social responsibility

Meaning

Social responsibility is an ethical framework suggesting that an organization or individual has an obligation to act for the benefit of society at large. In business, this involves policies like reducing carbon footprints, donating to charities, and maintaining fair labor practices. It shows that a company cares about its impact on the world, not just its financial bottom line.

Examples

• Our company's social responsibility policy includes donating ten percent of our profits to local charities.

  Our company's social responsibility policy includes donating ten percent of our profits to local charities.

• Consumers today expect brands to demonstrate real social responsibility, not just talk about it.

  Consumers today expect brands to demonstrate real social responsibility, not just talk about it.

• Investing in renewable energy is a key part of their corporate social responsibility initiative.

  Investing in renewable energy is a key part of their corporate social responsibility initiative.

• The firm was criticized for failing to meet its social responsibility when they polluted the local river.

  The firm was criticized for failing to meet its social responsibility when they polluted the local river.

• We need to balance our drive for profit with our social responsibility to the community.

  We need to balance our drive for profit with our social responsibility to the community.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ The company has a high social response.

  ✓ The company has a high sense of social responsibility.

  A 'response' is a reaction. 'Responsibility' is the duty or obligation to act ethically toward society.

• ✗ They practice social responsibility by only hiring people who are very social.

  ✓ They practice social responsibility by implementing eco-friendly policies.

  In this business context, 'social' refers to society and community welfare, not to being outgoing, talkative, or friendly.

Related Expressions

Practice

• Many modern consumers choose brands based on their commitment to ___.

  💡 The obligation of businesses to act ethically and benefit society.

  Show answer

  social responsibility

• Our new environmental policy is a core element of our corporate ___.

  💡 Often abbreviated as CSR.

  Show answer

  social responsibility