Responsibilities of organizations

Picture by: Matthias-Haker

Organizations play a vital role in our day to day lives. Apart from our work place, every day we come across different types of organizations and have transactions with them. McShane S.L., 2000, States that organization are as old as the human race. It further goes to explain how archaeologists have discovered temples dating back 3500 B.C which can be built only by a group of organized individuals. These structures represents not only that organizations existed but that people in them cooperated with each other. In order to achieve the goals of an organization they have to cooperate with not only the people who are working with them but also the community that surrounds their establishment.

By obeying the rules and regulations by the governing bodies and respecting the culture, ethics of the society the organization must change the way it operates its activities, the products offered and how the services are provided accordingly to come to common grounds with the community. Due to the growing pressure for environmental groups organizations must comply with not only the interests of the money; to make profit but to find ways to satisfy the need for the safety of the environment and that of the investors of the organizations. 

STRATEGIES EMPLOYED TO MEET THEM
Every business needs to have a strategy and this strategy must comply with the changing environment. The survival of the organization is dependent upon the exchanges between the organization and the environment. The changes will bring challenges to the organizations but also opportunities. An effective strategy is that which in cooperates both risks and opportunities for the business.

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES 
 The chief executive for United States and senior managing director for North America of the company Accenture describe the purpose of a company as “it is most powerful when it aligns with the potential for greater social impact. As we help clients achieve high performance, we strive to make a measurable sustainable difference in our communities”. Today it is widely understood by organizations the growing importance of social responsibility of organizations. While striving to achieve the objectives of the organization it cannot however achieve autonomy from the influences of its environments. Profit is not necessarily the increase in revenue but profit is also the growing reputation of a business in the community. 

The society requires good and services created and supplied by the organization. The organization needs the factors of production and other facilities of the society. In this cycle of giving and receiving the organization and the society get opportunities for growth. The government and other legal bodies identify the importance of social responsibilities of organizations thus, introducing laws and regulations such as:
  • Employment Protection Laws.
  • Company Acts.
  • Consumer Laws.
  • Laws Regarding the safety of the environment.
Below are some social responsibilities of an organization.
  • Responsible to operate in accordance to law and regulations of the country.
  • Should avoid any activities that are harmful to the community.
  • Avoid the manipulation of information presented to the community.
  • Should not use its political power to influence the changes in laws according to their needs.
  • Participate in donations and charitable events in support of the interests of the community.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES
Today many organizations are adapting their operations to the changes in the environment. Due to changes in climate there has been an outcry by many pressure groups as well as the general public to introduce renewable resources and minimizing its consumption. Businesses have come to the realization that acting in environmentally responsible manner is not only legal duty but its affects the survival of the business and long term success as well. In short, there is no point in having a business if there is no planet to have it on. Some of the environmental responsibilities include:
  • Investing in clean technologies.
  • Using energy from renewable sources such as solar energy.
  • Minimizing waste and promoting recycling.
  • Switching to environment friendly machinery and product that are used in this organizations.
  • Making sure the organization comply with restrictions on the storage and use of hazardous substances.
  • Complying with the various environment legislation of the government. 
  • Consider the damages to the environment when starting a new business venture or project. In some cases the damages are imminent however the organization should anticipate and minimize the damage.
  • Equipment that needs maintenance, servicing has to be done regularly. For example refrigerators and air conditioners.
  • Introduce guidelines indicating waste and recycling policies of the company and make sure they are strictly followed by all the employees of the organization.
  • Avoid damaging habitats of endangered animals, water contamination and projects that involved a great risk to the human health.
  • If such an incident occurs it should not be let at bay but should inform the authorities responsible to find a solution as soon as possible. 
MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
It is believed by some employees of an organization that the management is responsible only to meet the needs of its owners. But we understand through analyzing the stakeholders within a business that in order to grow the organization must also meet the interests of the other stakeholders within the organization as well. They include:
  1. Employees.
  2. Customers.
  3. Suppliers.
  4. Competitors.
  5. The community.
  6. Government.
1. RESPONSIBILITIES TO EMPLOYEES

Employees are essential to an organization. Employees need the organization as well. This employer and employee relationship is what strengthens the organization on the inside. Organizations battle in the pursuit of finding hardworking loyal employees on a regular basis. But in order to find them and make sure they remain loyal, employees demand more than just the employment in the firm and work recognition certificates. With the changing world people have higher expectations from their employer. Some of the management responsibilities to achieve these goals are:
  1. Fairness in treating all employees.
  2. Improving the working environment with technological developments.
  3. Making sure the working environment is safe, giving assurance that the company will take measures necessary for the treatment of the employee if an incident were to occur in the work place. For example if a staff gets injured while using machinery provided by the organization, they have to pay for his treatment.
  4. With the advancement the employees need training.
  5. Introducing leisure activities.
  6. Create a friendly working environment.
  7. Provide effective personal and employment relation policies.
2. RESPONSIBILITIES TO CUSTOMER

A bad review by a customer can affect the organization to an ample amount; to the revenue as well as the reputation. Organization has to regard and take into consideration various other ways they can keep the customers satisfied. Some responsibilities to achieve the satisfaction include:
  1. Providing good value for money.
  2. Provide durable and safe products.
  3. Prompt attention to complaints and queries.
  4. Practice fairness amongst all customers regardless of race or cultural differences.
  5. Providing valid information to the customers.
3. RESPONSIBILITIES TO SUPPLIER

In order to have a good relationship with the supplier the organization must ensure of the following responsibilities. They are:
  1. Complying with the terms and agreements of the transactions.
  2. Prompt payments.
  3. Maintaining a long term relationship.
  4. Keeping the transaction carried out between the organizations and supplier confidential.
4. RESPONSIBILITIES TO COMPETITORS
The competitor the organizations have to deal with is one of factors that differentiate firms from one another. A competitor of an organization in the field of technology is different to competitors of an organization that deals with groceries and other food items. Some organizations have to deal with fierce competition while others have to deal with less intense competition. When faced with intense competition some organizations seek to find loop holes in the law and find ways to manipulate it get profit. However organizations must practice morality when dealing with competition for the sake of their image amongst the customers as well as the competitors. Below are some responsibilities of organizations to its competitors.
  1. Obeying the laws and regulations put forth by the government.
  2. Compete ethically and honestly.
  3. Do not attempt to get trade secrets of competitors improperly.
5. RESPONSIBILITIES TO COMMUNITY

The community is the place where organizations get the factors of production to produce the goods and services needed. Organizations have a responsibility to respect the environment and avoid activities that may disrupt the lives of the people in the community. Some such responsibilities of organization to the community include:
  1. Avoid the usage of hazardous products that brings danger to the environment.
  2. Avoid activities that may create noise pollution.
  3. Transportation policies must be placed in a way it does not damage nor bring difficulty to the people.
  4. Participate in events, gathering and charities organized by the community in order to show your support for the good cause.
  5. Helping the community in times of crisis. 
6. RESPONSIBILITIES TO GOVERNMENT

To be in line with the government is one of the factors that contribute to the easy operation of the organization. If the organization opposes the laws and regulation put forth by the government it will face threats to its survival and growth. Some of these responsibilities include:
  1. Paying taxes. Example: Incomes tax, GST.
  2. Complying with import / export laws of the country.
  3. Complying with the legal steps given by the government to establish business ventures.
  4. Assisting the government in solving social problems.
  5. Limiting the extent of political involvement that may interfere with the works of the government.