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Introduction of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) of Amazon
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a company's commitment to operate in an ethical and sustainable manner. This includes being transparent about environmental and social impacts, engaging stakeholders, and continuously improving practices. Amazon has been widely criticized for its lack of transparency and sustainability efforts, but the company has made significant progress in recent years. Amazon has adopted a comprehensive CSR strategy that addresses three key focus areas: environment, community, and workforce. Under this strategy, Amazon has set ambitious goals to be met by 2025. These include becoming carbon neutral, running on 100% renewable energy, investing in reforestation projects, and developing innovative programs to support employees and communities. While there is still room for improvement, Amazon's CSR strategy is a step in the right direction.
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The company has been very proactive in environmental programs and projects. In 2019, Amazon announced that it would be investing $700 million to transition to using 100% renewable energy. The company has also put a moratorium on deforestation and is working with Indigenous communities to protect the Amazon rainforest. In terms of workforce development, Amazon has created programs to upskill employees and provide job opportunities in underserved communities. For example, the Amazon Technical Academy provides free training to allow employees to transition into tech roles, and the Pathways program offers entry-level jobs for those without a college degree.
Amazon's CSR strategy is ambitious and comprehensive, but there is still room for improvement. The company needs to be more transparent about its social and environmental impacts, especially as it relates to its supply chain. Additionally, Amazon must continue to invest in programs that support its employees and communities.
Evaluate ethical theories in a business context
Evaluating ethical theories in a business context can be a complex task. There are a variety of different ethical theories, and each one can be applied to businesses in different ways. For example, some ethical theories focus on the rights of individuals, while others focus on the good of society as a whole. As such, it is important to carefully consider which ethical theory or theories are most relevant to the business in question (Latapí et al. 2019). When evaluating ethical theories in a business context, it is also important to keep in mind the specific goals of the business. For example, a business might have a goal of maximizing profit, or it might have a goal of promoting social responsibility. Different ethical theories will emphasize different aspects of these goals, and so it is important to select the theories that best fit with the overall objectives of the business.
When it comes to Amazon, there are a few different ethical theories that can be applied in order to evaluate the company's CSR. The first theory is utilitarianism, which takes into account the positive and negative consequences of an action in order to determine whether or not it is morally right. In Amazon's case, we can look at the company's impact on society as a whole. Amazon has been criticized for putting small businesses out of business, not paying its employees enough, and contributing to environmental destruction (Kong et al. 2020). However, Amazon has also been praised for providing customers with low prices, fast shipping, and a convenient online shopping experience. Overall, it seems that the company's actions have had more positive than negative consequences for society, making utilitarianism a strong argument in favor of Amazon's CSR.
Another ethical theory that can be applied to Amazon is deontology, which focuses on the morality of an action itself rather than its consequences. One key principle of deontology is respect for autonomy, which means that individuals should be allowed to make their own choices without being coerced or manipulated (Tamvada, 2020). This principle can be applied to Amazon in two ways. First, respect for autonomy demands that Amazon give its employees the freedom to make their own decisions about how they do their work. For example, employees should not be required to work excessive overtime or put themselves in dangerous situations. Second, respect for autonomy also requires Amazon to allow its customers to make informed decisions about what they purchase (Islam et al. 2021). This means that the company should be transparent about its business practices, such as its environmental impact, and provide customers with all the information they need to make an informed decision. In conclusion, both utilitarianism and deontology provide strong arguments in favour of Amazon's CSR (Abbas, 2020). The company has generally had positive consequences for society as a whole, and it respects the autonomy of both its employees and customers.
Discuss Amazon's approaches to corporate social responsibility (CSR)
Amazon has made headlines in recent years for its growing focus on corporate social responsibility (CSR). The company has implemented a number of initiatives aimed at improving its environmental and social impact, including a commitment to powering its global operations with 100% renewable energy by 2030 (Alabdullah et al. 2019). In addition to its work on renewable energy, Amazon has also launched programs to reduce waste, support small businesses, and promote diversity and inclusion. The company has been praised for its work in these areas, but Amazon's critics say that more needs to be done to address the company's significant environmental and social footprints (Singh and Misra, 2021). Looking ahead, it will be interesting to see how Amazon continues to develop its CSR program and what additional steps the company takes to improve its impact on the world. Amazon has a long-standing commitment to operating in a socially and environmentally responsible way. We strive to be pioneers in sustainable development, and our ultimate goal is to serve our customers and communities while minimizing the environmental impact.
They have many initiatives underway that focus on reducing their environmental footprint, including:
- Optimizing buildings and data centres for energy efficiency
- Incorporating sustainability into product design
- Developing packaging solutions that reduce waste
- Expanding renewable energy use
They have also launched the Amazon Sustainability Data Initiative to help accelerate scientific research and advance the state of knowledge around sustainability challenges. This initiative provides access to Amazon’s data sets related to climate change, carbon management, forestry, and water resources. We hope this will enable researchers and scientists to develop new insights and solutions that can help protect the environment. Amazon also has programs in place to support small businesses and promote diversity and inclusion (Awaysheh et al. 2020). For example, the Amazon Small Business Accelerator provides tools and resources to help small businesses grow and succeed. The Amazon Web Services (AWS) Educate program gives students and educators free access to AWS technology, training, and career opportunities. And Amazon’s Diversity & Inclusion initiatives aim to create an inclusive culture where employees can be their authentic selves and feel like they belong.
Overall, Amazon has made significant progress in its efforts to operate in a more sustainable and responsible way. However, there is always more that can be done to reduce their environmental and social footprints (Dhar et al. 2022). For example, Amazon could further reduce their energy consumption by transitioning to electric vehicles or using more recycled materials in their packaging. They could also do more to support local communities, such as by investing in workforce development programs or partnering with small businesses.
Critically assess opportunities, challenges and implications of compliance in the organisational context
Organisations such as Amazon have a responsibility to ensure that they are adhering to all relevant laws and regulations. Compliance with these legal requirements is essential in order to protect the organisation from potential financial and reputational damages. However, compliance can also be a significant challenge for organisations, particularly when operating in multiple jurisdictions. Organisations must be aware of the changing landscape of compliance requirements and ensure that they have the resources and systems in place to meet these obligations. Non-compliance can result in significant penalties, including financial sanctions, reputational damage and even criminal charges (Kalsum, 2021). In extreme cases, non-compliance can lead to the collapse of an organisation. It is therefore essential that organisations take compliance seriously and consider the implications of non-compliance before making any decisions. The risks associated with non-compliance should be carefully weighed against the costs and benefits of taking action. Organisations should also be aware of the opportunities that compliance can offer, such as improved risk management and enhanced reputation. By taking a proactive approach to compliance, organisations can make sure that they are in the best possible position to protect their interests.
Critically assess an organisation’s strategy to gain ongoing stakeholder commitment to CSR
Amazon has long been criticized for its impact on the environment and its treatment of workers. But the company has also been praised for its strong commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR). Critics say that Amazon's CSR strategy is insincere and that the company only uses CSR as a way to improve its public image. They point to Amazon's history of putting profits ahead of people and the environment (Beji et al. 2021). Supporters of Amazon's CSR strategy say that the company is genuinely committed to making a positive impact on the world. They point to Amazon's investments in renewable energy, its efforts to reduce waste, and its commitment to diversity and inclusion. When it comes to CSR, Amazon is no stranger to controversy. The company has been criticised in the past for its environmental impact, labour practices, and tax avoidance. However, Amazon has also been praised for its innovative approach to CSR, which includes a commitment to sustainability, community development, and customer satisfaction.
When it comes to stakeholder engagement, Amazon has taken a proactive approach. The company has developed a comprehensive strategy that includes communication, transparency, and accountability. For example, Amazon publishes an annual CSR report that details the company’s progress on various sustainability initiatives. In addition, Amazon hosts regular town halls and webinars on CSR topics such as climate change and human rights.
Amazon’s focus on stakeholder engagement has paid off. The company now enjoys high levels of trust from its investors, employees, and customers. This trust is evident in Amazon’s share price performance: since going public in 1997, the stock has outperformed the Nasdaq Composite Index by more than 3 times. Despite its successes, Amazon faces challenges when it comes to maintaining stakeholder trust. For example, the company was recently criticized for its handling of the COVID-19 pandemic (Wang et al. 2020). Some employees felt that Amazon did not do enough to protect them from the virus, while others felt that the company was too quick to fire workers who spoke out about safety concerns. As a result of these issues, some shareholders have called for greater transparency from Amazon on its CSR efforts. Looking forward, Amazon will need to continue to evolve its CSR strategy in order to maintain stakeholder trust. In particular, the company will need to focus on communication, transparency, and accountability.
Conclusion
As one of the world's largest online retailers, Amazon has a huge impact on both the economy and society. While the company has been criticized in the past for its business practices, it has also been praised for its commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR). Amazon has made significant progress in recent years in terms of its CSR initiatives, and it is now considered to be a leader in this area. With its size and reach, Amazon has the potential to make even more of a positive impact on the world in the future. As the largest online retailer, Amazon.com has a profound impact on both the economy and society. While the company has been criticized in the past for its business practices, it has also been praised for its commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR). Amazon has made significant progress in recent years in terms of its CSR initiatives, including reducing its environmental impact, investing in renewable energy, and supporting small businesses. The company has also donated millions of dollars to charitable causes. With its size and reach, Amazon has the potential to make even more of a positive impact on the world in the future.
As the largest online retailer, Amazon.com has a profound impact on both the economy and society. While the company has been criticized in the past for its business practices, it has also been praised for its commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR). Amazon has made significant progress in recent years in terms of its CSR initiatives, including reducing its environmental impact, investing in renewable energy, and supporting small businesses. The company has also donated millions of dollars to charitable causes. With its size and reach, Amazon has the potential to make even more of a positive impact on the world in the future. As one of the world's largest companies, Amazon has a unique opportunity to use its resources and influence to make a positive difference in the world.
References
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