Interview by The Graduate
1. What is your personal definition and concept of CSR and how does it apply to the individuals within your generation?
Broadly speaking, CSR is the practice of ethics in the company’s activities. It is important that a company behaves ethically because a company’s actions, just like those of any individual, have repercussions in society. Since people spend so much time working and quite nearly all the products we purchase come from nature directly or indirectly, there is definitely reason to keep a tight eye over the ways in which companies interact with the societies and environments in which they are situated.
2. What do you see are the perceptions with CSR and social compact in today’s society? Is enough being done?
Society is an amalgamation of different groups of people. CSR is probably perceived differently by these different groups, if at all. Since my primary habitat is the university, it is difficult for me to completely discern the perceptions of groups that are not situated there. Even understanding perceptions of university students is not easy since perception is determined not simply by the present state of events but also by the personal histories of the individuals. In my limited interactions with people, however, I think I have perceived at least four broad sets of perceptions. Those from the corporate world who attend seminars and conferences seem to find CSR a much wanted idea and possibly also a profitable endeavour. Students are divided into two groups: those who think CSR is simply a public relations tool and there is not much real good done therefore and those who believe that even though CSR is partly a public relations tool, it is nevertheless a way via which society can be made better. Then, there are those, among them a number of academics, who believe that while CSR is an ideal worth pursuing, not all companies can practice it to profit. Extant evidence, said Professor Joseph Galaskiewicz in a recent talk in the NUS Business School, does not suggest that CSR is always good for business. I have left out, of course, the perceptions of CSR of groups like food sellers in food centres and construction workers, and these people too are affected by corporate activity.
Similarly, the idea of the Social Compact means different things to different people. Does society even exist, or are we a loosely bonded hodgepodge of communities, each with its own compact? There is recognition among university students that some form of a social construct exists, that certain social norms dominate, but whether or not we understand how we contribute to the present state of society, that is, our compact with it, is a different matter altogether. The widespread sentiment seems to be that Singaporeans are apathetic and apathy is therefore deeply ingrained in society. I do not think so. Granted, there are a great many who are "apathetic" (I prefer to break this up into resignation and exhaustion but the arguments behind this and how they can be mitigated must be left for another time) but as I have found out first-hand, there are also those who want to and actively work for change for the better in society. These more energetic persons believe that culture is forever in flux and that therefore change is always a distinct possibility, and that their role is to facilitate that change.
There really is no proper way to measure whether or not enough is being done. It would certainly be wonderful if more is done- reach out to the secondary level students, bring the message to SME’s, consolidate a database of information on everything about CSR in the local context- but how fast the movement runs along depends on a number of factors, including like time and capital invested. It would really help, for instance, at the university level, if students allocated themselves more time for things other than academia. It would also help if instead of treating society as though it were a homogeneous whole, we break it up into smaller, manageable social groups and try to understand the perceptions of these groups and then cast strategies to spread the idea of CSR or social compact in that light.
3. How do we overcome obstacles to these mis-perceptions with regards to CSR and Social Compact?
I hesitate to call any perception at this time as a mis-perception since many perceptions have valid arguments. The problem comes when people try to find a perception or definition they can agree on. The question is, do we really need to agree on just one? For practical purposes, like in the planning of an event, or the setting up of a club, it might be important, for the perception of things and the definition of those things play a great role in the directions of such events or clubs. However, because society is so large, and has so many actors on the scene, it is not quite possible to get everyone to agree on a single perception or definition. Moreover, it is probable that each social group has good uses for its own definition or perception. If we want a unified view, however, then further dialogue in the public domain is required in order to engage as many stakeholders as possible, a process that will take some time.
4. What do you envision is the future for CSR and Social Compact?
I think in the long run, say a hundred years or more, civilisation is moving in a general direction, and that is towards greater social well-being. Broadly speaking, the material wealth of nations has increased through the ages but happiness levels have not followed suit. I think there is now a movement in gestation that seeks to bring about happiness for the individual rather than simply satisfy his or her material wants. CSR and Social Compact have big roles to play in this future. Corporations and people are, after all, big players in society. Corporations have to figure out how to stay profitable without alienating their employees or affecting their suppliers and the natural environment adversely. At this time, not all companies can do that. People have to understand that they are active contributors to the state of society whether or not they choose to be. By virtue of the very fact that they live in society, their daily actions, as mundane as eating, drinking, dressing up and showering, have an accumulative impact on the environment. People cannot escape affecting the world. The way they relate to each other at home, in school, in the workplace and in public spaces determine the culture of society. Will people smile at each other or look dourly away in our future together? This is where the Social Compact comes in. In order for a, for want of a better word, happy world to come into being faster, people have to recognise these inescapable facts and align their behaviour accordingly, and in a way they are comfortable with. These will take a long time. CSR and Social Compact will remain useful for that time.
