Key Competencies for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Roles

As we examine career possibilities for the values-based professional, the field of corporate social responsibility is beginning to take shape as an emerging career option to consider. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) integrates into business strategies the issues of the workplace, community, and market place into one.

In recent studies, the following competencies were identified as desirable for professionals pursuing CSR roles:

Understanding Societal Needs:
Examining the challenges facing our society combined with the realistic knowledge of the impact of organizations on their communities. Based on this information, creating solutions that organizations can take to address societal issues and needs.

Building Organizational Capacity:
Strengthening the abilities of the organizations in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, and leadership capability and growth.

Challenging the Status Quo:
Adapting to the realities of a changing environment and creating organizational capabilities for flexibility, resilience and sustainability.

Stakeholder Relations:
Identifying and considering the needs of all organizational stakeholders. Building collaboration among stakeholders and making decisions that take into consideration of the potential impact on stakeholders.

Strategic View:
Considering the long-term implications of decisions on all stakeholders that encompass the organization, community, and society at large. Enhance strategic thinking capabilities among employees to support strengthened decision making.

Harnessing Diversity:
Appreciating the differences among a cross-cultural workforce. Leveraging this diversity to make more informed decisions that are sensitive to the cultural nuances that help create buy-in and support for initiatives that support the greater good.