Indian CSR Initiatives

Initiatives undertaken in India included

Industry Association Initiative – Leading Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India are traditionally active in social and environmental norms. Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), CII works closely in partnership with Government. CII in partnership with UNDP set up India Partnership Forum to promote multi stakeholders approach to CSR. Social Development Council (SDC) set up by CII, ensures corporate participation in social development and provides an institutional base for social activities of the corporate sector. Progress, Harmony and Development chambers of commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) has major interventions in family welfare and rural development. Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) through their members provided drinking water in 110 villages by 1996 on occasion of its platinum Jubilee. Bombay Chambers of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) have been consistently on issues of populations and civic conditions in Mumbai.

Company Initiatives – An internet-based survey was conducted to understand the philosophy & deployment of CSR as practiced (innovatively and in a sustained manner) for National and International organizations.

Roundtables and Networks in India – Corporate Roundtable on Development of Strategies for the Environment and Sustainable Development – Business Council for Sustainable Development (CoRE-BCSD) of India is a grouping of Indian corporate trying collectively and individually to build in sustainable development concepts into their operations. The British Council’s CSR Network was towards promoting CSR and generating awareness and interest amongst young future business leaders.

CSR Surveys – In the context of India, CSR studies were few and limited. Singh and Ahuja 1983 conducted the first study in India on CSR of 40 Indian public sector companies for the years 1975-76 and found that 40 percent of the companies disclosed more than 30 percent of total disclosure items included in their survey. Raman (2006) used content analysis technique to

examine the chairman’s message section in the annual reports of the top 50 companies in India to identify the extent and nature of social reporting. This study concluded that the Indian companies placed emphasis on product improvements and development of human resources (Raman, 2006). According to a survey done by Partners in Change 2000, which covered 600 companies and 20 CEOs for judging Corporate Involvement in Social Development in India 85 percent agreed that companies need to be socially responsible; only 11 percent companies had a written policy; over 60 percent of the companies were making monetary donations; health, education and infrastructure were most supported issues.

From 2000 onwards, 4 important surveys have been conducted, which give significant macro level conclusions about Indian corporate. The first and second surveys were carried out in 2001 and 2002 by Business Community Foundation for TERI-Europe. The survey sought to explore the perception of workers, company executives and general public about social, economic and

environmental responsibilities. It was found that all companies irrespective of size or sector have awareness of CSR and its potential benefits. Many companies were collaborating with NGOs, have labor and environmental policy guidelines in place.

A third survey was jointly conducted in 2002 by CII, United Nations Development Program (UNDP), British Council (BC) and Price Water Coopers (PWC). The most striking features of the responses to the survey is that the respondents are in near unanimity that CSR is very much a part of the domain of corporate action and the passive philanthropy is no longer sufficient. A significant proportion of respondents, recognize CSR as the mean to enhance long-term stake holder value.

The fourth survey, the Karmyog CSR rating 2007-08 is for the largest 500 companies. Karmayog is a platform for the Indian non-profit sector providing research on CSR activities of Indian companies. It rated the 500 largest Indian Companies based on their CSR activities. The companies were rated on 0 to 5 levels based on criteria’s like products & services, reach of CSR activities, expenditure on CSR, harmful processes etc.