What is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)?

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), depending on the organisation, may only focus on social issues, either to address community needs or to ensure the safety, health and coexistence of its employees and their families.

In other cases, social responsibility responds to an evolution from individual philanthropy through corporate philanthropy and is shaped with the help of a corporate foundation. But most socially responsible organisations involve other integral concepts such as environment and corporate ethics that add value to the operation and thereby serve other stakeholders with very specific needs, such as shareholders and investors, government and – why not – the environment.

Linked to the company’s basic activity
Have a vocation of permanence
Involve a commitment from top management

There is agreement on the broad thematic areas covered by CSR: economic, social and environmental. However, if there is one thing that characterises CSR, it is its multidimensional nature, which affects different areas of business management:

• human rights
• labour and employment practices
• health protection
• environmental issues
• anti-fraud and corruption
• consumer interests

Principles of Corporate Social Responsibility

Corporate CSR is based on principles, in general terms, whose pillars are respect for the environment and the social benefits of its surroundings, together with the objective of adding value to its actions.

According to the ISO 26000 standard, which serves as a guide for companies to implement measures aimed at managing corporate social responsibility, we have the following principles:

Accountability

Companies have an obligation to apply the principles of transparency because of the impact their actions can have on society, the economy and the environment. They must therefore be accountable to society as a whole for all their actions.

Transparency

Companies must have corporate transparency policies through which they offer clear information in understandable language and formats accessible to all stakeholders, from internal (employees, managers, shareholders, etc.) to external (suppliers, administrations, customers, etc.).

Ethical conduct

Companies should observe ethical conduct, based on the values of honesty, fairness and integrity.

Respect for stakeholder interests

A company should respect, consider and respond to the interests of its owners, shareholders, partners and employees, as well as to other individuals or groups who may have specific rights, claims or interests to be taken into account.

Respect for the principle of legality

All companies must be committed, at all levels, to legal awareness and compliance, especially because since 2015, companies as legal entities can be held criminally liable.

Respect for international standards of behaviour

Companies should respect international standards of behaviour with regard to social responsibility. If there are conflicts between national and international standards, actions should be sought to maximise respect for both.

Respect for human rights

All companies should be aware of and promote respect for human rights, as enshrined in the Universal Charter of Human Rights, by incorporating its principles into their internal codes of conduct.

Why is it important for a company to take corporate social responsibility measures?

Companies that practice corporate social responsibility aim to improve their communities, the economy or the environment.

Corporate social responsibility, or CSR, is a form of self-regulation that reflects a company’s responsibility and commitment to contribute to the well-being of communities and society through various environmental and social measures.

CSR plays a crucial role in a company’s brand perception, its attractiveness to customers, employees and investors, talent retention and overall business success.

A company can undertake four types of CSR efforts: environmental initiatives, charitable work, ethical labour practices and volunteer projects.

The definition of business success goes beyond profitability, growth rate and brand recognition. In today’s world, customers, employees and other stakeholders judge a company by how it impacts the community, the economy, the environment and society at large. In other words, whether it cares about the greater good and not just profit. Corporate social responsibility practices are a way of demonstrating your company’s stance on this.

Key points for a company to be sustainable.

In recognition of the importance of socially responsible efforts for their customers, employees and stakeholders, many companies focus on four broad categories of CSR.

Environmental efforts: One of the main objectives of CSR is the environment. Companies have a large carbon footprint, regardless of their size. Any action a company can take to reduce its footprint is considered good for both the company and society.

Philanthropy: Companies can practice social responsibility by donating money, products or services to social causes and non-profit organisations. Larger companies often have abundant resources that can benefit local charities and community programmes; however, even as a small business, your efforts can make a difference. If you have a specific charity or programme in mind, contact the organisation. Ask them about their specific needs and whether a donation of money, time or products from your company would be best for them.

Ethical labour practices: Companies can demonstrate their CSR by treating their employees fairly and ethically. This is especially true for companies operating in international locations with labour laws that differ from those in the United States.
Volunteering: Participating in local causes or dedicating your time (and that of your staff) to community events speaks volumes about your company’s sincerity. When your company does good deeds without expecting anything in return, it expresses concern (and support) for specific issues and social causes.

The future of business: CSR

The future holds exciting prospects for corporate social responsibility. Current CSR trends and innovations suggest that CSR will play an increasingly important role in the way companies approach business and engage with communities.

Customers and employees have also raised the bar on sustainability. Leading sustainability practices have already shifted from a focus on minimising local damage to reversing global climate change.

As in previous eras, technology will continue to aid the evolution of corporate social responsibility. Social distancing requirements have already forced companies to innovate and adopt virtual volunteering initiatives. Many of these initiatives are likely to continue well beyond the current crisis. Technology is also likely to disrupt major industries and create dislocation of workers. Leading companies will have the opportunity to address this dislocation through education and training, creating value not only for their shareholders but also for society.

What is CSR for SINTAC?

We consider CSR to be the main focus of our company’s strategy. We see sustainability and the success of Sintac as two dependent actors, through which we can promote a sustainable economic model and a sustainable society.

We transmit this vision to society through our business activities; recycling plastics, designing sustainability projects and developing green marketing campaigns.

Corporate Social Responsibility Actions

Due to Sintac’s strong social and environmental commitment, we are involved in various solidarity initiatives, social integration projects and climate action campaigns, thus contributing to the transition towards a more responsible world”.

Among them we participate in:

Clean up days

Clean-up days of natural spaces with our team and their families.

Food donation

Collaboration with food banks and NGOs.

Conservation of the Black Vulture

Custodian of the habitat of the black vulture in Mallorca, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Helping hands

Purchase and recycling of PET and HDPE bottle caps from NGOs to finance social projects.

Guitarrantártica

Co-sponsorship of expedition to Antarctica to raise awareness of climate change.

NGO Xaloc

Conservation of cetaceans and sea turtles on the Spanish Mediterranean coast.

The ultimate goal is a systemic shift towards a circular economy.

The MacArthur Foundation states that the ultimate goal is a systemic change that requires a new way of thinking. We must be aware that this is a long road and that we still have a long way to go. But we are working to accelerate the transition, and there are many companies, including SINTAC, that are leading by example and gaining traction.