Corporate social responsibility is a term that
acts as a moral monitor for businesses to keep themselves accountable. It
covers the companies conformity to obey the law and high ethical standards that
are set by the consumers. Active CSR companies would emphasize its positive
involvement with the community, environment, employees, and customers.
Several companies, including Toyota, are promoting their
CSR through the research and development of environment-friendly cars. Toyota
has stated in their 2011 Corporate Social Responsibility Report that they are
“directing their efforts into creating plants which harmonize with nature and
coexist with our communities in progressing to reduce CO2 and save energy
during production.” (1) Not only is Toyota one of the top leading sellers in
the Hybrid car product line, but now they are currently aiming to develop
production facilities and machinery that will have less harm to the communities
and environments that surround them.
Toyota has also released statements that mention their
contributions to the damaged areas from the 2011 Japanese earthquake and made it a priority on resuming production of supply parts for
vehicles in need of repair used in recovery efforts and the disaster area. (1) Toyota Auto Body also donated 100 million yen to disaster
relief efforts, and then from the collected contributions donated six vehicles.
(1) On top of these offerings, Toyota also sent drinking water, food, and other
living necessities to the victims of the disaster-stricken Japanese land. (1) They
claim that “Industry is said to be a public institution of our society.” (1)
Toyota Auto Body provides a useful service in society, and makes an effort to
provide vehicles which meet the average customer’s expectations, as well as
those of the elderly, the handicapped, and customers throughout the world “in
looking to continue as a corporation needed by society”. (1)
Sources
(1) http://www.toyota-body.co.jp/english/csr/index.html
(Image) https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfk_uo3pdfAB0OS6B0g-1jiv5x65tK0to65r6tuIo14h9F48U1whHccDih1Cc-1it2gcbqF3NNnU644wXswbVIoxl7HlID94InK-_n6Ko9PNx3S6FP0Ey0kxZnMeYwxaeETxuxfz0_epy/s1600/toyota.jpg
Sources
(1) http://www.toyota-body.co.jp/english/csr/index.html
(Image) https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQfk_uo3pdfAB0OS6B0g-1jiv5x65tK0to65r6tuIo14h9F48U1whHccDih1Cc-1it2gcbqF3NNnU644wXswbVIoxl7HlID94InK-_n6Ko9PNx3S6FP0Ey0kxZnMeYwxaeETxuxfz0_epy/s1600/toyota.jpg
2 comments:
Good marketing on Toyota's part.... the skeptic in me wonders how this translates into actual policy though. Toyota has become to some the face of the green auto movement, largely thanks to the Prius being on the market before many other hybrids and its unique, highly recognizable design. My question is how this translates into actual green policy.
Dan, I see your skepticism. Too often good marketing replaces actual corporate social responsibility. However, I think something like the Prius is tangible proof that Toyota makes significant strides in social responsibility. Sure, that can be used as a marketing tool, but good promotion tells us that if you're doing something good it's pointless if we don't let people know about it. Yet companies get more tangled up in letting people know than they do in actually doing more. It's certainly an interesting balance.
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