4 preconceived notions to deconstruct about CSR

What is the current status of CSR?

Today, since the PACTE law of 2019societal expectations are on the rise, and the CSR approach is becoming increasingly important for companies.

Initially, it seems that large companies are the most concerned by CSR issues, as they are subject to specific regulations and legal obligations, but VSEs and SMEs are also involved on a voluntary basis, with no regulatory obligations.

Moreover, implementing a CSR approach requires commitment and awareness-raising on the part of everyone in the company, especially management, whose responsibility it is to set an example for employees.

We’re going to discuss 4 preconceived ideas that you might have to face up to in order to convince managers and employees to get involved in a CSR strategy.

What are the common misconceptions about CSR?

Myth no. 1: CSR is the responsibility of others

It is often thought that CSR or sustainable development only concerns the Other. For companies, for example, CSR is the responsibility of the state and individuals, and for the latter, it is the responsibility of the state, which is the guarantor of the proper application of laws and regulations, and the companies that pollute the most.

In reality, each actor who is part of the same ecosystem and the same planet, whether he is an individual, a company, whatever its size, or a State, is indeed responsible and must contribute to the preservation of the environment at his level. All employees are players in achieving the objectives. Collective action can therefore only reinforce efforts and encourage individual action.

Myth 2: CSR is just about communication

Many think that CSR is applied to embellish the image of the company. Contrary to what we think, a solid responsible approach is based on commitments, concrete actions and measurable facts on the part of companies, their members and their stakeholders. To be effective CSR must be seen as a strategy in its own right from which an action plan is derived. Otherwise, it risks having the opposite effect: greenwashing.

CSR rating systems require evidence and quantified results on the implementation of CSR actions.

Indeed, it helps to improve the employer brand and attract and retain talent. According to a study conducted by Mercer in 2022, 96% of employees want to work for companies with a CSR policy.

Myth no. 3: CSR is incompatible with business performance

Contrary to thereceived wisdom that CSR cannot improve economic growth and performance in general because of the additional costs of its implementation without concrete benefits, a study conducted in 2016 by France Stratégie, the general commission for strategy and foresight attached to the Prime Minister’s office, showed that the economic performance of companies applying a CSR policy, is on average 13% higher than others.

It’s undeniable that the implementation of social measures that encourage skills development and a good social climate only serves to strengthen employee commitment, and thus increase productivity.

Myth #4: CSR is not compatible with innovation and digital technology

Sustainable development advocates often question thecontribution of digital technology and innovation to finding solutions to CSR issues, since by default, increasingly scarce resources (e.g. energy via electricity, raw materials such as lithium, etc.) are needed to develop them. But that’s not always the case: if digital technology and innovation are applied in an eco-responsible way, they can identify new business opportunities, and thus ensure the sustainability and resilience of companies.

Moreover, digital and innovation contribute to the simplification of processes and theimprovement of social cohesion within the company. They also help to reduce travel and therefore the carbon footprint of companies and employees through solutions for managing and monitoring sustainable development indicators.

Conclusion

Vous l’aurez compris, la question de la RSE peut faire réagir et subit, malgré elle, de nombreuses idées reçues. But it is an important issue for companies and their employees, because it allows them to reconcile their performance AND their impact on society and the environment. It is therefore not a simple communication approach, but it implies a concrete commitment from all actors, including companies, to integrate social and environmental issues into their strategies and practices.

At SQORUS, our teams and experts support our customers in implementing anacculturation strategy andCSR actions, and propose innovative change management approaches to facilitate employee commitment and management involvement.

Discover our change management offerIf you would like to find out more, please contact us directly to discover our services and methods.