A company's obligations to protect and develop the environment in which it operates or operates can be defined as social responsibility. Poor working conditions, especially in developing countries, have reached a level that cannot be ignored. Therefore, non-governmental organizations endeavor to improve working conditions. Thanks to these efforts, it is becoming more and more noticeable whether companies act in accordance with their social responsibilities either during the investment decision stage or in production according to their field of activity.
Today, every company that produces a good or service, social responsibility behaviors. Social responsibility approach is to contribute to the sustainable development of companies. In order to increase the welfare of the environment and society, companies must establish and apply certain criteria. These criteria are necessary for the continuation of the activities and the measurement of the overall performance.
The biggest economic responsibility of the companies is to ensure the survival of the company. Firms must fulfill their legal obligations in order to survive. Today, however, it is not enough for companies to comply with legal regulations in order to ensure their continuity. The customer base of the company expects the company to fulfill its responsibilities towards society. It is very important for companies to take such responsibilities into account for their long-term sustainability.
In order to fulfill their social responsibilities, companies may turn to different practices and choose different ways. For example, purposeful marketing, or social marketing or green marketing can be chosen. Or they can work together with a non-governmental organization. It is also seen that companies are trying to benefit the society in terms of artistic, cultural, educational, scientific, environmental, health or safety issues within the scope of social responsibility.
Social responsibility concept 1970'li began to be used in the early years. This concept has spread all over the world especially with the influence of international companies. While large companies do business with various countries of the world, they have spread their social responsibility practices to other countries as well as their products and ways of working.
Social responsibility does not only mean compliance with legal regulations. Environment means investing more in relationships with people and stakeholders. Using environmentally sensitive technologies and directing investments with a sense of responsibility is a factor that increases the competitiveness of organizations. At the same time, social responsibility is an important social communication tool for companies to be closer to customers, not only business relations but also emotional ties, and to be preferred among competitors.
What is SA 8000 Social Responsibility Standard?
Poor working conditions in developing or underdeveloped countries have necessitated certain steps by developed countries that are more sensitive to human rights. The emergence and development of the SA 8000 Social Responsibility standard is the result of such an obligation.
SA 8000 Social Responsibility standard, in 1997 Prepared by the Social Accountability International, SAI. The main objective of the standard is to protect the fundamental rights of employees. Shortly thereafter, in 2001, a working committee was established to renew this standard. This working board finalized the SA 8000 standard on the basis of the International Labor Organization conventions, the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. Academicians, trade unions, employers and human rights and children's rights organizations also took part in this working group.
SA 8000 standard more effective working conditions and, in a sense, quality of work and life. Changes and researches in the world have affected business life and employers' perspective of employees. Employers are now aware of their responsibilities towards society.
With SA 8000 Social Responsibility standard Within the scope of social responsibility, companies have the opportunity to measure the economic, environmental and social impacts of company activities against the related parties, to make improvements according to the negative results and to work towards increasing and improving the welfare of the society.
However, the SA 8000 standard cannot be said to be very interested in processes. It has a more prescriptive and result-oriented structure. This standard is more suitable for the manufacturing sector. There are five or six companies in our country that establish and implement SA 8000 Social Responsibility standards.
ISO 26000: 2010 Social Responsibility Management System
The SA 8000 Social Responsibility standard described above was published by the International Standards Organization in 2010 as ISO 26000: 2010 Social Responsibility Management System. For the ISO 26000 standard, it can be said that it is the first document to be agreed on social responsibility terms and practices.
The ISO 26000 standard is capable of guiding, rather than addressing, the demands. Rather, it explains what the company's social responsibilities are and what to do in order to operate effectively. It does not care about the size of firms, where they are or in which sector they operate. With this feature, certification is not made for ISO 26000 standard as in other management systems.
Social responsibility is an important factor not only for the private sector companies to be more competitive in international markets, protection of the environment, the participation of employees in business processes more effectively, and the development of civil society private sector cooperation, but also for the realization of sustainable development.
The ISO 26000 standard enhances the company's reputation and community confidence in the organization. As it increases the brand recognition and customer loyalty of the firm, it also increases the competitiveness of the firm and facilitates its access to different markets. In short, it makes the company the preferred business partner.
In today's world, technological, economic and political developments increase the interdependence of the units forming the societies. Both individuals and companies have serious responsibilities for the development and sustainability of welfare. It is not enough for companies to provide good and high quality products or services, but they need to protect all their resources and make them sustainable.
What Does the Application of ISO 26000 Standard Gain in the Company?
The companies that have established and implemented ISO 26000 Social Responsibility Management System in their business have made the company infrastructure ready for sustainability. It also increases social and environmental value added.
With the implementation of the ISO 26000 standard, discipline is ensured in terms of working conditions of child workers, forced laborers, labor union rights and collective bargaining rights of employees, working hours, salaries and wages of employees, health and safety conditions, discrimination and disciplinary practices within the company and many more. . Besides, it is not enough for companies to apply ISO 26000 standard alone. Other companies and suppliers that they do business with must also comply with this standard. Companies support sustainable development with this standard.
With the establishment of ISO 26000 Social Responsibility Management System, the social responsibility performance of the companies is affected as follows:
- The reputation and reputation of the company increases
- In competitive conditions, its competitors are always one step ahead
- The company acquires new customers more easily and protects existing customers
- Company employees morale, loyalty and productivity increases
- Perceptions of investors, shareholders, sponsors and other organizations change
- Develop relationships with other firms, government agencies, media, competitors and customers
our organization TÜRCERT Technical Control and Certification Inc.Is ready to help with any doubts about ISO 26000 Social Responsibility Management System.