Corporate responsibility, conflict and governance

With transmission towers back in the news this week, it seems a fitting time to observe the scope and limitations of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and how this noble intent is often thrust into conflict.

A concept not universally embraced, CSR is also referred to as corporate conscience, corporate citizenship, or responsible business. It is a form of corporate self-regulation whereby a business monitors and ensures its active compliance with the spirit of law and ethical standards. While the implementation is subject to interpretation, the concept is well recognized by all corporate organizations.

Socially responsible corporate citizenship is a relatively new term emerging predominantly in America about 50 years ago, according to Archie B. Carroll's research on the subject. Its incubus emerges as firms inherit more social responsibility to the benefit of their corporate aims. It is this connection I make to transmission tower erection and the obligations to, at minimum, consult with affected customers, citizens and governmental agencies.

As one who relies on communication and cut my second-row of teeth in the IT industry, let me affirm I am not an opponent to data connectivity or communication mobility. However within our governance framework responsible oversight would appear to be at compromise.

Government and business have a conflicted but symbiotic relationship. Business want less intervention, government demand oversight but sometimes the symbiotic nature of the relationship is far stronger than friction, and then the relationship has potential to become conflicted.

For cash starved governments struggling to balance books, selling spectrum (or frequency space) is a financial windfall. In 2008 $4.25 billion was received by the federal government, 2011 $5.3 billion and in March of this year $2 billion. Our regional new cellular entrant invested $10 million this year in acquiring more spectrum space to expand their network.

Can governments who receive financial benefits from selling "airwave space" be depended upon to make objective governance considerations? What if promotional or advertising revenues become mired in the dialogue? Governments can't necessarily be faulted, but the citizenry may suffer if adequate oversight and consultation is sacrificed.

The balance to effective corporate responsibility comes in the interaction with customers. Should the citizens have an opportunity to dialogue on the intended use of public facilities or are such decisions exclusive to elected stewards?

There are many instances of poor decisions, mismanaged public relations or erratic decision-making resulting in disaster. To limit the volume of such incidents government does have an obligation to provide oversight, governance and regulation. Business can, and should, be depended upon to generate profit. When these two parallel intentions intersect issues have potential to emerge.

Be observant and supportive of organizations, which demonstrate responsible action aligned with your own ideology and be considerate of voting by wallet to those which may not align to your values.

-The Guardian