Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethics at

Volkswagen
The purpose of this document is to explore how
Vokswagen approach the concept of Corporate Social
Responsibility and Ethics.
A definition of Corporate social responsibility must be
provided before Volkswagen commitments to the
concept are looked at. Moir (2001: 7) defines Corporate
social responsibility as, CSR is the continuing
commitment by business to behave ethically and
contribute to economic development while improving
the quality of life of the workforce and their families
as well as of the local community and society at
large.
Werther and Chandler (2011) Explain that the many
interlocking factors of corporate social responsibility can
make the concept hard to grasp for organisations.
However Volkswagen actually lists their own view on
what they feel the term means to both themselves and
their stakeholders. I feel this shows that Volkswagen is
taking corporate social responsibility seriously. Their
definition of what they believe CSR to be is listed below.
At Volkswagen, corporate social responsibility (CSR)
is seen as our Company making a significant
contribution towards sustainable development. We
pursue environmental, economic and social objectives in equal measure. Under our
vision of
sustainability, our business practices and depletion of
resources must not compromise the ability of future
generations to meet their own needs (Volkswagen
2010).
What Volkswagen Do.

Achievements towards being socially and ethically

responsible
Volkswagen list in their corporate social responsibility
report that they have 116models with CO2
emissions of less than 120 g/km, including 20 with
less than 100 g/km (Volkswagen, 2010). This shows
that Volkswagen have tried to reduce their cars
emissions to have less of an impact on the
environment. One of the key ideas of being socially
responsible is to prevent damage to the environment.
By lowering emissions Volkswagen are acting in a
socially responsible way.
Volkswagens sustainability report also shows how 57
of Volkswagens 62 production plants are all operating
to certified international environmental standards.
This displays that Volkswagen are clearly trying to
abide by European government legislation to appear
more socially responsible.
The same sustainability report also lists that
Volkswagen has increased its employee numbers by
an 8.4% than in 2009. Their total employee figure
now stands at 399,381 and is a clear indicator that
Volkswagen are looking after both local and global
society which is one of the key factors a business must address if it is to act in a
socially responsible
way. The way this has helped is that more employees
means local and global economies have less
unemployment which directly aids the economy.
Statements by Leading Figures
Volkswagen also releases statements which are
written and issued by leading figures from head
management. This is an attempt to make
stakeholders and relevant parties interested believe

that the business is adopting the concept of corporate

social responsibility correctly. The sustainability
report includes these statements and below are some
of the key ideas which have been put across in order
to display that Volkswagen take corporate social
responsibility seriously.
Sustainability is and will remain the foundation of
our corporate policy. One clear focus is on green
mobility. This is dictated by both social responsibility
and sound business thinking.
Responsible business management and
commercial success are two sides of the same coin.
In the last two years the Volkswagen Group has
again given an impressive demonstration of this
Green mobility goes hand in hand with
environmentally sound production processes. The
Volkswagen Group is making great efforts to further
improve resource efficiency at its 62 production
facilities.
In keeping with its responsibility for society,
environment, employees and customers, the Volkswagen Group continues to adhere
to the
principles of the United Nations Global Compact.
Commitments to Corporate Social Responsobility
Through the 2018 Strategy
Volkswagen have created a strategy to achieve
corporate social responsibility targets titled the 2018
Strategy. The strategies target if achieved will make
Volkswagen the most economically and ecologically
friendly automotive manufacturer in the world. The

remainder of the report highlights some of

Volkswagens initiatives and targets it has created to
achieve this goal.
Volkswagen is so committed to corporate social
responsibility that it has two separate teams of
employees relating to the concept. The first is known
as the CSR & Sustainability Project Teams. This
group of employees analyse stakeholder and
government dialogue on the subject of corporate
social responsibility. They then create a list of topics
from the dialogue which they feel are relevant to
Volkswagen and their operations. This list of topics is
then presented to the second group of employees
known as the CSR & Sustainability Steering Group.
The two groups then work together until the steering
group creates a list of goals and statements to make
sure stakeholder and government opinions are
satisfied.
One key concept of corporate social responsibility is
that Volkswagen must look after its employees. Volkswagen has set itself the task of
being the most
attractive employer in the automotive sector by 2018.
To do this Volkswagen are releasing a global
supervisory qualification which attempts to create
highly skilled employees throughout the workforce.
Another concept of corporate social responsibility is
that organisations should act in a sustainable way in
order to look after the environment. Proof of this can
be seen in Volkswagens environment section of their
annual report. Volkswagen has introduced what they
call Life Cycle Assesments which assess the
environmental impact of Volkswagens products,

factory machines and transportation systems, for the

full life span of their usage. Volkswagen believe this
to be one of their most useful tools and believe that it
has helped them to achieve and greatly exceed
targets set by European environmental agencies
which they work in partnership with. Volkswagen also
makes the claim that its new corporate social
responsibility strategy is going to achieve the goal of
producing 40% less greenhouse gas emissions by
2020 compared to 2010. To do this Volkswagen have
created a corporate CO2 group which will use a
newly created CO2 registry that assesses the
emissions for the entire production process of every
vehicle. This displays that Volkswagen are setting
targets that are ambitious in an effort to appear as
the most socially responsible car manufacturer in the
industry. The 40% reduction is said to be a far larger
target than any other car manufacturer in the industry.
Volkswagen has set itself the task of being the most
attractive employer in the automotive sector by 2018.
To do this Volkswagen are releasing a global
supervisory qualification which attempts to create
highly skilled employees throughout the workforce.
Another concept of corporate social responsibility is
that organisations should act in a sustainable way in
order to look after the environment. Proof of this can
be seen in Volkswagens environment section of their
annual report. Volkswagen has introduced what they
call Life Cycle Assesments which assess the
environmental impact of Volkswagens products,
factory machines and transportation systems, for the
full life span of their usage. Volkswagen believe this
to be one of their most useful tools and believe that it
has helped them to achieve and greatly exceed

targets set by European environmental agencies

which they work in partnership with. Volkswagen also
makes the claim that its new corporate social
responsibility strategy is going to achieve the goal of
producing 40% less greenhouse gas emissions by
2020 compared to 2010.
Conclusion
It seems that from the evidence published by
Volkswagen a huge push to become more socially
responsible and ethical is in operation. Volkswagen
have set some bold targets yet also list some targets
which have been met. Targets set display that
Volkswagen are looking after employees and local
societies across the globe through new job creations
and training schemes. Vokswagen also display that
they are acting in a responsible way to the
environment by setting ambitious targets and setting
out their 2018 Strategy to allow them to become the
number one car manufacturer both ecologically and
economically

PRESS RELEASE
Johnsons Babys Flagship Campaign Share the Language of Love Poised to Get
Bigger This Year
Mumbai, May 9, 2014: Leading baby care expert, Johnsons Baby announces the
launch of its

Share the Language of Love campaign aimed at helping less-fortunate children

experience the
joys of childhood. By encouraging mothers across multiple cities to contribute their
childs old or
unused items, the campaign aims to bring joy to these children. Goonj, Indias
leading NGO has
partnered with Johnsons Baby since the campaign first rolled-out in 2012 and will
continue to
play a crucial role in ensuring that the contributions reach the recipients safely.
Now in its third year, the campaign is set to create more impact with new additions.
Few
highlights that will lead to this include, a higher number of cities (13 metros) for
contribution,
more touch points for contributors (256 across cities) and also due to the
VoteforLove Drive
being initiated as an on-ground activity across select cities. The campaign will offer
opportunities
for contribution until May 31.
Speaking on the launch of the campaigns third edition, Ganesh Bangalore, General
Manager Marketing, Johnson & Johnson Ltd., said, We understand that mothers
have
strong sentiments attached to their child's belongings and therefore how difficult it
can be to let
go of the same. However, mothers feel inspired to share even these belongings
when provided
with a feasible, open and convenient platform for contribution. Share the language
of love is one
such platform that not only helps less-fortunate children experience the joys of
childhood but also
makes the contributor feel motivated and fulfilled. We feel extreme pride in
associating with all

those who join us to care for one person after another, thereby leading to a positive
change in
the community.
In order to encourage more participation and to facilitate a smooth experience,
various
contribution centres have been put up at prominent locations across Mumbai, Delhi,
Bangalore,
Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Lucknow, Indore, Trivandrum, Cuttack, Hyderabad, Chennai,
Pune &
Kochi. One can also find the nearest collection centre by giving a missed call on
1800 267 6767.
On partnering with Johnsons Baby for this campaign, Anshu Gupta, Founder, Goonj
said,
This campaign is significant in many ways. At a tender age when a child learns the
value of what
he/she has and also the joy of sharing it with another, it ultimately builds a base for
a more
empathetic society. At Goonj, we have worked consistently on building a culture of
dignified
giving, which speaks not just about contributing material but goes deeper into
building a more
equitable bond between two ends of the society. The success of this campaign
speaks of all
these elements.
The collected material will be sent to Goonjs processing centers before being
shipped to parts of
21 states, where the supplies sent will closely match the needs of the recipients.
Urban parents
need to consciously teach their children how to share by having them witness acts
of sharing and
positively reinforcing such behavior. This campaign is a great way for mothers and
children to

come together to share and help others and the society as a whole.

Volkswagen is 7th.