves their image and profitability. 

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