Leadership and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) are some of the key organizational challenges in the 21st-century world, which is shaped by leaders. In order to develop a sustainable world, the connection of ethics and leadership plays an important role in encouraging moral and ethical behavior (Saeidi et al., 2015). In the following, and effort has been made to discuss the leadership for CSR and sustainability issues in the 21st century.
It has been considering that leadership is a very complex concept in which leaders aim to build the enterprise with own characteristics and values. The companies should take positive steps to address sustainable and ethical issues and apply the applied tools of ethics in their management practice (Tai and Chuang, 2014).
It is stated that top management usually cascades these management decisions down because sustainability impacts are frequently local, as only a small number of these decisions are produced at corporate headquarters. This approach can help managers to integrate a sustainability strategy into daily operations and connect that strategy to particular actions that enhance both financial performance and sustainability issues (Kolk, 2016).
The managerial actions can lead to positive sustainability performance, Corporate Social Responsibility, and Stakeholder Reactions. It ultimately influences the long-term corporate financial performance. It helps the managers to effectively analyze, pursue environmental and social impacts more efficiently, and manage these potential drivers. These leading companies are committed internally and externally toward enhancing corporate sustainability performance. It is believed that organizational leadership and leadership are the most critical determinants in successfully developing and managing the several trade-offs that are needed to manage environmental, social, and financial performance simultaneously. They are committed to maintaining environmental and social concern, which must be communicated constantly both in actions and words (Setó-Pamies and Papaoikonomou, 2016)
(Scherer et al., 2016)
Through a strategic planning, an organization defines its direction, strategy, and decision making on allocating and distributing its resources to practice this approach, such as its people and capital. It is helpful to trace major developments in organizational behaviour and management that led to focus of attention on such concept as leadership, organizational development, groups, structure and motivations (Dyllick and Muff, 2016)
(Carayannis, Sindakis and Walter, 2015)
There are means of categorizing various models in the analysis of the organization, which are needed to maximize the capabilities of corporation relative to the competition that is important to accomplish success. It is evident that the study of management theory and techniques helps in developing and maintaining interrelationship between the management practice and behaviour in an organization. It is stated that develops a business strategy in order to recognize the internal and external environment of the organization (Upward and Jones, 2016).
It is stated that theories have evolved which is more suited to the present situations. One of the modern management frameworks of Corporate Social Responsibility connected with a bureaucratic organization designed to control behaviour. The bureaucratic management theory is designed to adopt scientific methods and processes, which deal with sustainability issues in the organization. It is used by small entrepreneurial organizations, which focus on maintaining CSR activities of the organization (Feng, Zhu and Lai, 2017).
The Human relations management theory is another concept used by companies. It is believed that this theory gave more attention to Corporate Social Responsibility, which is the most important aspect of business as they integrate CSR activities for different purposes. It is seen that CSR, trust, and leadership are interlinked with each other. It is an important framework, which characterizes organizations and leaders involved in CSR activities for the benefit of community, stakeholders, suppliers, employees, customers, and society. Leaders have an important role in practicing and adopting CSR in the organization. It is a major part of the future perspective of financial and economic gain, which provides an important asset for social success and future profitability. It is an idea of the concept of sustainability to guarantees survival of business and prosperity in a developing environment. It also exceeds the minimum obligation to stakeholders, suppliers, and customers as recognized through corporate governance and regulation (Hörisch, Freeman and Schaltegger, 2014).
It is stated that individuals will have to cooperate with each other in order to perform the task. Therefore, there is a need for those engaged to be motivating and directed to accomplish the goal and perform the task. The leader is important, as they will make sure that the goal or objective of the organization can be accomplished within the time and scope of the limit. Good leadership is needed for groups, business, society, and organizations to succeed in accomplishing the goal. They can motivate others through their capability to influence, inspire, inform and communicate effectively and efficiently. In the leadership style theory, the three styles of leadership i.e. autocratic, democratic, and laissez-faire can be utilized on a team. The autocratic leader generally makes rules and regulations based on a strong sense of discipline and demanding in nature. This type of leader will generally dominate the team if the team is not performing and having a lack of direction (Engert and Baumgartner, 2016).
A democratic leader will motivate members to involved the group member of the team and make them actively participate in giving ideas and assist in coordinating the group. The laissez-faire style of leadership generally does not execute responsibility and authority and believe in doing subordinate all the things (Dyllick, 2015).
It has been argued that the needs and preferences of consumers are now changing, resulting in a change in their belief of organizations. The CSR model is integrating for ethical and sustainable business regulations, which provides the organization a framework to develop a social responsibility towards the environment, society, employees, and other service users. As society and business are attaining an advantage when there is a cordial relationship between them. Society is gaining through economic growth, employment opportunities, and employee engagement. It is also being argued that being socially responsible and sustainable; businesses induce less attention from external agencies, which gives flexibility and greater freedom in their operations. As, businesses have maximum authority and power which is supported by a considerable amount of responsibility (Cascio and Boudreau, 2016).
They should make a close connection with the external environment to avoid a negative influence by which organization would be sustainable and socially responsible. They should protect the interests of a shareholder, which can maintain the image of the organization and achieve success and growth. Companies should make maximum use of the talent, capabilities, and skills of the managerial personnel, and capital resources to generate good quality products and services. They should be accountable to society and generate a proper mechanism in developing CSR activities (Schaltegger, Burritt and Petersen, 2017).
The corporate social responsibility is a significant way for an organization to enhance their contribution to the community and to sustainable growth. They should know that time is changing and there is a continuous shift in the attitude of the consumer towards sustainability and productivity. It is stated that add a sustainable objective to accountable for successfully driving change. Sustainable programs can be arranged to enhance the efficiency of the business, which can save cost and generate profits in the end. Therefore, it is important to build commitment to social welfare and generate customer satisfaction. This will be helpful in respect for the basic values of the organization (Barnett, Henriques and Husted Corregan, 2018).
Taking into consideration of the leadership for CSR and sustainability issues, it can be said that many companies are following the concept of Sustainability, Ethical, Social, and CSR, which is increasing in a very fast pace. They have to continuously attain its goals and strategy and align with the corporate strategy. This can build the opportunity to develop a long-term relationship and enhance the commitment to avoid the negative aspects of the challenges. It can improve the reputation of the organization and gain customer satisfaction and goodwill. It also results in maintaining a relationship and attains greater profits (Laszlo and Zhexembayeva, 2017).
Conclusion
In the conclusion, it has been stated that leaders should provide a safe, protected, and inclusive workplace in order to develop and manage the right talents for the organization, which is the most important concern in the 21st century. They should understand that businesses should be aware of the sustainability issues and CSR activities of the organization. Sustainability issues and community engagement should be more connected with the future business success of the organization.
References
Barnett, M.L., Henriques, I. and Husted Corregan, B. (2018) Governing the Void between Stakeholder Management and Sustainability, 18(1), pp.20-31.
Carayannis, E.G., Sindakis, S. and Walter, C. (2015) Business model innovation as lever of organizational sustainability. The Journal of Technology Transfer, 40(1), pp.85-104.
Cascio, W.F. and Boudreau, J.W. (2016) The search for global competence: From international HR to talent management. Journal of World Business, 51(1), pp.103-114.
Dyllick, T. (2015) Responsible management education for a sustainable world: The challenges for business schools. Journal of Management Development, 34(1), pp.16-33.
Dyllick, T. and Muff, K. 2016) Clarifying the meaning of sustainable business: Introducing a typology from business-as-usual to true business sustainability. Organization & Environment, 29(2), pp.156-174.
Engert, S. and Baumgartner, R.J. (2016) Corporate sustainability strategy–bridging the gap between formulation and implementation. Journal of cleaner production, 113, pp.822-834.
Feng, Y., Zhu, Q. and Lai, K.H. (2017) Corporate social responsibility for supply chain management: A literature review and bibliometric analysis. Journal of Cleaner Production, 158, pp.296-307.
Hörisch, J., Freeman, R.E. and Schaltegger, S. (2014) Applying stakeholder theory in sustainability management: Links, similarities, dissimilarities, and a conceptual framework. Organization & Environment, 27(4), pp.328-346.
Kolk, A. (2016) The social responsibility of international business: From ethics and the environment to CSR and sustainable development. Journal of World Business, 51(1), pp.23-34.
Laszlo, C. and Zhexembayeva, N. (2017) Embedded sustainability. In Embedded Sustainability, 20(3), pp. 116-140.
Saeidi, S.P., Sofian, S., Saeidi, P., Saeidi, S.P. and Saaeidi, S.A. (2015) How does corporate social responsibility contribute to firm financial performance? The mediating role of competitive advantage, reputation, and customer satisfaction. Journal of business research, 68(2), pp.341-350.
Schaltegger, S., Burritt, R. and Petersen, H. (2017) An introduction to corporate environmental management: Striving for sustainability. 1st Ed. London: Routledge.
Scherer, A.G., Rasche, A., Palazzo, G. and Spicer, A. (2016) Managing for political corporate social responsibility: New challenges and directions for PCSR 2.0. Journal of Management Studies, 53(3), pp.273-298.
Setó-Pamies, D. and Papaoikonomou, E. (2016) A multi-level perspective for the integration of ethics, corporate social responsibility and sustainability (ECSRS) in management education. Journal of Business Ethics, 136(3), pp.523-538.
Tai, F.M. and Chuang, S.H. (2014) Corporate social responsibility. Ibusiness, 6(03), p.117.
Upward, A. and Jones, P. (2016) An ontology for strongly sustainable business models: Defining an enterprise framework compatible with natural and social science. Organization & Environment, 29(1), pp.97-123.
Essay Writing Service Features
Our Experience
No matter how complex your assignment is, we can find the right professional for your specific task. Contact Essay is an essay writing company that hires only the smartest minds to help you with your projects. Our expertise allows us to provide students with high-quality academic writing, editing & proofreading services.
Free Features
Free revision policy
$10Free bibliography & reference
$8Free title page
$8Free formatting
$8How Our Essay Writing Service Works
First, you will need to complete an order form. It's not difficult but, in case there is anything you find not to be clear, you may always call us so that we can guide you through it. On the order form, you will need to include some basic information concerning your order: subject, topic, number of pages, etc. We also encourage our clients to upload any relevant information or sources that will help.
Complete the order form
Once we have all the information and instructions that we need, we select the most suitable writer for your assignment. While everything seems to be clear, the writer, who has complete knowledge of the subject, may need clarification from you. It is at that point that you would receive a call or email from us.
Writer’s assignment
As soon as the writer has finished, it will be delivered both to the website and to your email address so that you will not miss it. If your deadline is close at hand, we will place a call to you to make sure that you receive the paper on time.
Completing the order and download