Innovations in technology are helping companies to maintain their corporate social responsibility commitments, according to a survey by BBC. CSR is the division in companies that protect the environment, help poor people around the world, and be responsible for the planet where people live. More and more corporations see the value in having CSR commitments. Customers choose companies based on their CSR activities, and investors like to buy stocks in companies that are responsible.
In the past, customers learned about CSR through advertising or company information. Now, corporations are using social media and online forums to engage their customers and enlist their help in their projects. This promotes brand loyalty and a customer who feels good about what he or she is doing. This trend is happening in the United States and throughout the world. For example, in the United Kingdom, Neighbourly, an online platform, has linked charities and projects with department stores. The British department store Marks and Spencer began an initiative that redistributed surplus food to people who needed it. Neighbourly is expected to redistribute 1 million meals through M&S’s network. Neighbourly also has organized 2,500 days of volunteering promised by Starbucks. The volunteering supports 70 local projects.
Other online platforms, such as Helpful Peeps, are bringing volunteers together with projects to support. The volunteers help the companies find the projects they want to support. People are using Facebook and other sites to talk about their projects and get support from corporations. Social media allows ideas to begin at the grassroots level to the executive level that always supports community projects. Corporations help with expertise, skills, and financial support.
