Formation Conditions of Corporate Social Responsibility in Organizational Culture

Abstract

Corporate social responsibility is societal expectation of corporate behavior: behaviors that are felt by the stakeholders to be socially or morally required. Value orientation of the managers is extremely important in shaping their perception of the importance for the enterprise to focus attention and act according to its social responsibility. There is a further expression of social responsibility relating to the values that managers might observe. This area is normally known as business ethics, referred to as the role of the individual in the organization. Under the current economical and globalization conditions, companies in Latvia have to be aware of the importance of the enterprises’ social responsibility in the formation of a successful long term development, efficient working environment and company’s publicity. It is crucial for enterprises in Latvia to incorporate the principles of social responsibility in company mottos, in their values, organizational culture and planning. This study investigates the relationship between organizational values and sensitivity to corporate social responsibility among current employees and business students. Using a questionnaire on value orientation, survey data was collected from a sample of 618 employees in enterprises and banks, 100 clerks of public sector and 125 first year business students. The results of the study show some groups of employees that are remarkably different in relation to their social responsibility. Informal education that is provided by employers is an important way and efficient means how to make the ideas of social responsibility understandable and acceptable among the employees. However, given the objective differences among the employees, usage of the same study methods and forms in all organizations is impossible. Therefore, in order to ensure the quality and efficiency of studies, it is necessary to learn the individual qualities and differences of the employees.