Corporate social responsibility - what is it and why is it so important?
For business
9 June 2025
Corporate social responsibility is a term that is increasingly common in conversations about modern business models. The concept implies a lot of good, but it can also be used negatively. Find out what corporate social responsibility is, what the key pillars of CSR are and what it looks like in practice!
Corporate social responsibility - what does it involve in practice?
Corporate social responsibility is abbreviated as CSR. The acronym comes from the English term Corporate Social Responsibility. It is a model of business management that involves acting ethically and taking into account the impact on the environment or on employees and other people. Companies subscribing to this model operate in accordance with the law, invest in projects that benefit the planet and take care to promote environmental and related activities. Undoubtedly, InPost fits into this model.
What is corporate social responsibility in practice? Concrete actions that a company can undertake are, for example, social campaigns or the ecological packaging of its products. Organising campaigns fits perfectly into the concept of spreading the company's values and policies. Through advertisements or actions, a company can draw attention to a specific issue, such as global warming or the killing of animals for fur. Green order packaging is a huge step towards improving the state of the planet and raising the environmental awareness of consumers. InPost has some recycled packaging in its product range and runs the EKO Returns initiative, which involves giving away unwanted items via Paczkomat®.
Furthermore, manifestations of CSR include, for example, the equal treatment of employees regardless of gender, age, colour, nationality or religious beliefs. In this strategy, it is also important to take care of the development of everyone working at every level of the structure. Regardless of their position, they should have the chance, for example, to attend training courses or educational lectures.
What are the tenets of the concept of corporate social responsibility?
One of the principles of corporate social responsibility is transparency of operations. The idea is that everyone should be able to check whether a company is acting ethically or whether it is doing the opposite. Companies should report not only on their activities, but on how management processes are carried out and what their effects are from an economic and consumer point of view. The premise of CSR is continuous economic development while nurturing relationships with employees, customers and stakeholders. Companies operating in this trend are concerned not only with the global good, but also with the local good.
The concept of corporate social responsibility implies a concern for equal opportunities, care for the environment and the appropriate treatment of all those working around the brand. This makes it impossible for companies operating according to these principles to have underage work, pay inequalities based on gender or origin, excessive working hours, testing of products on animals or the production of excessive amounts of waste. 
CSR strategy - what activities are part of the strategy?
A corporate social responsibility strategy involves all procedures that seek to improve the quality of life of employees, customers and the environment as a whole. One of the most popular tools for doing so is taking care of employee development. Investing in the development of competencies is always a decision worth making, and it usually pays off. Without further training and continuous improvement, a company has no chance of increasing its profits and doing so in an ethical manner.
Another example of CSR activity could be companies donating to organisations that care for the environment or fight discrimination. In doing so, the company demonstrates that it itself embraces these values and supports activities in this direction. It also shows that there is no room for acting against these principles within the company. There should always be room in business for people with disabilities or from another country.
CSR activities can include all actions taken to care for the environment. This includes, for example, the use of recycled paper packaging, the use of biodegradable packaging fillers, reducing the amount of greenhouse gases going into the atmosphere (e.g. through the use of electric cars) or waste separation. It is also important to implement standards such as, among others, SA 8000, which talks about human rights in organisations. It presupposes, for example, the prohibition of forced labour or the obligation of the employer to ensure health and safety for the employee.
Corporate social responsibility, or CSR - what are the benefits?
CSR activities bring real benefits for both the company and the people who use its services or employees. Due to their pro-environmental activities, companies' actions have a positive impact on the environment. Less waste is produced, carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere are reduced, and employees also transfer habits of caring for the planet into their everyday lives. Ecological packaging, waste segregation, energy-efficient systems in company premises, the use of tap water and digital record-keeping are just a few examples of activities that should be appreciated in companies.
Companies working with CSR principles are ideal places for employees. You can thrive there, you do not experience discrimination or pay inequality, and you work in ethical conditions. Paychecks are on time and employers offer the opportunity to enjoy a range of benefits. Companies' local and global social campaigns broaden the awareness of the whole society on important issues. Companies can promote, for example, preventive screening, vegetarianism or the fight against homophobia and other discrimination.
CSR companies can look forward to continued growth and maximising their profits. Companies that enjoy social recognition tend to be the ones most frequently chosen by consumers. They have the best chance of making a name for themselves not only domestically, but also internationally. In addition, other businesses and investors are keen to work with them. Such businesses find it easier to recruit, establish contracts and run marketing campaigns. In the currently popular influencer marketing, quality influencers are most likely to choose brands that act in accordance with their beliefs. CSR companies therefore find it easier to promote their ethical behaviour.
Opponents of CSR say that it is inappropriate for companies to expand their areas of activity into, for example, social campaigns. This is due to the fact that companies often have no experience in this type of activity and should only focus on activities related to their own industry.
Who is affected by CSR?
Corporate social responsibility CSR actually affects everyone who comes into contact with a company. It affects employees, customers or business partners. In addition, it can also affect those affected by social campaigns in which the company is involved.
It is worth implementing CSR strategies in your business as it strengthens your company's competitive position. It also allows you to build community involvement, implement environmental initiatives and increase trust in the industry.
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