Competitiveness-Based Corporate Social Responsibility Programs of Companies in the Philippines

Abstract

This study is mainly focused on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs of the companies in the Philippines. Global Competitiveness Index (GCI) is defined by the World Economic Forum as a set of institutions, policies, and factors that determine the level of a country's productivity, conditions of public institutions, and technical conditions. Data used in GCI are public accessible statistics from the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and results of findings made by the World Economic Forum. These findings are made annually with the support of partner institutions and business centers. By and large Global Competitiveness Index serves as a springboard in the implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The descriptive comparative method of research was utilized to collect the data needed using the modified type of survey questionnaire. Selected CSR managers of corporations belonging to the League of Corporate Foundations are the respondents of the study. In selecting the respondents of the study, a simple random sampling technique was used. It was concluded that most of the League of Corporate Foundations in the Philippines are from service type of business; their capitalization is 100,000,001.00 pesos and above; they have 10-99 employees; they were in operation for 10 to 20 years, and the community development is the type of their CSR program. The majority of their ISO Certification is ISO 9001 (QualityManagement System). The Global Competitive Index is not being used by corporations as a basis for developing their corporate social responsibility programs. Voluminous requested projects by various stakeholders like the communities reduced the use of GCI data in CSR programs was considered as a very serious problem encountered in the utilization of GCI pillars in CSR programs development. Also, they may utilize the proposed theory of this study in the design of their CSR programs to give structure and sound basis for the selection of target beneficiary sectors. It was recommended that CSR practitioners should utilize GCI in developing their corporate social responsibility programs. Also, they may utilize the proposed theory of this study in the design of their CSR programs to give structure and sound basis for the selection of target beneficiary sectors. Ultimately, they may employ the proposed theory in congruence with the existing theory as presented to facilitate the effective attainment of firm-level competitive advantages.