Corporate and individual social responsibility have been a hot topic that is discussed by

many politicians, environmental advocates, government, and etc. Campaigns,

advertisements, and many more platforms have brought attention to the public regarding
corporate and individual social responsibilities. However, the change of behavior of people
is minimal or insignificant. Through this research, I had discovered and learned the
importance and effects of both corporate social responsibility and individual social
responsibility.

For the journal that I’ve researched for corporate social responsibility (CSR), it discussed
what is CSR and the effects of conducting CSR. It gives a detailed research which included
variables that is co-related to CSR and the contingency effects that explained the conditions
under the relationship between CSR and the change of outcomes.
(Aguinis & Glavas, 2012, p. 932 – 934)

For individual social responsibility, I had changed the article to Individual and Corporate
Social Responsibility. Reason being I changed the article as I had found a more in-depth
article that explained individual social responsibility compared to the previous article. In this
article, it encompassed both corporate and individual social responsibility. This article
discussed on the society from individuals and corporates to act socially responsible through
their actions. Also, it explained the benefits, cost and limits of socially responsible
behaviours for further social goals. (Benabou & Tirole, 2009, p. 1 – 2)

To start of the definition of corporate social responsibility is from the perspective of a

company/ corporate, acting socially responsible by contributing back to the community
through their business practices and operations.
On the other hand, individual social responsibility is from the perspective of individuals,
acting socially responsible by contributing back to the community through their ethical
efforts.

The following table is the similarities of both corporate and individual social responsibilities:
  Corporate Social Responsibility Individual Social Responsibility

1. They are both contributing back to the community

Similarities 2. Acting socially responsible brings benefits to both corporate and

individual
Benefits for individual & corporate:
Creates positive image of a corporate or an individual.
The following table is the differences of corporate and individual social responsibilities:
  Corporate Social Responsibility Individual Social Responsibility

1. It impact the community in a

1. Impact the community in a smaller
larger scale
scale
Reason being, corporate has more
Reason being, individual social
resources.
responsibility is only limited to 1
(in terms of manpower and
person. In addition, effort and work
monetary terms) Hence, the impact
conducted by a person is limited.
of social responsibility conducted
Hence, the impact of social
by a corporate or company is
responsibility is smaller compared to
greater than individual social
corporate social responsibility
responsibility.

Differences

2. It creates a win-win situation. It 2. ISR does not brings profits to an

brings profits for the firm. CSR is a
long term perspective to maximize
profits. It enables socially
responsible investors to position
themselves as long term investors
that monitor management and
correct short termism.
(Benabou & Tirole, 2009, p. 9 – 10)
individual. However, it helps an
individual to build its reputation that
creates greater opportunities for an
individual. With a good repute,
potential employers and clients
would hire or engage him/ her. This
may bring more revenue and income.
(Benabou & Tirole, 2009, p. 4 – 6)

In a nutshell, both corporate and individual social responsibilities are equally important. For
a corporate to conduct social responsibility, it is starts off with one being aware of social
responsibility and set himself/ herself as an example for others. This action is known as
individual social responsibility. Individual social responsibility is important as it act as a
kickstart to contribute back to the community through their ethical actions. By kickstarting
and raising awareness of acting socially responsible, it influence a bigger group of people,
which are colleagues, superiors, friends and family members. This attitude of acting socially
responsible influence corporates to contribute back to the community through their
business practices and operations.

Neither corporate social responsibility nor individual social responsibility should be

neglected. We should start small and influence the people around us and try to change the
attitude and behaviours of people on acting socially responsible. Through this, I had learnt
that everything is started out small, and let today be the day that we change our behaviour
and set an example to influence others so that we can protect our world and our
community.
References
Aguinis, H., & Glavas, A. (2012). What We Know and Don’t Know About Corporate Social
Responsibility: A Review and Research Agenda. Journal of Management, 932-968.

Benabou, R., & Tirole, J. (2009). Individual and Corporate Social Responsibility. Economica,
1-16.