Core responsibility

Organisations, and therefore companies as a special form of organisation, have a social responsibility. The approaches of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as well as the efforts towards sustainability are, on the one hand, an expression of the fact that companies are recognised as having such a responsibility. On the other hand, they are an expression of the fact that companies recognise a responsibility that goes beyond economic success. At least when they implement CSR or sustainable corporate development concepts and processes – be it because of external pressure or because of an inner conviction. The range of issues for which companies are held responsible appears to be immense. If we add to this the facets of a responsible and sustainable conduct concerning primarily social and ecological issues – such as dealing with child labour in supplier countries or climate protection at national and international sites – then the scope of responsibility seems almost infinite. This in turn can lead to a company being overburdened. However, from a philosophical or ethical perspective, one can also ask how far an organization's responsibility should actually extend and on what grounds we can define appropriate and justifiable limits of corporate responsibility.