The Business Case for a Social Responsibility Initiative

Commitment to socially responsible behavior is good business — in both the public and private sectors. Often payback can be quantified in financial terms. Socially responsible behavior may even ensure that an enterprise will avoid difficult or embarrassing scrutiny.

Business leaders, including supply management professionals, are dealing with an environment that is more complex and demanding than at any time in the past. Some may see a solid commitment to social responsibility "as just one more layer of complexity." It is not.

The ISM Committee on Social Responsibility has created a set of business case documents designed to help an enterprise work through the process for establishing a social responsibility program. You may find the following documents useful as you work to develop or enhance a social responsibility program where you work.

ISM Social Responsibility Case Diagram Model
This diagram has been built to provide a summary of information making the business case for a social responsibility program. The four pillars address:

1. Corporate Culture
2. Compelling Events
3. Business Opportunities
4. Personal Beliefs

Social Responsibility Program Development Process
Use this document to work through a series of steps to build the case for a program.

The Social Responsibility Program Development Process is supplemented by two tools to support your social responsibility planning efforts:

• ISM Social Responsibility Process Flow
  A process flow chart used to address matters of planning and execution.
• ISM Social Responsibility Prioritization Tool
  An Excel spreadsheet to prioritize your activities related to social responsibility, initiates and identifies gaps that may require your attention.
  (NOTE: You will need to "Enable Macros" within Excel to use the Prioritization Tool).

Your thoughts, suggestions and input about these materials are welcome. They can be shared with ISM at ssturzl@ism.ws. Thank you.

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Related Resources: Through the Eyes of Your Boss Business Ethics = Social Responsibilty? Shopping Around The Business Case for Diversity in a Social Responsibility Context Ethics in Supply Management: Minding Your Actions and Decisions

Content Recommendations: JPMorgan Global PMI: Report on Manufacturing and Services - May 4, 2007 JPMorgan Global PMI: Global Report on Services - May 4, 2007 Reference List Brochure - PDF Developing and Managing an Affiliate Budget - PDF Update Your Interest Profile