CSR & Internet Influence

"IBM Study: Corporate Social Responsibility"

           As well all know, the Internet has revolutionized  not only the world, but ourselves and the way we do business. Looking at the more local things, it has changed both companies and consumers. It has changed business, making them more visible and open, much like glass that the consumer can press their face up against the glass and stare through any time they wish. Consumer's now care about the business they purchase from; what those business are doing for themselves, their families, and their communities. People can now just grab almost any information they want/need of off the Internet, and easily compare between companies.The people are easily swayed and influenced by corporations and what they "offer" the consumer's, but waving benefits in front of their faces as if the consumers were nothing but starving dogs. Companies are noticing the amount of people pushing up against the hypothetical glass, and noticing the difference it makes the more they show the gears of the company. They see this, and they change out the concrete walls to glass panes, but only in places that place them in good lighting. 

           Companies are also using the Internet to further themselves and their sales, but taking the voice of consumers that were not heard through the concrete walls before, and laying them all out on the floor. The companies place their logo on these artworks, claiming it as their own, and increase their profit off of the consumers. The consumers voice ends up being a way for the consumer to suggest to the company a way to get them to buy more of a product they already own. Profit before consumers.

[Photo Source: www.iccsr.org]

            "The survey, "Attaining Sustainable Growth Through Corporate Social Responsibility," indicates many companies now view CSR as a growth opportunity and not just a regulatory compliance. Sixty-eight percent of those surveyed say they are using CSR activities to help generate revenue. In addition, many companies also view these types of initiatives as a way to gain a competitive advantage and access new business opportunities." - George Pohle: VP & Global Leader, Business Strategy Consulting, IBM Global Business Services. 

          Many companies are not seeing the benefit of CSR and the visibility for their consumers to have the accessibility to the corporation. The corporations are trying to scrub all the smudge off of the windows from the people pressing up against them, trying too peek around the concrete wall and see what is hiding. Consumers may be sheep, but they are not as dim witted as most businesses and marketers make them out to be. With the Internet, it's almost impossible to hide things away from your customers.  

By: Skylar McGeorge

Reference's:
1) Internet & Corporate Social Responsibility
2) Initiatives by Industry
3) Communicating Corporate Social Responsibility on the Internet