The FINANCIAL — Corporate Social Responsibility has become an integral part of modern business. Nearly all big companies worldwide claim to be socially responsible.
CSR has recently become the top priority of Georgian companies. Many of them are hiring CSR specialists and integrating CSR principles in their company’s long term strategy. But local society is still not aware of what CSR really stands for.
“We believe that wherever we operate Georgia-wide, our activities should generate economic benefits and opportunities and enhance the quality of life of our stakeholders; that our conduct should have a positive influence; that our relationships should be honest and transparent; and that we should be held accountable for all our actions. Our CSR policy focuses on six areas: Marketplace and Customers, Employees, Community and Society, Health, Safety and Environmental Performance, Business Partners, Control and Finance,” Company Wissol noted.
“We have a strong CSR strategy at the company. Information about our company’s financial data is always available and transparent. The Director of our Supervisory Board, Samson Pkhakadze always takes part in implementing CSR projects and is always involved in the activity,” said Rusudan Kbilashvili, PR Manager of Wissol.
British Petroleum, one of the world’s largest energy companies existing in Georgia, pays much attention to CSR.
“We implement different projects in terms of CSR including development of local society, energy and factories. We have CSR Manager Rusudan Medzmariashvili who takes care of CSR projects. BP always publishes data of its sustainable development. We have a special annual budget allocated for CSR projects. General Manager of BP always takes part in the development of CSR projects,” said Tamila Chantladze, Communications Team Leader of BP.
“We are actively involved in the development of CSR at the company. We support a healthy lifestyle among Georgian people and are building a sports club. Members of Beeline will have the opportunity to visit and use the club. We pay much attention to environment protection projects and education development. We completely take in to account the role of CSR. Under the initiative of our General Manager many projects have been implemented in this direction,” said Teona Bagdavadze, PR Manager of Beeline.
Social Responsibility is a part of Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel’s award winning programme Responsible Business. According to company officials CSR is their company philosophy.
“The Responsible Business programme was designed in 2001 and ultimately guides us on how to perform our business in a more responsible way. At the beginning of each year we are required to present our Responsible Business action plan which includes activities directed toward Social and Ethical Responsibility as well as Environmental Responsibility and which benefits both company as well as society,” said Ekaterine Lomidze, HR Manager of Radisson Blu Iveria Hotel.
General Manager of Radisson Blu Iveria is actively involved in Responsible Business activities. According to Lomidze the General Manager always sets an example for company employees and motivates them through his own actions.
CSR remains as one of the priority issues for Bank Republic. “Many interesting social projects are implemented for the benefit of the society where we live and operate,” BR officials note.
“As always, during the last year, we have implemented a number of social programmes ultimately leading to the welfare of the most vulnerable segment of society. Again we try to add value to the environment where we work and operate. Traditionally Bank Republic has been one of the most active financial institutions that has helped to introduce the innovative CSR concept to the business community. During 2010 our priority was to enhance socially responsible business activities and finance projects for the society, public and environment, care for our clients, staff and shareholders,” noted the Bank Republic Annual Report.
TBC Bank implements different CSR projects in the direction of the rehabilitation of architectural buildings, art, culture, mountainous areas and social programmes. The Bank has a CSR Manager – Maiko Dzirkvelishvili. TBC Bank reports its financial data and has an annual budget for CSR activity development.
There are very few people in Georgia who properly understand what CSR means or what the social responsibility of businesses is. CSR is now a trend at the “top level” but not with the majority of society.
“Businesses should be responsible but I had no idea there existed a special Corporate Social Responsibility programme at any company in Georgia,” said student Tamuna Gugberidze, 23. “Society in Georgia should be informed about CSR. The media plays a key part in the education of society so first of all media representatives should be informed about the means of CSR,” said Tamuna Gugberidze.
“I am sure that most of the media representatives in Georgia aren’t well informed about CSR. I myself don’t know what this system was created for,” said Temur Gagnidze, 24. Temur is studying at one of the business schools in Tbilisi. “It would be much better if some trainings or even presentations would be held in Georgia specially for journalists to teach them why businesses should be socially responsible.”
“I had no idea about CSR before,” Mariam Machabeli, another student, told The FINANCIAL. “I am sure that most of my peers have no knowledge of it either. I think businesses are responsible for informing society and the media about this system, in this way everyone can understand its meaning. Students should be taught about CSR as well,” Mariam believes.
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