7/28/2019 CSR in an MNC in BD, Unilever
1/23
Corporate Social Responsibility in an Organization of
Bangladesh
A case study on Unilever Bangladesh
Limited
Assignment Submitted by:Abdullah Al Mahmud - 1301010601
Assignment Submitted to:
Wahida Akethar, Lecturer
Department of Business Administration
Leading University, Sylhet
April 2013
1
7/28/2019 CSR in an MNC in BD, Unilever
2/23
Contents
Abstract 3
I. Introduction 4
II. CSR in Historical Perspective 6
III. CSR Implications to Business Activities 7
IV. CSR as Community Development 7
V. CSR in Bangladesh 8
VI. CSR in MNCs 10
VII. A case study of an MNS in Bangladesh: Unilever Bangladesh Limited
11
VIII. CSR in Bangladesh: where do we stand? 15
IX. Conclusion 17
References 18
2
7/28/2019 CSR in an MNC in BD, Unilever
3/23
Abstract
Apart from the social services by some business firms, the new concept of CSR
is an emerging one. Businesses are driven by government, labor unions, and
consumer groups. In the context of Bangladesh, it is more relevant for the
export-oriented industry. Globalization has made CSR practice an imperative
for Bangladesh business. CSR concentrates on benefits of all stakeholders
rather than just the stockholders. Awareness and sense of necessity for
practicing CSR is becoming more and more pronounced as the country has to
adapt itself to the process of globalization. But the overall status of CSR in
Bangladesh is still very inadequate. Lack of Good Governance, absence ofstrong labor unions or consumer rights groups, and inability of the business
community to perceive CSR as a survival pre-condition in export, local market
constitute some of elements undermining the evolution of CSR practices. Some
annoying incident like boycott from the importer has taught the local business
community about the immense importance of CSR and adoption of this modern
and competitive practice is gradually increasing in Bangladesh.
3
7/28/2019 CSR in an MNC in BD, Unilever
4/23
I. Introduction
Corporate Social Responsibility or CSR for short is a relatively new
term that has suddenly gained currency. Hundreds, indeed thousands, of
companies are adopting ethical policies or codes of conduct saying howthey intend to behave. More and more companies are signing up to such
initiatives as the United Nations Global Compact or the Fair Labor
Association. Around the world there are conferences and initiatives, where
corporate CSR Executives meet up with campaigns, NGOs and trade unions.
Take the example of the oil company Unocal, which was severely criticized
for using forced labor to construct a pipeline in Burma, a country run by a
tyrant regime and subject to an international boycott. Labor rights groups in
the US took Unocal through the courts. Unocal now has a huge area on its
website devoted to CSR. In fact, CSR means different things to different
people. However, certain ideas are becoming commonly accepted. One is
that CSR is not about philanthropy or charitable work. It refers to something
much more fundamental. It is about how companies take responsibility for
their actions in the world at large. CSR monitoring groups such as Labor
Unions, Consumer Groups, Environmentalists, NGOs and all Stakeholders
are watching over their interest as opposed to Stockholders only.
The role of business worldwide and specifically in the developed
countries has developed over the last few decades from classical profit
maximizing approach to a social responsibly approach, where businesses
are not only responsible to its stockholders but also to all of its stakeholders
in a broader inclusive sense. One can identify so many reasons for shifting
the role of business from classical concept to a responsible business concept,
but negative impression of stakeholders on the enterprise would get a higher
priority among others. In one hand, enterprises create wealth and job
opportunities for the society and on the other hand, they pollute and destroy
environment and ecology with devastating impact on human health and bio-
diversity worldwide. To address the social problems or the problems of the
4
7/28/2019 CSR in an MNC in BD, Unilever
5/23
stakeholders, the business community evolved a new approach in their
business strategies named CSR and through CSR enterprises are intent to
strike a balance between economic and social goals, where resources are
used in a rational manner and social needs are be addressed responsibly.
CSR can be viewed as a comprehensive set of policies, practices, and
programs that are integrated into business operations, supply chains, and
decision making processes throughout the company and include
responsibilities for current and past actions as well as adequate attention to
future impacts. CSR focuses vary by business, by size, by sector and even by
geographic region. The umbrella of CSR is quite big and it includes all the
good practices that increase the business profitability and can preserve
interest of all stakeholders.
However, Lotus Holdings defines CSR as The integration of the
interests of the stakeholders all those affected by a companys conduct
into the companys business policies and actions, with a focus on the social,
environmental, and financial success of a company, the so-called triple
bottom-line with the goal being to positively impact society while achieving
business success. Thus, the whole range of stakeholders is considered as
integral parts of CSR. One important aspect of CSR is that it is not legal
obligation but rather voluntary social and environmental positive initiative to
establish an image of environmentally and Socially Responsible Business
(SRB) that also encompasses (Small and Medium Enterprises) SMEs as well
as giant corporations. The motivation and drive to pursue is primarily a result
of pressure from well organized Consumer Rights movement, specifically in
developed world that acts as a watchdog and hardly hesitates to impose
Consumer Boycott against a company that violated established CSR
practices. An Ideal example is the consumer boycott imposed on purchasing
Bangladesh Readymade Garments on the ground that these are produced by
under-aged child labor. Despite the fact that in the not so distant past, CSR
was more of a charity by affluent or socially responsible business
5
7/28/2019 CSR in an MNC in BD, Unilever
6/23
organizations without expecting any financial return, today, it very much a
planned investment in creating positive image to enhance profitability.
Under CSR concept, companies decide voluntarily to contribute to a better
society and a more sustainable environment. As evolved primarily in the
western world, most of the rising companies there practice CSR to enhance
the image and acceptability in the community (Green Paper, 2001).
6
7/28/2019 CSR in an MNC in BD, Unilever
7/23
II. CSR in Historical Perspective
CSR is a concept whereby companies integrate social and
environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interactions
with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis. (Green Paper, 2001) Sociallyresponsibility means not only fulfilling legal expectations, but also going
beyond compliance and investing more into human capital, the
environment and in building with stakeholders. It is relevant in all types of
companies and in all sectors of activity, from SMEs to Multinational
Companies (MNCs). A number of companies with good social and
environmental records indicate that these activities can result in better
performance and can generate more profit and growth. (Green Paper, 2001)
Research (Industry week, 15 January 2001) has shown that about one half of
the above average performance of socially responsible companies can be
attributed to their CSR image while the other half is explained by their
performance. Socially responsible companies are expected to deliver above-
average financial returns. (Green Paper, 2001) CSR has some internal
dimensions such as: human resources management, health and safety at
work, adaptation to change and management of environmental impact and
natural resources. The external dimensions include local communities,
business, partners, suppliers and consumers, human rights and global
environmental concerns. Again, CSR may be as simple as sponsoring social
service oriented entertainment events. In essence, CSR is positive
relationship with the society. In a Bangladesh context, several multinational
companies and local companies practice CSR. While the multinationals are
influenced by their own social responsible business (SRB) disposition, most of
the business concerns in Bangladesh do not rate high in practicing CSRunless being pressured by the foreign buyers in case of export oriented
business.
7
7/28/2019 CSR in an MNC in BD, Unilever
8/23
III. CSR Implications to Business Activities
Companies are facing the challenges of adapting effectively to the
changing environment in the context of globalization and in particular in the
export sector. Although Consumer Rights Movement, enforcement ofgovernment regulations and a structured view regarding the economic
importance of CRS are not yet so widespread in the corporate world in
Bangladesh, companies have gradually attaching more importance to CSR in
the local market as well. They are increasingly aware that CSR can be of
direct economic value. Companies can contribute to social and
environmental objectives, through integrating CSR as a strategic investment
into their core business strategy, management instruments and operations.
This is an investment, not a cost, much like quality management. So,
business organizations can thereby have an inclusive financial, commercial
and social approach, leading to a long term strategy minimizing risks linked
to uncertainty.
IV. CSR as Community Development
CSR in Bangladesh can also contribute a lot to community
development. The corporate house can develop the community by creating
employment, providing primary/vocational education, basic treatment,
contribution to infrastructure development like road and high-ways and
addressing emergency responses, environmental concerns. This is more
relevant for a country like Bangladesh where the government interventions
in these fields being increased by corporate alliance can go a long way in
developing the economy, society and environment.
8
7/28/2019 CSR in an MNC in BD, Unilever
9/23
V. CSR in Bangladesh
CSR concepts and practices in Bangladesh have a long history of
philanthropic activities from the time immemorial. These philanthropic
activities included donations to different charitable organizations, poorpeople and religious institutions. Till now, most of the businesses in
Bangladesh are family owned and first generation businesses. They are
involved in the community development work in the form of charity without
having any definite policy regarding the expenses or any concrete motive
regarding financial gains in many instances. Moreover, most of the SMEs fall
under the informal sector having low management structure and resources
to address the social and environmental issues. These limitations drive the
top management of local companies to think only about the profit
maximization rather than doing business considering the triple bottom line:
profit, planet and people (CSR definition of Lotus Holdings). The discussions
on CSR practices in Bangladesh in its modern global terms, are relatively
new, but not so for the concept itself. Because, being a part of the global
market, it is difficult to ignore CSR standard specifically in the export sector.
In general, it is true that in Bangladesh, the status of labor rights practices,
environmental management and transparency in corporate governance are
not satisfactory, largely due to poor enforcement of existing laws and
inadequate pressure from civil society and interest groups like Consumer
Forums. Globally, as CSR practices are gradually being integrated into
international business practices and hence is becoming one of the
determining factors for market accesses, it is becoming equally instrumental
for local acceptability. A focus on CSR in Bangladesh would be useful, not
only for improving corporate governance, labor rights, work place safety, fairtreatment of workers, community development and environment
management, but also for industrialization and ensuring global market
access. Since, CSR entails working with stakeholders it is important to work
from within and diagnose the stakeholders; concerns so that CSR is truly
9
7/28/2019 CSR in an MNC in BD, Unilever
10/23
embedded in the companies. By now, many CSR dimensions are practiced in
Bangladesh. The SMEs largely depend upon export. The US and EU buyers
set guidelines to RMG industry to ensure the standards. The 1992 Hrkins Bill
and subsequent consumer and industry boycott of RMG products by USA and
the consequent remedial moves by local RMG sector is one example.
Moreover, some buyers from EU visited the sites of recently collapsed
garments factories. A temporary ban was also imposed on Shrimp export to
the EU on health and hygienic standard and appropriate remedial action
followed in that instance too. But, some of the exporters found difficulty in
convincing the US/EU buyers to have positive attitude towards Bangladesh
due to inadequate CSR practices.
Lack of enforcement of Industrial Laws and Regulations, weak unions,
absence of consumer rights groups and high level of corruption within the
regulatory bodies make CSR violation rampant in Bangladesh. Two most
significant foreign exchange sources are the RMG sector and the overseas
manpower export. Unbelievably low compensation, working hours,
health/hygiene/sanitation conditions, fire safety and various types of abuse
are so common and to the extent of inhumanity that wild shock any
conscientious individual to the core. Recently, the RMG sector employees
have embarked on an industry wide movement to establish their rights.
However, a number of corporations are now following an increased
commitment to CSR beyond just profit making and compliance with
regulation. Organizations such as CARE Bangladesh, Katalyst and
Bangladesh Enterprises (BEI) are working at the forefront of CSR activities in
Bangladesh. These organizations are preparing Corporate Social Audit
catering to small/Medium enterprises. While these initiatives are more
discretionary in their nature, they have resulted in the creation of jobs and
value-added services to communities that BATA, Unilerver, GrameenPhone
and CARE are showcasing as CSR programs in action.
10
7/28/2019 CSR in an MNC in BD, Unilever
11/23
It is also found that initiatives in CSR activities in Bangladesh are
pioneered by MNCs. Since Bangladesh is now exposed to global standards, it
can be anticipated that the CSR activities in Bangladesh will continue to be
extended. Firms are now trying to uphold their corporate image of socially
responsible firms and consequently influence consumer buying decisions in
favor of the goods and services marketed by them.
11
7/28/2019 CSR in an MNC in BD, Unilever
12/23
VI. CSR in MNCs
In recent times, there has been an acceleration of multinational
corporate activity, generating wide attention and criticism. In the era of
globalization, Multinational corporations (MNCs) that conduct business acrossnational boundaries in many countries are no longer able to conduct
destructive and unethical practices under protective radar. With a dramatic
propagation of media attention, propagation of nongovernmental
organizations (NGOs) and global information sharing, there is a surging
demand from civil society, consumers, governments and shareholders for
corporations to conduct sustainable business practices. The corporate
response has often meant an adoption of a new consciousness. (Anupama
Mohan, 2006)
The corporate response has often meant an adoption of a new
consciousness and this has been known as Corporate Social Responsibility
(CSR) since the 1970s. MNCs are faced with diverse stakeholder
environments across their international operations. This has several
implications for MNCs management of stakeholder relations across the
multiple levels and diverse contexts of its operations. Global CSR
management also involves cross-border transfer and management of CSR
practices, from one part of the MNC to another, as well as the management
of local CSR practices suited to the local context of the subsidiary units.
The MNCs are faced with wider CSR expectations, and MNCs are under
increasing pressure for socially responsible behaviour in their global
operations. The complex legitimacy issues faced by MNCs across these
diverse political, economic, institutional and sociological environments are
also discontinuous and marked with uncertainty and preclude universalcorporate policies because what may be acceptable in one country or at a
time may run counter to public policies or acceptable norms elsewhere or at
other times (Logsdon and Wood, 2002).
12
7/28/2019 CSR in an MNC in BD, Unilever
13/23
Common CSR practices in Bangladesh by MNCs are centered around
namely poverty alleviation, healthcare, education, charity activities, cultural
enrichment, youth development, women empowerment, patronizing sports
and music etc. these activities are devised to be the partners in development
as responsible citizen.
13
7/28/2019 CSR in an MNC in BD, Unilever
14/23
VII. A case study of CSR of an MNS in Bangladesh: Unilever
Bangladesh Limited
In describing CSR policy, Unilever Bangladesh Limited
states that, We seek to make a positive impact on society
through the brands we produce and sell, through our
commercial operations and relationships, through the
voluntary contributions we make to the community and
through our wider engagement with society. We are also committed to
making continuous improvements in the management of our environmental
impacts and to working towards our longer-term goal of developing a
sustainable business.
Unilever Bangladesh set itself at an exemplary position in the country
as an imitable leader in the area of corporate engagement in social
development. In 2006, Unilever Bangladesh was honored with a national
level CSR award organized by Standard Chartered Bank and the Daily
Financial Express.
Some of the key CSR activities carrying out by UBL are explained
shortly below:
Pepsodent Dentibus: The Dentibus is a modified bus sponsored and
managed by Pepsodent, that goes around the country carrying free
dental check up facilities and expert advice of good oral care. As part
of the program, Dr. Tanjin, a dental surgeon of Pepsodent Dentibus,
gave free checkups to over a 100 students of Bangladesh Agricultural
Research Institute (BARI) high school in Gazipur. The Dentibus
checkups start in the mornings, while general people outside the
school are also encouraged to receive these free checkups in the
afternoon. The Dentibus usually spends an entire day in an area amid
much announcements and hype so that everyone can be benefited
from the Dentibus Visit.
14
7/28/2019 CSR in an MNC in BD, Unilever
15/23
Fair and Lovely Foundation scholarship Program: The
Scholarship Program invites applications from undergraduate female
students from across the country, through various newspaper
advertisements. The participants go through a preliminary screening
process conducted by the biweekly magazine The Anannya, while a
specialized panel of judges from relevant fields interviewed the final
nominees. Fair & Lovely Foundation is a social initiative of Unilever
Bangladesh Ltd. that is involved in projects in the areas of education,
carrier and enterprise.
Nurse Training Program on Ma o Shishu General Hospital: On
1st November, 2006 Unilever inaugurated a 2-month training program
for the nurses of Maa O Shishu General Hospital to help upgrade the
skills and capabilities of the nursing staff at the hospital. A specialist
team of consultants from the Tata Institute of Social Science and
Wockhardt Hospital, India are conducting the training workshop, which
is being attended by 25 nurses from the hospital. Unilever Bangladesh
has had a long association with Maa O Shishu General Hospital in
Chittagong. In 2004, UBL sponsored the setting up of a modernoperation facility at the Hospital. This included the modernization of
the existing operation theatre and setting up of a new one together
with an advanced Intensive Care Unit. This has provided Chittagong
with facilities for high quality medical care for mothers and children
from economically weaker sections of the society.
Unilever helps support underprivileged children: Unilever
Bangladesh Limited (UBL) and Shathi Shamaj Kalyan Samity (SSKS)
signed an agreement on 3rd May 2007 to continue Unilevers support to
the operation of a school for underprivileged children. The school is for
underprivileged children living in slum areas of Banani and UBL has
supported the school and its activities since 2005 and apart from
15
7/28/2019 CSR in an MNC in BD, Unilever
16/23
giving financial support, Unilever managers have also personally
helped by teaching students of the school.
Unilever helps to rehabilitate the Sidr victims: Unilever
Bangladesh Limited (UBL) has taken up a project to rebuild the SIDR
affected village of Char Nazir under the Galachipa Thana. As part of
this project, housing will be built for approximately 75 families.
Additionally a cow or goat will also be provided to them for income
generation. The total cost of this project is estimated to be Tk 80 Lakh.
Other initiatives under this project include the installation of deep tube
wells and the rebuilding of retail outlets in the village. UBL will work in
close collaboration with the Bangladesh Army to make this project
happen. The managers of UBL have also donated an additional Tk 3.5
Lakh from their salary the proceeds of which will go towards funding
this initiative. In another initiative, Unilever Managers distributed about
Tk 1.5 Lack worth of relief to SIDR victims. The distribution was done in
Patharghata in Barguna District. Relief material included lanterns,
common utensils like bowls, gas lighters and biscuits and clothing such
as shawls and sweaters. A further Tk 24 Lakh has also been distributed
among the distributors staffs who were affected by the cyclone and
another Tk 25 Lakh has been donated to the British Business Group
(BBG) for rebuilding a school in Majher Char.
Unilever managers distribute relief materials to flood affected
people: Unilever Bangladesh managers have contributed from their
salary to provide relief materials to the flood affected people of the
country. This relief material was in the form of five kg relief packs
containing Chal, Dal, Salt, Dry Biscuits, Orsaline and Water purifying
tablets. Using the distribution strength of the Company, Unilever
Bangladesh managers distributed these packs in fourteen areas across
the country through their regional offices in Dhaka, Sylhet, Bogra and
16
7/28/2019 CSR in an MNC in BD, Unilever
17/23
Khulna. Recently, Unilever Bangladesh also handed over a cheque for
Taka 20 lakhs to the Chief Advisor, Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed, towards the
flood relief fund at his office.
Unilever Bangladesh and CARE to create business
opportunities for Rural Women: Unilever Bangladesh Limited and
CARE Bangladesh signed an agreement on 3rd December 2006 to
create sustainable business opportunities for a thousand rural women
of Bangladesh Unilever Bangladesh already has an existing project
called Joyeeta, an initiative through which opportunities are currently
provided to nearly 2000 women in rural Bangladesh for sustainable self
employment. While CARE Bangladesh has experience of working with
rural women in different areas of the country through Rural Sales
Program in order to create income and employment opportunity for
the rural poor women through linking them with market. With the
support from CARE, this rural sales project named "Aparajita", UBL will
be able to expand this initiative to reach 20 more Upazillas of the
countrys northern and eastern districts. This is a unique initiative of an
international NGO and a global private partner coming together to
facilitate the empowerment of under privileged women of the country.
Unilever gives support to Asian University in Chittagong:
Unilever Bangladesh Limited (UBL) signed an agreement with the Asian
University for Women Support Foundation (AUWSF) on 27 th May 2007
to create a fund for two scholarships titled the Unilever Bangladesh
Scholarships. Mr. Rakesh Mohan, Chairman and Managing Director of
Unilever Bangladesh Ltd and Mr. Kamal Ahmad, President and CEO,
AUWSF signed the agreement on behalf of their respective
organizations. This scholarship fund will enable two Bangladeshi
nationals to study on full scholarship for five years at the Asian
University for Women (AUW), a premier and state-of-the-art higher
17
7/28/2019 CSR in an MNC in BD, Unilever
18/23
education institution for women that is scheduled to be inaugurated in
Chittagong, Bangladesh. AUW is a residential university designed to
offer 2,500 high potential young women from across Asia high
international level higher education to help prepare them to be change
agents in society. Unilevers scholarship programme starts with AUWs
first incoming class of freshmen in September 2009 and runs up till
2014.
Unilever Jointly Sponsors a Chevening Scholarship: Unilever
Bangladesh Limited and the British High Commission signed an
agreement on 11th September 2006 to jointly fund a Chevening
Scholarship titled the Unilever Chevening Scholarship for a
Bangladeshi national wishing to study in a University in the United
Kingdom. The fields of study included for the Unilever Chevening
Scholarship are the areas of Health, Education and Womens
Empowerment. Chevening Scholarships are prestigious scholarships
awarded by the UKs Foreign and Commonwealth Office, aimed at
providing opportunities for post-graduate study in the UK for young
professionals in early or mid-careers who demonstrate both academic
excellence and the potential to become leaders, decision-makers and
opinion-formers in their own countries.
18
7/28/2019 CSR in an MNC in BD, Unilever
19/23
VIII. Future of CSR in Bangladesh:
As part of CPDs publication activity, CPD held a Roundtable at CIRDAP
auditorium on August 4, 2002, on the theme of Corporate Social
Responsibility: Where do we stand?. Based on the study, the keynotespeaker Dr Ananya Raihan advocated the following policy options for the
corporate stakeholders:
For the Companies
1 a. As both the civil society group and workers hold negative opinions
about the corporate responsibility, companies have to seriously
consider how to restore their image.
2 b. The variability of perceptions indicates specific areas where to
intervene and set priorities. All the controversial issues including the
overtime issue should be taken note of and settled through a multi-
stakeholder initiative.
3 c. Environmental concerns should receive greater attention by the
companies.
4 d. Gender aspects should be more carefully addressed and monitored
for their implementation.
5 e. Corporate-community relations are found to be strained. The
corporate owners and executives should consult and communicate
with the local communities on a regular basis.
6 f. Health and safety issues deserve greater attention given that failure
in these areas impact negatively on the productivity and endanger
human life.
7 g. More consultation should take place between the employers and the
employees so that a team spiritis restored in the corporate.For the Civil Society
1 a. Should enhance their participation as a stakeholder in the corporate
affairs for holding the corporate entities accountable to the greater
segment of the populace
19
7/28/2019 CSR in an MNC in BD, Unilever
20/23
2 b. Should contribute to the process of awareness building of all the
stakeholders so that the corporate do not function in an exploitative
condition.
3 c. Should contribute to the process of multi-stakeholder exchange of
views and ideas in terms of both initiating and organizing multi-
stakeholder forums
4 d. Policy advocacy
For the Government
1 a. Provide policy guidelines for smooth functioning of the corporate
entities
2 b. Monitor and enforce laws related to labour issues, environment
protection, health and safety issues
c. Provide the logistic support for enhancing the overall corporate
standard and stay and carefully monitor the initiatives of the global
trade partners and regimes so as to ensure that the corporate
responsibility issue is not used as a pretext for market access barrier.
At another Roundtable Corporate Social Responsibilities (CSR)
Practices and Challenges in Bangladesh, organized by CSR Center of
Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI), held on Thursday, 23 February, 2006,
speakers identified dearth of expertise, poor accountability as major
obstacles to obstacles to practicing CSR in Bangladesh. They elaborated that
lack of expertise and poor accountability of corporate houses are obstacles
to implementation of CSR in Bangladesh. The speakers also said many CSR
activities by Bangladeshi corporate houses are centered mainly on publicity
and short-term implications. The BEI roundtable on CSR titled 'Corporate
Social Responsibility Practices and Challenges in Bangladesh' was a part of
its 'Dialogue Series on CSR in Action'.
Sanjiv S Mehta, chairman and managing director of Unilever
Bangladesh Ltd, Mohammad Abu Musa, deputy managing director of
20
7/28/2019 CSR in an MNC in BD, Unilever
21/23
Dhaka Bank Ltd, and Mohin Khan, executive assistant (Board Affairs) of
BRAC, spoke at the discussion.
BEI President Farooq Sobhan said corporate entities should understand
what CSR is and why it is important. The private sector enterprises will
remain weak unless and until they practice CSR in their ventures, the BEI
president said, adding that when it comes to adopting good corporate
governance, Bangladeshi companies are lagging far behind those in India,
Pakistan and Sri Lanka. "Properly implemented CSR programs help the
companies meet legal and societal expectations and benefit governments,
employees, citizens and businesses," noted Farooq. On the other hand,
poorly implemented CSR programs are nothing but public relationsexercises, he mentioned.
21
7/28/2019 CSR in an MNC in BD, Unilever
22/23
IX. Conclusion
The modern concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is
evolving gradually despite several hindrances. Driving forces behind this
evolution is pressure from various stakeholders (Importers,Environmentalists) while slow progress is attributed to lack of Good
Governance, absence of strong labor unions, consumer forums and above all
lack of unders tanding by business houses, specifically non-exporting
ones, that CSR is not charity but is rather an instrumental investment.
The global competitiveness and demand is driving the CSR practices
and standards in Bangladesh, a developing country. But we are yet go a long
way. There are challenges to implement CSR properly in Bangladesh.Ultimately CSR practices should be better practiced in Bangladesh for better
and enhanced performance. In the publication Good Governance and
Market-Based Reforms: A Study of Bangladesh, Fara Azmat and Ken Coghill
relates Good Governance with CSR by discussing the good governance
indicators of regulatory quality, rule of law and control of corruption in the
context of Bangladesh and analyses how lack of good governance indicators
affects the success and sustainability of reforms and contributes to the lack
of business ethics and CSR in Bangladesh.
22
7/28/2019 CSR in an MNC in BD, Unilever
23/23
References:
1. Green Paper on CSR, Asia Link Program, The European Union
2. Corporate Social Responsibilities: Practices and Challenges in
Bangladesh, Roundtable by Bangladesh Enterprise Institute (BEI),
Dhaka
3. Corporate Social Responsibility: Where do we stand? Roundtable by
Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), Dhaka
4. Good governance and market-based reforms: a study of Bangladesh,
Fara Azmat and Ken Coghill
5. www.unilever.com.bd
6. www.csrbangladesh.org
7. Anupama Mohan, Global corporate social responsibilities management
in MNCs, Journal of Business Strategies, Huntsville: Spring 2006. Vol.
23, Issue 1
8. Logsdon, J. M. & Wood, D. J. (2002). Business Citizenship: From
Domestic to Global Level of Analysis. Business Ethics Quarterly, 12,
155-187.
23
http://www.unilever.com.bd/http://www.csrbangladesh.org/http://www.unilever.com.bd/http://www.csrbangladesh.org/Top Related