The impact the pandemic has had on organizations has caused, at the same time, a shift on the way corporate social responsibility is managed. This unexpected event has changed the way in which companies associate with different interest groups. "Right now, society needs for all actors to compromise with the same plan and most importantly, to align themselves with a more resilient, equal and inclusive future", as indicated by Bruno Basile, executive director of Sumarse, UN's Global Pact Local Network in Panamá, who spoke with us about the new challenges regarding CSR.
Within the context of the COVID pandemic. What are the great challenges present for organizations in environmental and social matters?
Definitely, the COVID crisis has posed a challenge for everyone. The private sector has had to transform -in many cases- their operational models and even the types of products and services they offer, in order to adapt to the new reality of this pandemic. So in this sense, the environmental and social challenges that arise are forcing companies, on one hand, to maintain a more active relationship with their stakeholders in which there is a closer understanding of the realities that the employees, clients, suppliers, etc., are living, in order to attend to some extent the social demands the pandemic carries. And, on the other hand, to strike a balance with the environmental aspect which may have been one of the subjects we've been putting off in the midst of the sanitary crisis which, despite this, is a matter of utmost importance because it is directly tied to the Sustainable Development Goal N°3 for Health and Well-being.
In sum, companies and all other civil society actors must act in accordance to the new social and environmental reality we are living in and for that, it's important to keep in mind the necessities and demands of stakeholders.
In regards to CSR, what changes will occur due to the current situation, in which digital work is more and more prominent?
Regarding the changes the pandemic will cause in CSR, firstly, I'd say it's a redistribution of economic resources but also a refocusing of the companies' priorities in their social responsibility programs.
Obviously the social aspect will become more relevant, whether it comes from attending one's own employees or their families but also due to the situation the pandemic is causing, in matters of inequality and poverty. So we will have a private sector much more compelled toward social issues.
How important has risk management been for companies in the current situation in your opinion?
Definitely, companies that were prepared with a management plan before the pandemic, though still surprised because the reality is that a pandemic was in hardly anyone's plan, have been able to better navigate the crisis at the beginning. Obviously, it has allowed them to update these plans quicker and to stay connected with the reality we are living in, either on an operational level in organizations or in social and economic terms.
Right now many professionals are searching for new employment opportunities, they are interested in finding jobs in socially responsible companies with good reputations. Why do you think this is?
This is mainly tied to the shift in society's mentality and in the way we understand the role of a company and how it must conduct itself when it comes to either protecting the planet, maintaining contact with communities, marketing their products responsibly and so on. As society elevates its level of consciousness regarding their social responsibility and the role companies and organizations have, we will see professionals much more compelled to work in socially responsible organizations.
How do you visualize the short term evolution of corporate social responsibility matters?
I think in spite of the terrible crisis we are living through, this is a moment in which socially responsible companies and the understanding or execution of CSR, is an even more important value. This is precisely the moment where society needs for all actors to compromise with the same plan and most importantly, to align themselves with a more resilient, equal and inclusive future because this crisis is clearly having an impact on all levels and, obviously, it's impacting work and people.
The world was already moving towards the automation of actions, tasks and such, now with this, we are going to see this trend accelerate and this implies many people might be left unemployed and there may also be a great impact in the new generations coming into the labor market. Therefore, companies will play a fundamental role when it comes to understanding this situation and adapting their operations to this new global reality which obviously, through corporate social responsibility, can and must be attended.
If you wish to learn more about the work done at Sumarse, we invite you to visit: https://www.sumarse.org.pa/
