Best corporate citizens 2009

The acclaimed and trusted Corporate citizenship survey 2009 conducted by CRO is out. IBM tops the list of computer hardware companies at no. 3 in the list of top 100 best corporate citizens. Symantec tops the list for computer software development companies at no.23. The full list and the survey methodology could be accessed from: http://www.thecro.com/100best09

Once again, feedback is divided on this compilation with many people taking exception to CRO covering only big companies and leaving out efforts of smaller companies. Any thoughts on how small companies could get their voices heard?

Please visit and give your views.

CSR makes business sense even during economic recession

Does CSR make business sense in this time of Economic Recession. Yes is the reaffirming answer from corporates across India. Many companies continue without any apparent cutbacks on CSR events and activities. In fact sustainability the core of Community development has become the mantra of companies doing business in these tough times.

Express computer on 22nd June had this article which analyze the CSR scenario against the backdrop of relentless downturn. It is heartening to note that India INC is tightening their purse strings rather than their heart strings.

You can read the full article here: http://www.expresscomputeronline.com/20090622/technologylife01.shtml

IT Companies gear up on CSR front

Corporate Social Responsibility is slowly but surely getting its due importance in technology companies scheme of things. A recent article in dataquest, India Chicken Soup for IT, vividly describes several efforts by Indian and MNC IT companies.

The CSR article talks about IT companies partnership with NGOs and their work in the education sector. It is heart warming to note many Indian companies taking the lead and setting the trend in improving quality access to education. MNCs like CISCO, Microsoft and IBM in their own way also have been going it alone to work on various education projects.

While many of these CSR projects are in collaboration with NGOs, IBM is perhaps the only IT MNC that has partnered with Govt. Depts and working on a very large scale "Reinventing Education Project" Check out the Dataquest article for more details.

Clean Energy

While the Tata Nano is making waves in India and across the Global Auto world for its smart design and affordability. However, the larger issue of energy conservation, environment pollution and smarter use of clean energy still remain.

In this context it is worthwhile to note the "Clean Energy for a Smarter Planet" initiative launched by IBM worldwide. IBM and Harvard University, Dept of Chemistry and chemical biology have joined hands on the Clean Energy Project. What really makes this initiative smart is the effective contribution of the World Community Grid members across the world!

World Community Grid simply uses the downtime of computers across the globe to add power to Research projects like the Harvard University clean energy project and other life saving research.

Check out this YouTube Link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwSgy1WANn8 for an overview of this smart collaboration of IBM and some of worlds best researchers around the world to fight global warming and create cleaner and greener environment for all

Business Govt. Partnership to solve Urban Problems

When we think of CSR, usually we think about rural poor and how CSR policies and programs have transformed rural communities. However, today's increasingly urbanized world, CSR initiatives could be an effective way to tackle the burgeoning urban chaos and pollution. Traffic congestion is one problem that every metro in every part of the world is struggling



It is common knowledge that congested roadways cost billions of dollars annually in form of sheer number of hours lost in waiting for the traffic to clear, and several billions of gallons of wasted fuel and not to mention the increased emissions from the idling vehicles!



Just like the successful partnerships that corporates have forged with NGOs and Govt. sector in rural areas, businesses should join hands with Govt. and NGOs that work on alleviating urban problems. I am yet to come across a CSR initiative that has addressed the urban problem of traffic congestion and the related pollution.



Readers who know of good CSR initiatives targeting urban problems, please share your views.

National Seminar on CSR

Dept. of Social Work, Dr G R Damodaran College of Science, Coimbatore, India is organizing a 2 day National Seminar on Corporate Social Responsibility on 27 and 28th February 2009. Industry and NGO professionals, Social workers are expected to deliberate on CSR evolution and its current status in the Global Economy.

I am glad to note that Professional Socialwork students are taking interest in CSR and hosting this seminar. Corporates need the skills of community development and social work professionals to strategize and implement sustainable development programs. Seminars like this will go a long way in equipping the Social Work students with necessary real world skills. Businesses and Private Enterprises also will benefit from this exchange with academia.