INTEGRATION OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES (CSR) INTO BUSINESS STRATEGIES, A MEANS OF ENHANCING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF BUSINESSES: CASE OF FOOD PROCESSING COMPANIES IN RWANDA (Published)
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is of high relevance for food companies as this sector has a strong impact and a high dependence on the economy, the environment and on society. CSR’s threats and opportunities are increasingly shifting from the single-firm level to food supply chains and food networks. This induces substantial challenges for the future due to firm heterogeneity and the associated diversity in CSR approaches. At a time when global environmental issues are becoming more critical than ever, environmental protection is an obligation that any corporate citizen owes to nature and the society, for we have a duty to protect the home that we mutually share. Environment protection, energy conservation and emission reduction have been and shall continue to be the persistent objectives of these entrepreneurs. Food transformation companies must be committed to pro-active environmental protection by optimizing their production processes and helping to develop a low-carbon economy, as they strive to build an environment-friendly enterprises and facilitate development in harmony with nature. This article intends to remind entrepreneurs that CSR is founded on a stronger recognition of the role of business as an active partner in a world of scarcity and dwindling resources. It shows also how we can reduce negative socio-environment impacts in our operations? The solution is by integrating CSR into value chain of businesses.
Keywords: CSR, CSR strategies, Solutions to social environmental issues, Sustainable Development