ESR 103 Ethical Principles and Social Responsibility Week 9

NINETH WEEK
Social Responsibility and Ethics
Responsibility is defined by the Turkish Language Association (TDK) as "assuming one's own
behavior or the consequences of any event falling within its jurisdiction, responsibility, liability”
has been defined. According to another definition, responsibility is a set of rules that a person who
is responsible for doing the job has to follow to fulfill a determined task. Responsibility is to know
others, to respect their values; briefly acknowledge their existence.

The person in charge fulfills his/her duties and functions in a timely and desired manner. There are
activities that responsible people are required absolutely to do or not to do.
The sense of responsibility takes place in the environment in which a person grows up at a young
age or reinforced with subsequent training. Responsible people take action on its own to do their
work on time. A person's ability to assume responsibility depend on, that person's mind, free will
and authority. (Torlak vd., 2012, s.8)

Responsibilities can be classified as formal and informal in terms of binding. To protect our health,
to fulfill the requirements of our role in the family, to help our friends, to observe social norms,
not to pollute the environment are examples of informal responsibilities largely. In other side, to
undertake the responsibilities of the duties assigned to us in our work, to comply with the law, to
act, to fulfill civic responsibilities such as taxes and defense are called formal responsibilities.

Responsibility is closely related to the understanding of ethics; it concerns everyone and applies
to any role. In terms of such responsibilities, which can also be expressed as ethical responsibilities,
every person, young or old, have some responsibilities as an individual due to their roles in the
whole group, community, society and organization. In this respect, ethically such formal and
informal responsibilities have a dimension to one's conscience.

In order for people to come to a true ethical value judgment, that is, to find "the good and the right"
they must become conscious of the ethical value of their intentions and actions. This is possible by
using the ability to judge himself. Being conscious of ethical value of one's own intentions and
actions also means strengthening the sense of responsibility. This feeling is valid and effective in
the adaptation to the social order, environment and occupational conditions in which the person
lives.

After briefly explaining the concept of responsibility, it is useful to examine the individual and
social aspects of the issue. The subject of responsibility, is named in different ways under the
names of individual, corporate and social responsibility considering the scope of it.

To have individual responsibility, to be aware of our own responsibilities and to fulfill them. First
of all, the responsibility of a person towards himself as an individual, requires the use of material
and moral values correctly, appropriately and on time. In other part, individual responsibility;
ESR 103 Ethical Principles and Social Responsibility Week 9

acting of individuals in accordance with the value judgments and norms of the society, voluntarily
without any self-interest. (Eraslan, 2011, s.83)

From our childhood, our individual responsibilities begin to form. Every person has individual
responsibilities in the family, at school, in the group of friends, at work, etc. Gathering our room,
doing our homework on time, and in our expanding circle as we grow and in our living conditions
we will have individual responsibilities in every field in which we take an active role according to
our preferences. We can be class president at school, football player in the football team, older
sister and brother in the family, brothers, a friend in a friend group and an actor in a theater group.
Responsibility is fulfilling the requirements of the role assumed by the members of the group.
Within these groups fulfilling our duties is our individual responsibility.
First of all, individual responsibilities require the protection of material and spiritual values of the
person, in other words, physical and mental health. Restrictions arise in the ability of using their
minds, free will and powers when individuals cannot achieve the responsibility to protect physical
and mental health. Therefore, individuals unable to fulfill most of their responsibilities; relating to
role, status, position and occupation. People who cannot protect their physical and mental health
may also lose their ability to fulfill their conscientious, ethical and legal responsibilities.
When we do not fulfill our individual responsibilities, there are disruptions in our lives and
divisions from the group and society. For example, not memorizing and rehearsing the role of a
student in a drama club, is an example of failure of fulfilling one's individual responsibility within
the group.
It is difficult to define the concept of social responsibility; because it shows differences according
to people, cultures, institutions and organizations. Regarding this concept many examples can be
given, such as responsibility of individuals, responsibility of employees, responsibility of
managers.
Social means relating to society. Social responsibility is to take countermeasures of the assets to
the harmful effects they cause in their external environment due to their activities in collective life.
(Çakır, 2006, s.2) The main purpose of the social responsibility is to benefit society. This realizable
on a voluntary and philanthropic basis.
Social responsibility is gathering public, private sector and civil society around a purpose and their
orientation towards a common life. ([Link] Social responsibility from
the point of another view is to take actions that will develop and protect the general interests of the
society as well as individuals and institutions own interests. (Özdemir, 2009, s.58) Having social
responsibility is beyond the individual's own responsibilities, also shows sensitivity to issues
affecting society. Social responsibility also aims to give back to the society their knowledge, skills,
experience and resources on social issues.
Social responsibility is also known to remain loyal to ethical values, to use the resources of the
society for development while performing the aims of private and public institutions and
organizations. Education, health and environmental issues are the priority issues of responsibility.
([Link]
ESR 103 Ethical Principles and Social Responsibility Week 9

Social responsibility projects can be on many issues. For example, to leave a better life to future
generations keep the environment clean, use natural resources correctly, ensure that education and
health conditions reach all segments of the society together to participate in joint works with
relevant institutions and organizations, help the elderly, disabled or people in need of protection,
using the knowledge and experience for the benefit of the society as social responsibility projects
Social responsibility is divided into three classes by researchers. These are social obligation, social
response, and social enthusiasm. (Çelik, 2004)
Social obligation is the legal regulations that institutions and organizations (organizations) must
comply with. For example; employing disabled personnel to a certain extent is a social obligation
stipulated by law to private sector and public institutions and organizations.
Social response is the voluntary or involuntary response of organizations to various demands from
society. For example; organizations that fulfill their legal obligations act environmentally sensitive
and use it as an advertising tool since it is not well received by the society to pollute the
environment in any way.
Social enthusiasm is voluntarily fulfilled the elements of organizations within the scope of social
responsibility. For example, building a school, repairing and doing the maintenance of buildings
belonging to education and training institutions, donating technological devices (tablets, smart
boards, etc.) to students by private institutions and organizations are examples of social
responsiveness although there is no necessity.
Social responsibility emerges as a concept directly related to ethics. From the earliest periods of
history to the present, some behaviors are good, some behaviors are bad, bad behavior is seen as
unethical. When same situation is handled in the context of professions, the concept of professional
ethics emerges. Social responsibility area is directly related with the concept of ethics in terms of
its social content and its professional nature.
Historical Development of Social Responsibility Concept
Aristotle, one of the first to talk about social responsibility, handled the issue ethically; he argued
that your prices should be fair and interest is unjust. Religion occupies an important place among
the issues that affect social responsibility. According to Judaism, Christianity and Islam, ethical
behaviors related to social responsibility (helping the poor, solidarity, protecting orphans, etc.)
were encouraged. (Çakır, 2006, s.5-6)
Since the second half of the 19th century, with the start of industrialization, the most important
objective has been to generate a high level of profit. (İşseveroğlu, 2001, s.57) In this the period;
the factory system has produced positive results such as rapid and high-volume production,
however, employers did not care about the social needs of their employees. (Vural&Coşkun, 2011,
s.65)
Unemployed people due to the wars that took place in the first half of the twentieth century and
affected the world, united to form unions and gained power. After the Second World War, the
number of skilled labors increased with the increasing importance given to education. In this
ESR 103 Ethical Principles and Social Responsibility Week 9

context, employees began to see use the institutions they work as a tool to achieve their own goals.
(Çakır, 2006, s.12)
Legal regulations regarding the social responsibilities of organizations came into effect in the
1950s. In this context; for example, accurate information on packaging, advertisements to be
beneficial, environmental health, occupational safety and waste reduction issues connected to
merits.
Towards the end of the twentieth century, the role of non-governmental organizations in society
became more increased. In this context, important steps have been taken on issues such as racial
discrimination and women's rights. As the main corporate social responsibility practices; providing
information to partners, fairness in employing, profit sharing, ethical advertising, recycling,
financial support for the poor, aid to community health service, and better working conditions can
be given as examples. (Aktan, 2007, s.25)
Globalization, the development of information and communication technologies, along with the
disappearance of market boundaries has increased competition and caused corporate goals to gain
different dimensions. Changes experienced both in terms of technology and borders showed that
it is necessary to have social purposes in addition to economic purposes in institutions. Competitive
advantage and differentiation are essential for survival in today's world, for institutions to have
social responsibility awareness is an important measure of differentiation. (Güzelcik, 1999, s.220)
Corporate social responsibility is; protecting the environment in which an organization operates,
and their obligations to develop, as well as to use their resources for the benefit of society. In other
words; measuring environmental, economic and social effects of corporate actions against all
interested parties, eliminating the negative effects and to work to increase the welfare of the
society. (Öztürk vd., 2013, s.5) Corporate social responsibility is based on volunteerism. (Çakır,
2006, s.13)
Corporate social responsibility in its broadest definition; organizations’ proper working strategy
and policy to economic and legal conditions, business ethics, expectations of people and
organizations in and around the institution.
Social responsibilities of institutions are divided into two parts as internal and external.
Responsibilities within the organization are all employees in the organization, human resources
management, internal elements such as the management of natural resources used in production;
external responsibilities include society, external organizations and issues such as global
environmental issues.
Social responsibilities are considered as additional costs by managers in the internal and external
environment. However, the long-term benefits of short-term costs are more important for
organizations. On the other hand, organizations who do not fulfill their social responsibilities
should not be forgotten that they will face the reaction of the society.
Globalization has increased the interdependence of people around the world. Companies also have
important responsibilities on what needs to be done to increase the level of welfare of countries as
well as states. According to the new understanding, all private and official institutions and
ESR 103 Ethical Principles and Social Responsibility Week 9

organizations are responsible to their internal and external environment (shareholders, customers,
employees, etc.) as well as to all segments of society.
The most important social responsibility of private and public institutions and organizations is to
provide social benefit. (İşseveroğlu, 2001, s.64) For example; protecting the natural environment,
considering the user preferences providing quality and safe products, respect to basic rights and
freedoms of employees, protect the rights of partners, manage investments in a way that makes
them profitable, providing accurate information on activities and supporting education, health and
art activities, etc. that will contribute to the welfare of the society, issues are being evaluated within
the scope of corporate social responsibility. (Öztürk vd., 2013, s.6)
All institutions and organizations are in constant communication with their environment and have
responsibilities to their environment. For example, the purpose of commercial organizations is to
produce products and services to make a profit. However, by the expansion of commercial borders
and the consumption attitudes of customers is no longer sufficient for organizations to produce
only products and services. The attitude of customers to purchase the current product in the 1960s
left its place to the search for quality products in the late 1970s. In the 1980s, environmentally
friendly products were demanded, at the end of the 1990s, the social responsibilities of
manufacturers began to be questioned by customers. (Çakır, 2006, s.2)
There are many reasons for the emergence of the concept of corporate social responsibility. These
can be briefly listed as follows: (Vural&Coşkun, 2011, p.66)
• The intervention of the state in economic life has increased, and as a result of these
interventions, there are some limitations for employers.
• Membership of the individual to various organizations has increased the organizational
power.
• The increase in population and population density has tightened the relations between
people and unemployment has become a major problem.
• The gradual strengthening of democratization and humanism tendencies makes the
individual more strengthened. With the Declaration of Human Rights, the political and
social power of the individual has increased.
• Increasing international economic and political competition as a result of rapid
globalization, has caused a number of changes in the management of nations and
institutions.
More and more pressure is being made day by day by the society for the organizations to carry out
their social responsibility activities. The chances of success of institutions and organizations that
do not carry out studies in this direction and do not aim to serve the society are decreasing day by
day.
Result
Ethical and social responsibility concepts are frequently discussed and appear as areas of study.
Ethical principles are on the agenda now for every profession and has important sanctions for some
ESR 103 Ethical Principles and Social Responsibility Week 9

professions. Ethical principles advocated and followed by especially civil society organizations
are among the topics that the organizations must obey.
Ethics, which is defined as the sense of distinguishing what is good or bad for society, is part of
social life. Ethical norms in all activities in terms of organizations and the necessity of ethical
behavior is an important responsibility. Ethical responsibilities are not included in the law that
receive the right and fair behavior that society expects from organizations.
The elements of ethical responsibility can be listed as follows: (İlic, 2010, s.309) It is important to
behave in accordance with social values and ethical norms. A good corporate citizen conforms to
values and ethical norms. Being an honest institution and ethical behavior, also brings compliance
with legal regulations. Recognizing new and evolving norms in society and to respect them is
important.
Today's societies question how well institutions fulfill their social responsibilities. There are ethical
and social responsibilities which are legal and not defined in the law affect the activities of private
and public institutions and organizations and groups affected by their activities (employees,
investors, the national and international community, suppliers, competitors, government, etc.
against its social stakeholders). (Vural&Coşkun, 2011, s.82)
For the satisfaction of the customer and society in terms of institutions, making environmental and
social campaigns is now a necessity. Customers and society expect organizations to fulfill
simultaneously their social responsibilities under the headings of economic, legal, ethical and
philanthropic.
References
1. Aktan, Coşkun C. (2007), Kurumsal Sosyal Sorumluluk, İşletmeler ve Sosyal Sorumluluk,
İstanbul, İktisadî Girişim ve İş Ahlâkı Derneği (İGİAD) Yayınları, No:4
2. Çakır, Birgül (2006), SA 8000 Sosyal Sorumluluk Standardının Örgütsel Bağlılık ve İş
Doyumuna Olan Etkileri, Dokuz Eylül Üni. [Link]. Toplam Kalite Yönetimi Anabilim Dalı
Yüksek Lisans Tezi
3. Çelik, Uğur (2004), Sosyal Sorumluluk Kavramının Uluslar Arası Çalışma Örgütü ve Avrupa
Birliği Normları Açısından İncelenmesi ve Türkiye İçin Bir Değerlendirme, Yüksek Lisans Tezi,
Dokuz Eylül Üni. Sosyal Bilimler Ens.İnsan Kaynakları Ana Bilim Dalı, İzmir
4. Eraslan, Levent (2011), Bireysel Sosyal Sorumluluk Ölçeğinin Geliştirilmesi: Geçerlik ve
Güvenirlik Çalışması, Aile ve Toplum Dergisi, Yıl: 12 Cilt: 7 Sayı: 24, Sf.81-92
5. Güzelcik, Ebru (1999), Küreselleşme ve İşletmelerde Değişen Kurum İmajı, İstanbul, Sistem
Yayıncılık.
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ESR 103 Ethical Principles and Social Responsibility Week 9

8. İlic, Derya K. (2010), İşletmelerin Kurumsal Sosyal Sorumluluk Düzeylerinin Belirlenmesine

Yönelik Bir Literatür Taraması, Ege Akademik Bakış Dergisi No:10 (1), Sf. 303-318
9. İşseveroğlu, Gülsün (2001), İşletmelerde Sosyal Sorumluluk ve Etik, Celal Bayar Üniversitesi
İ.İ.B.F. Yönetim ve Ekonomi Dergisi, Cilt:8, Sayı:2, sf. 55-67
10. Özdemir, Hilal (2009), Kurumsal Sosyal Sorumluluğun Marka İmajına Etkisi, İstanbul Ticaret
Üniversitesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi Yıl:8 Sayı:15 s.57-72
11. Öztürk, M. Canan vd. (2013), Kurumsal Sosyal Sorumluluk, Anadolu Üniversitesi Yayını
No:3021, Açıköğretim Fakültesi Yayını No: 1973
12. Torlak, Ömer vd. (2012), İşletmelerde Sosyal Sorumluluk ve Etik, Eskişehir, Anadolu
Üniversitesi Yayınları
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