Q.Using newspapers, magazines and other business references, identify and describe at least three companies that you think are socially responsible and three that you think are socially irresponsible.

Judge each company against the marks of social responsibility — how it treats shareholders, workers, consumers, and the government and community, and whether it protects the environment and behaves ethically. …

The yardstick to use

• Assess each company by how well it meets its responsibilities to its four interest groups and by its ethical and environmental conduct:
  • Shareholders/owners: fair, safe returns and honest disclosure.
  • Workers: meaningful work, good conditions, fair wages, right to unionise.
  • Consumers: right quality and quantity at reasonable prices, honest advertising, right to information.
  • Government and community: obeying laws, paying taxes honestly, being a good citizen, protecting the environment.

How to find and present them

• Socially responsible companies (find three): look for firms reported for supplying good-quality goods at fair prices, healthy working conditions, honest tax payment, installing pollution-control devices, sincerely handling complaints, and running CSR programmes (education, health, Swachh Bharat, skill development, help to marginalised groups). For each, note the specific behaviour and cite the newspaper/magazine/report where you found it.
• Socially irresponsible companies (find three): look for firms reported for adulteration or poor quality, misleading advertising, evading taxes, polluting air/water/land, or exploiting workers. Again, describe the specific act and cite the source.

Tips …