The document is a study on corporate social responsibility at HUL conducted by students at SRM University. It includes an introduction, acknowledgements, table of contents, and executive summary. The study examines the meaning and importance of CSR, how CSR is implemented, arguments related to CSR, measures for applying CSR, models of CSR, and HUL's approach to CSR. The executive summary provides a high-level overview of the document's coverage of competitiveness in business and ethical behavior, as well as reviews of CSR studies in India.
The document is a study on corporate social responsibility at HUL conducted by students at SRM University. It includes an introduction, acknowledgements, table of contents, and executive summary. The study examines the meaning and importance of CSR, how CSR is implemented, arguments related to CSR, measures for applying CSR, models of CSR, and HUL's approach to CSR. The executive summary provides a high-level overview of the document's coverage of competitiveness in business and ethical behavior, as well as reviews of CSR studies in India.
The document is a study on corporate social responsibility at HUL conducted by students at SRM University. It includes an introduction, acknowledgements, table of contents, and executive summary. The study examines the meaning and importance of CSR, how CSR is implemented, arguments related to CSR, measures for applying CSR, models of CSR, and HUL's approach to CSR. The executive summary provides a high-level overview of the document's coverage of competitiveness in business and ethical behavior, as well as reviews of CSR studies in India.
In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the degree of
MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION SRM UNIVERSITY APRIL 2010 P a g e | 2
SRM UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT STUDIES SRM Nagar, Kattankulathur - 603203, Kancheepuram District, Tamil Nadu. Phone: +91-44-2745 2270 extn: 7001 Fax: +91-44-2745 2343 E-Mail: registrar@srmuniv.ac.in
BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE
Certified that this report titled CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY- HUL is a bonafide work of Mr. UDAYA KUMAR.K.M, Register No: 3510910850, Mr. VENKATESAN.S, Register No: 3510910871, Mr. THANGAM.T, Register No: 3510910841, Mr. NAGARJUNA.S, Register No: 3510910823, Mr. SUDHAHAR.R, Register No: 3510910790, who carried out the work under my supervision. Certified further that to the best of my knowledge the work reported here in does not form part of any other project report on the basis of which a degree or award was conferred on an earlier occasion on this or any other candidate.
Ms.C.JAYASHREE Dr.Mrs. JAYSHREE (Faculty In charge) (DEAN-MBA)
Viva Voce Conducted
Internal Examiner: External Examiner: P a g e | 3
DECLARATION
We, UDAYA KUMAR.K.M, VENKATESAN.S, THANGAM.T, NAGARJUNA.S, SUDHAHAR.R bonafide students of SRM UNIVERSITY, hereby declare that the project entitled A Study on Product Life Cycle of LUX, Chennai, submitted in partial fulfillment for the award of Degree of Master of Business Administration is our original work.
I express my gratitude to Dr. Jayshree Suresh, Dean, SRM School of Management, SRM University, for providing an amazing environment for us to complete this project successfully.
I thank Ms. Jayashree.C, Assistant Professor, Department of business Administration for her constant encouragement and valuable guidance throughout the tenure of the project.
I thank my relatives and friends for their assurance and encouragement. I am deeply indebted to my loving parents for their endurance and perseverance during the course of my study.
Competitiveness of corporate sector is a very broad multi-dimensional concept that embraces numerous aspects such as price, quality, productivity, efficiency and macro-economic environment as well as the ethical behavior and the social responsiveness of a company.
There are numerous studies on Corporate Social Responsibility in India, published by industry associations, consultancy organizations, research bodies and peer-reviewed journals. In India too the businessman has been under incessant attack both by the government and the public. Many reports of the Indian government, such as the P. C. Mahalanobis Committee Report on the Distribution of Income and Levels of Living (1964); K.C. Dasgupta Report on Monopolies (1965), Prof. Hazaris Report on the Industrial Licensing Sysem (1966), and the Dutta Committee Report on Industrial Licensing Policy (1969) are very critical of the unethical role of the Indian Businessman today.
In this section, various studies on the Corporate Social Responsibility are reviewed, under different heads pertaining to ethical behavior, namely, importance and need for CSR, implementation of CSR, arguments related to CSR and other aspects.
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Introduction
As the pace of industrialization quickened employers became more and more concerned with the loss of productivity efficiency due to avoidable sickness or accidents or stoppage of work due to bad personal relationships. This gave rise to the idea of a welfare state, which was further strengthened by the growth of democracy and of respect to human dignity during the last 150 years.
The frame work of a welfare state and with it the concept of social responsibility have thus come to stay in many countries of the world.The changing image of business in the recent years has lent further support to the idea of social responsibility.
Some public opinion polls in the 1960s and 1970s in United States have left businessman disenchanted. These polls have revealed that the businessman is viewed as an individual who does not cares for others, who ignored social problems, who preys upon the population, who exploits labor, and who is a selfish money grabber.
On the other hand, until these opinions were unveiled, the businessman in America believed that others viewed him as he viewed himself, as a practical, down-to-earth, hardworking, broadminded, progressive, interesting and a competitive free enterpriser. He believed that the society looked up at him as a self sacrificing community leader, pillar of society, generous to a fault, great supporter of education, patron of the arts, in short, the salt of the earth.
Indeed, the businessman in the pre-poll days thought of himself as a happy mix of Plato, Gandhi, and Churchill. Although the subject Corporate Social Responsibility in its present form and content has gained popular attention only in recent years, its origin can be traced back to the evolution of the concept of a welfare state.
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What Is Corporate Social Responsibility?
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a form of business self-regulation to incorporate social and environmental concerns. It represents a business model that adheres to laws, ethical standards, and international norms.
As part of the business model, businesses have to take into account the impact of their activities on the environment, employees, communities, stakeholders, and other members of the public. In short, CSR represents the deliberate inclusion of the publics interest in a business decision making to ensure a triple bottom line that considers the planet, people, and profits.In general, CSR involves some kind of standardized reporting that allows the business to collect information on how it is making progress on various fronts.
Businesses that engage in CSR typically focus on some or all of the following: Environment: This requires a look at the environmental impacts of products and services, as well as what the business does outside the company to improve the environment.
Employees: Its important to ensure that all employees are cared for adequately. Businesses usually focus on workplace conditions, benefits, living wages, and training.
Communities: Engaging the surrounding communities is an important part of not just creating good human capital that can serve the business, but also securing a reputation that can further establish the business.
Regulations: Respecting regulations to the fullest and often exceeding them is part of being socially responsible.
Crisis Preparedness: Being ready to address business crises and ensure safety for employees and surrounding communities is critical. Having plans ready and tried are important in ensuring minimal losses during times of crises.
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Meaning and Definition
CSR is about how companies manage the business processes to produce an overall positive impact on society. Take the following illustration: Companies need to answer to two aspects of their operations. 1. The quality of their management - both in terms of people and processes (the inner circle). 2. The nature and quantity of their impact on society in the various areas.Outside stakeholders are taking an increasing interest in the activity of the company. Most look to the outer circle - what the company has actually done, good or bad, in terms of its products and services, in terms of its impact on the environment and on local communities, or in how it treats and develops its workforce. Out of the various stakeholders, it is financial analysts who are predominantly focused - as well as past financial performance - on quality of management as an indicator of likely future performance. Other definitions The World Business Council for Sustainable Development in its publication "Making Good Business Sense" by Lord Holme and Richard Watts, used the following definition. "Corporate Social Responsibility is the continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and theirfamilies as well as of the local community and society at large" The same report gave some evidence of the different perceptions of what this should mean from a number of different societies across the world. Definitions as different as "CSR is about capacity building for sustainable livelihoods. It respects cultural differences and finds the business opportunities in building the skills of employees, the community and the government" from Ghana, through to "CSR is about business giving back to society" from the Phillipines. On the other hand, the European Commission hedges its bets with two definitions wrapped into one: "A concept whereby companies decide voluntarily to contribute to a better society and a cleaner environment. A concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interaction with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis.
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Need for Corporate Social Responsibility:
1. philosophy, which demands business organizations to be responsive to the social problems. 2. As a result of globalization of business, global companies and MNCs operate in a big way in their host countries. In order to establish a good corporate image, they include social responsibility as a corporate objective.Indigenous companies are forced to follow suit for maintaining theircorporate identity.
3.In the terms and conditions of collaborations agreements, very often, social welfare terms are included which necessitates the collaborating company to take up social responsibility of business.
4. On the basis of legal provisions, companies have to concentrate on social problems. For example an industrial organization in India must obtain a certification from Pollution Control Board.
5. Corporate donations of social welfare projects of approved NGOs are exempted from income tax in India.
6. An organizations commitment to social responsibility creates a good corporate image, and there by a better business environment. There are many situations where social responsibility of a business becomes necessary. Few of these situations whichshow the need for Corporate SocialResponsibility are discussed below.
7. Social responsibility of business enables the organization to improve its product positioning and thereby improve its market share.
8.Very often situations demand due to natural calamities, accidents and so on.For example, gas leak at the Union Carbide plant in Bhopal, wherein thecompany had to monetarily compensate through medical treatment.
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Importance of CSR
CSR is an important business strategy because, wherever possible, consumers want to buy products from companies they trust; suppliers want to form business partnerships with companies they can rely on; employees want to work for companies they respect; and NGOs, increasingly, want to work together with companies seeking feasible solutions and innovations in areas of common concern. Satisfying each of these stakeholder groups allows companies to maximize their commitment to another important stakeholder group their investors, who benefit most when the needs of these other stakeholder groups are being met:
I honestly believe that the winning companies of this century will be those who prove with their actions that they can be profitable and increase social valuecompanies that both do well and do good.Increasingly, shareowners, customers, partners and employees are going to vote with their feetrewarding those companies that fuel social change through business. This is simply the new reality of businessone that we should and must embrace. Carly Fiorina Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Hewlett Packard Company
The businesses most likely to succeed in the globalizing world will be those best able to combine the often conflicting interests of its multiple stakeholders, and incorporate a wider spectrum of opinions and values within the decision-making process and objectives of the organization.
Lifestyle brand firms, in particular,need to live the ideals they convey to their consumers: CSR is increasingly crucial to maintaining success in businessby providing a corporate strategy around which the company can rally, but also by giving meaning and direction to day to day operations.
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CSR in Todays World
CSR as a strategy is becoming increasingly important for businesses today because of three identifiable trends:
Changing social expectations Consumers and society in general expect more from the companies whose products they buy. This sense has increased in the light of recent corporate scandals, which reduced public trust of corporations, and reduced public confidence in the ability of regulatory bodies and organizations to control corporate excess.
Increasing affluence This is true within developed nations, but also in comparison to developing nations. Affluent consumers can afford to pick and choose the products they buy.A society in need of work and inward investment is less likely to enforce strict regulations and penalize organizations that might take their business and money elsewhere.
Globalization The growing influence of the media sees any mistakes by companies brought immediately to the attention of the public. In addition, the Internet fuels communication among like-minded groups and consumersempowering them to spread their message, while giving them the means to co-ordinate collective action (i.e. a product boycott). These three trends combine with the growing importance of brands and brandvalue to corporate success (particularly lifestyle brands) to produce a shift in the relationship between corporation and consumer, in particular, and between corporation and all stakeholder groups, in general.The result of this mix is that consumers today are better informed and feel more empowered to put their beliefs into action. From the corporate point of view, the market parameters within which companies must operate are increasingly being shaped by bottom-up, grassroots campaigns. NGOs and consumer activists are feeding, and often driving, this changing relationship between consumer and company.CSR is particularly important within a globalizing world because of the way brands are builton perceptions, ideals and concepts that usually appeal to higher values. CSR is a means of matching corporate operations with stakeholder values and demands.
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Implementing CSR
CSR is about common sense policies that represent a means of integrating a complete social perspective into all aspects of operations. The goal is to maximize true value and benefit for an organization, while protecting the huge investments corporations make today in their brands. CSR asks companies to ensure their business operations are clean and equitable, and contribute positively to the society in which they are based. Otherwise, they leave themselves open to too much danger from a potential consumer backlash. CSR is good business sense, and a total approach to doing business, in a globalizing world where companies are increasingly relying on brand strength(particularly global lifestyle brands) to add value and product differentiation, and where NGO-driven consumer activism is increasing. Many believe the issue of how corporations integrate CSR into everyday operations and long-term strategic planning will define the business marketplace in the near future. It will become a key point of brand differentiation, both in terms of corporate entities and the products that carry their brands. Key steps on the road to integrating CSR within all aspects of operations include: Ensure the commitment of top management, and particularly the CEO, is communicated throughout the organization Appoint a CSR position at the strategic decision-making level to manage the development of policy and its implementation Develop relationships with all stakeholder groups and interests (particular relevant NGOs) Incorporate a Social or CSR Audit within the companys annual report Ensure the compensation system within the organization reinforces the CSR policies that have been created, rather than merely the bottom-line Any anonymous feedback/whistle-blower process, ideally overseen by an external ombudsperson, will allow the CSR Officer to operate more Effectively Corporations today are best positioned when they reflect the values of the constantly shifting and sensitive market environment in which they operate. It is vital that they are capable of meeting the needs of an increasingly demanding and socially-aware consumer market, especially as brands move front and center of firms total value.
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Arguments of CSR Arguments offered in favor of CSR can be broadly split into two camps moral and economic.
1. A moral argument for CSR While recognizing that profits are necessary for any business entity to exist, all groups in society should strive to add value and make life better. Businesses rely on the society within which they operate and could not exist or prosper in isolation.They need the infrastructure that society provides, its source of employees, not to mention its consumer base. CSR is recognition of that inter-dependence and a means of delivering on that obligation, to the mutual benefit of businesses and the societies within which they are based: CSR broadly represents the relationship between a company and the wider community within which the company operates. It is recognition on the part of the business that for profit entities do not exist in a vacuum, and that a large part of any success they enjoy is as much due to the context in which they operate as factors internal to the company alone.
Charles Handy makes a convincing and logical argument for the purpose of a business laying beyond the goals of maximizing profit and satisfying shareholders above all other stakeholders in an organization: The purpose of a business is not to make a profit, full stop. It is to make a profit so that the business can do something more or better. That something becomes the real justification for the business.It is a moral issue. To mistake the means for the end is to be turned in on oneself, which Saint Augustine called one of the greatest sins.It is salutary to ask about any organization, If it did not exist, would we invent it? Only if it could do something better or more useful than anyone else would have to be the answer, and profit would be the means to thatlarger end. Advocates of CSR believe that, in general, the goal of any economic system should be to further the general social welfare. In advanced economies, the purpose of business should extend beyond the maximization of efficiency and profit.Increasingly, society expects businesses to have an obligation to the society in which they are located, to the people they employ, and their customers, beyond their traditional bottom-line and narrow shareholder concerns.
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2. An economic argument for CSR An economic argument in favor of CSR can also be made. It is an argument of economic self-interest that there are very real economic benefits to businesses pursuing a CSR strategyand is designed to persuade those business managers who are not persuaded by the moral case. Proponents of this argument believe that CSR represents an holistic approach to business.Therefore, an effective CSR policy will infuse all aspects of operations. They believe the actions corporations take today to incorporate CSR throughout the organization represent a real point of differentiation and competitive market advantage on which future success can hinge. 3.Arguments against corporate social responsibility
If the arguments for a socially responsible approach were widely accepted, nobody would even using the label "CSR" because everyone would be doing it. Those of us who spend our time marshalling the case for would do well to spend a little time hearing the case against, and considering what should be the response.
Of course, one of the challenges in considering cases "for" and "against" CSR is the wide variety of definitions of CSR that people use. We assume here we are talking about responsibility in how the company carries out its core function not simply about companies giving money away to charity. Below are some of the key arguments most often used against CSR and some responses. Businesses are owned by their shareholders - money spent on CSR by managers is theft of the rightful property of the owners The leading companies who report on their social responsibility are basket cases - the most effective business leaders don't waste time with this stuff Our company is too busy surviving hard times to do this. We can't afford to take our eye off the ball - we have to focus on core business It's the responsibility of the politicians to deal with all this stuff. It's not our role to get involved I have no time for this. I've got to get out and sell more to make our profit line. Corporations don't really care - they're just out to screw the poor and the environment to make their obscene profits
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Corporate Social responsibility in India: Most companies are not doing any CSR Many companies are only making token gestures towards CSR in tangential ways such as donations to charitable trusts or NGOs, sponsorship of events, etc. Most companies believe that charity and philanthropy equals to CSR; very few companies are using their core competence to benefit the community. Most companies use CSR as a marketing tool to further spread the word about their business. For instance, donation of a token amount to some cause on purchase of a particular product. The fact that companies are hiring advertising agencies for their CSR further highlights this. Only Few Indian companies (from this study) publish a Corporate Sustainability Report to measure and assess the impact of their business on the environment . Very few companies openly state the processes followed by them, the damage caused by these processes, and the steps taken to minimize this damage. Very few companies state how much they spend on CSR. There is no mention of the amount spent in any of their balance sheets or annual reports. Most companies just list and describe their CSR activities and seem to be spending minimal amounts on CSR. Very few companies are engaged in CSR activities in the local communities where they are based. Very few companies have a clearly defined CSR philosophy. Most implement their CSR in an ad-hoc manner, unconnected with their business process. Most companies spread their CSR funds thinly across many activities, thus somewhere losing the purpose of undertaking that activity. Most companies appear reluctant to themselves fulfill their CSR unless it is mandatory by law. Generally speaking, most companies seem either unaware or dont care about CSR. However, all companies can be considered to be an upward learning curve with respect to CSR and it is expected that the situation will improve.
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Measure for applying Corporate Social Responsibility:
Sustainability reporting It is recommended that every company should publish a separate Corporate Sustainability Report (as per the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) framework) along with their Annual Report. At the very least, every company must include a Corporate Sustainability section in its Annual Report (similar to the mandatory section on Conservation of Energy, Technology Absorption and Foreign Exchange Earnings and Outgo).
CSR philosophy to be defined and articulated Every company must clearly define its own CSR philosophy and objectives, stating which issues it intends working on or contributing to. It is recommended that a company first takes up areas that directly concern its business processes, and thereafter any other related or unrelated issues. These can also yield strategic benefits to the company.
Minimum annual CSR expenditure Every company must spend a minimum of 0.2% of its annual income on CSR activities. The CSR spending of a company should not be linked to the profit made by the company because this would vary from year to year and the CSR activities would thus not be consistently maintained. The scale of operations of a company and its impact is connected with its sales, and not with its profits. The larger the company, the greater is the damage it is doing to the environment. Conversely, the greater is the company's ability to do good.
Protection and restoration of the environment Every company must be engaged in CSR activities that minimise its harm to the environment, and which help restore damage done to the environment because of the company. For example, all companies should use energy-efficient technologies for their factories and offices, and adopt rainwater harvesting irrespective of the production process they are engaged in.
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Employment for marginalized groups Every company should provide inclusive employment opportunities and include the physically-challenged and marginalized groups in their workforce. The number of employment opportunities offered to such groups should be stated in the Annual Reports as is done by Public Sector Undertakings.
Local community development It is recommended that a company first undertakes projects in the places where itfunctions, and helps those local communities and environments that are affected by its work.
Use of core competence Every company should use its core competence to benefit its stakeholders and society. For instance, banks can use their expertise to identify and counsel debtors who are likely to run into financial trouble
Extending profile and area of businesses A company should attempt to stretch its business beyond its existing profile and into areas where it does not normally work so as to reach out to under-served groups and populations. While this may sometimes mean smaller profit margins or marginal losses for the company, it will invariably result in valuable business learning's as well as effective CSR for the company.
Developing internal CSR implementation systems A company may choose to develop an in-house CSR team or division that undertakes the CSR activities for the company. This is desirable as it leads to greater sensitization and awareness within the company about it's processes, responsibilities, role, etc. and leads to the internalization of the company's CSR philosophy.
Focused CSR activities for greater impact It is recommended that a company identifies a few issues for it's CSR activities and works on these areas for a sustained period of time so that measurable results and improvements can be achieved, rather than undertaking or supporting several small initiatives across several areas thereby reducing effective impact.
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Three Models of Corporate Social Responsibility:
MODEL ONE: THE TRADITIONAL CONFLICT In the traditional neoclassical model, tradeoffs between social and environmental goals and profits are inevitable. Since firms only consider private marginal costs when making production decisions, firms overproduce products or services, and operate at less than the socially optimum market equilibrium when social costs exceed firms private costs. These decisions create negative externalities and require government policies or other market-correcting interventions to restore the socially optimal equilibrium. MODEL TWO: CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY BRINGS IN THE CASH While the traditional view of conflict between industrial and social goals is far from obsolete, many companies are redefining the relationship between financial, social, and environmental performance. Executives from these companies view environmental integrity and healthy communities as means to achieve greater profits. Model two represents the ideology of the majority of companies that make it into socially responsible investment (SRI) portfolios.These companies choose to be socially responsible for a variety of profit-oriented reasons: increased sales, greater innovation, decreased production inefficiencies. MODEL THREE: MULTIPLE FIRM GOALS, ALL CREATED EQUAL Though model two companies predominate among SRI portfolios, Teiwes believes it is model three businesses that we should really strive to encourage. Model three explains the ideology of firms that have made commitments to environmental and social goals without evidence that corporate citizenship leads to tangible financial gains. The owners or managers have decided that social and environmental achievements are independently worthy of attainment and should be pursued with equal enthusiasm to profits. Wyse explains, A large part of CSR is the individuals involved in senior ranks. CEOs like to be involved in policy and service; it helps them to lead a fulfilling life. MERGING THE MODELS Though executives often structure their thinking around one of the three models, businesses have many top executives, each with different feelings about the interaction between profits and CSR. To avoid giving off contradictory messages, they present themselves as a combination of the three models. P a g e | 20
Corporate Social Responsibility
Hindustan Unilever Limited: is India's largest fast moving consumer goods company, touching the lives of two out of three Indians with over 20 distinct categories in home & personal care products and food & beverages. They endow the company with a scale of combined volumes of about 4 million tonnes and sales of over Rs. 13,000 CR . HUL is also one of the country's largest exporters; it has been recognised as a Golden Super Star Trading House by the Government of India. HUL was formed in 1933 as Lever Brothers India Limited and came into being in 1956 as Hindustan Lever Limited through a merger of Lever Brothers, Hindustan Vanaspati Mfg. Co. Ltd. and United Traders Ltd.. It is headquartered in Mumbai, India and has an employee strength of over 15,000 employees and contributes for indirect employment of over 52,000 people. The company was renamed in June 2007 to Hindustan Unilever Limited. In 2007, Hindustan Unilever was rated as the most respected company in India for the past 25 years by Businessworld, one of Indias leading business magazines [2] . The rating was based on a compilation of the magazines annual survey of Indias Most Reputed Companies over the past 25 years. HUL is the market leader in Indian consumer products with presence in over 20 consumer categories such as soaps, tea, detergents and shampoos amongst others with over 700 million Indian consumers using its products. It has over 35 brands. Sixteen of HULs brands featured in the ACNielsen Brand Equity list of 100 Most Trusted Brands Annual Survey (2008). According to Brand Equity, HUL has the largest number of brands in the Most Trusted Brands List. Its a company that has consistently had the largest number of brands in the Top 50 and in the Top 10 (with 4 brands). Hindustan Unilever's distribution covers over 1 million retails outlets across India directly and its products are available in over 6.3 million outlets in India, i.e., nearly 80% of the retail outlets in India. It has 39 factories in the country. Two out of three Indians use the companys products. P a g e | 21
Bihar Floods: After the floods in Bihar in 2008, HUL contributed 10,000 kits worth Rs. 60 lakh as first instalment of relief material for the immediate relief of the flood affected families of Araria District in Bihar. The kit contained essential items such as utensils clothes Blankets.
Tondiarpet - Rs. 10 crore - relief and rehabilitation of Tsunami affected families by way of relief material, land and towards construction of facilities. - distribution of bread and biscuits to over 500 families in Pondicherry, - 12,000 cooked meals for families in Chennai, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore and Andamans.
SANJIVANI Free Mobile Medical Facility A free mobile medical service - year 2003 near Assam.Two mobile vans dedicated to the project Mobile medical vans camp for six hours in a village everyday and treat nearly 100 patients. Sanjivani also undertakes activities like Awareness campaigns on hygiene Child immunization camps Iron supplement therapy Free eye check ups Family planning awareness camps Anti-tobacco education Anti-alcoholism camps. The Sanjivani project has provided medical assistance to more than 1, 54,500 patients since its inception and in 2007 alone in 344 camps more than 22,395 patients were treated. In 2008 through 438 camps, 32000 patients have been treated.
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Happy homes& Rehabilitation Under the Happy Homes initiative, HUL rehabilitation of children with challenges.abandoned, challenged children destitute.The needs of the abandoned/challenged children are met through special classes of basic skills, physiotherapy, etc. being taken care of by the Sisters of the Home. Wherever necessary, corrective surgery is also arranged for in the city hospitals by the Home.
Ankur : In 1993, HUL's Doom Dooma Tea Plantation Division set up Ankur, a centre for special education of challenged children These children are taught skills, such as cookery, painting, embroidery, bamboo crafts, weaving, candle making, stitching, etc depending on their aptitudes.
Kappagam : Encouraged by Ankur's success, Kappagam ("shelter"), the second centre for special education of challenged children, was set up in 1998 on HUL Plantations in South India.
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Conclusion:
Corporate Social Responsibility is a difficult and elusive topic for companies to deal with. It can often be very costly and yield benefits that are hard to quantify.Perhaps this is one reason why companies, according to the survey, have put so much focus on the internal improvements that can be made, such as improvingcorporate governance and transparency. This could also explain why the most important stakeholders, after customers, are the traditionally important employees and shareholders.
Theres also the issue of just what standard of corporate social responsibility should companies use and how far companies should go to perform their responsibilities beyond what the laws call for. The issue of what is theresponsibility of a corporation is far from being settled, and there is an unresolved argument over what corporate social responsibility means. Companies face a plethora of options among the various standards, guidelines, benchmarks and other proposed measures of corporate social responsibility.
One point that all can agree on is that corporate social responsibility is not a neutral topic. There is a persistent debate about whether the corporate social responsibility movement represents an unjustified intrusion into corporate affairs, and whether companies should invest profits in their own corporate social responsibility projects or return the money to shareholders to let them invest as they see fit.
But there is no denying that corporate social responsibility has become an important issue facing the global business community and one that promises to grow in importance in the coming years.
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Reference:
1. Google search engine.
2. Journal on corporate social responsibility by Ernad shaw