Investigating and Understanding Responsibilities of SHARP Company

Question: Discuss about the Investigating and Understanding Responsibilities of SHARP Company. Answer: Introduction Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is considered as a business initiative to measure and take responsibility for the impact of the company on the social and environmental wellbeing (Lindgreen Swaen, 2010). Legal responsibilities of a business organisation include the needs that are imposed on it by the regulatory bodies of the country. As per the theory of CSR, it is crucial for the company to ensure that it is obeying all the laws besides making a profitable business. Legal responsibilities include labor law, securities regulations, criminal law and environmental regulations (Carroll Shabana, 2010). The Labor law defines the obligations and rights as employees and employers. Labor law of Australia includes the two major acts are Industrial Relations Reform Act 1993 and Workplace Relations Act 1996, which offers a framework of a cooperative relationship within the workplace that promotes welfare and economic growth of the employees. These acts direct working condition that comprises working hours, posing of employees, part-time and fixed-time jobs. Informing and referring employees refer to the process of consulting with them regarding transfer of organisation, collective dismissals and so on (Ilo.org, 2017). Bodansky, Brunne Hey (2012) stated that, environmental regulationshave become more important by the time. These regulations have imposed environmental obligations for all companies thos they have to meet. Business organiations are obliged to carry out a risk assessment for measuring environmental impact of their businesses. Moreover, it imposes rules of registering with environmental regulator for bigger packaging products. Companies must decrease their packaging and only utilise packaging that fulfills environmental standard. Further, the waste should be stored and disposed appropriately so that it cannot harm the surroundings. History of legal responsibilities- The concept of corporate social responsibility is not contemporary. Its precursors rooted in the 18th and 19th century. The 20th century and specifically the past 60 years have beheldintense economic, social, regulatory and environmental challenges to business. In the last 80 years, the argument was on the corporate purpose in the legal aspect of business. Whether the purpose should be maximizing the wealth of shareholders or it should be broader than this. 1930 was economically and socially stressful for business organisations, as their activities highly affected many regions of the world. In 1980, social and business interest is combined and companies became more committed to their internal and external stakeholders. Finally, in 2000, legal CSR became ultimately a crucial strategic issue (Cebcglobal.org, 2017). Legal responsibilities as related to CSR with reference to SHARP company Sharp is committed toward becoming a socially responsible organisation. It is dedicated toward strengthening the legal system and compliance, not just in Japan, but also globally, to certify that obedience is cohesive into all internationalmanagement practices of Sharp. Therefore, it is concerned with the impact of its activities that have on itsemployees, suppliers, customers, surrounding society and environment.The company is aimed at improving the quality of lives for its workers through providing them all the necessary facilities and benefits as set by the law (Sharp-world.com, 2017). As stated by Evans Sawyer (2010), in recent time, government policies have pursued to attain strong social and high employment protection, improve working and living condition of workers and protect social unity. Therefore, minimum standard of wages and working time are set within the labor law that is mandatory for the companies to follow for their employees. Following the rules, Sharp recruit employees without discriminating them relate to their age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, race, color or disability. Further, the company provides flexible working hour, adequate wages and other benefits. Ithelps the firm to maintain an effective relationship with its employees and thus, reduce employee turnover rate. The company describes compliance as the process of perceiving societal code of conduct and the regulations of the company, comprising corporate ethics and laws. Therefore, the policy of the of the firm is to pursue the continuing development of policy and system measure for the execution ofmanagement activities that provide importance of compliance (Sharp-world.com, 2017). In order to toughen the national and international business expansion, Sharp has been following the PDCA (plan-do-check-act) cyclefor developing its acquiescence for Sharp corporation, other associated companies and international subsidiaries. The firm fosters sound business deeds with the business faith of Sincerity and Creativity. Sharp Code of Conduct includes all the standards that are to be followed by its employees and executives. It helps the firm to contribute to the welfare of the society and set up an environmentally sustainable image. Moreover, the company ensures that its entire supply chain work in promoting effort of the company regarding CSR, not just in material attainments, but also in the development, manufacturing and sales processes. Hence, the company has set up Sharp Basic Purchasing Principles and Sharp Supply Chain Deployment Guidebook that is conventionality with the EICC Code of Conduct released by the Electric Industry Citizenship Coalition. Through this, i t appeals its suppliers to make theory own exertion toward CSR as per the guidebook and principles(Sharp-world.com, 2017). Raising ethical and legal awareness for ensuring compliance- In order to increase ethical awareness within its existing and newly recruited employees, the firm distribute the compliance guidebook among all the employees in Japan. Moreover, training sessions are held to educate employees regarding the subjects of the guidebooks provided to them. This fosters ethical activities within all over the firm (Sharp-world.com, 2017). Consultation hotline for issues related to compliance- Sharp Corporation and its other associated firms have established a hotline for giving counseling regarding the issues within the workplace. It has also incorporated a hotline of antitrust that particularly serves as a communication point for problems pertaining to antitrust laws. These hotlines provide assistance and service to the employees regarding the Whistleblower Protection Act. The consultation service helps the firm to identify real or possible defilement of the law and take immediate action to settle them (Sharp-world.com, 2017). Inhibiting corruption and dealing appropriately with donations- The company has developed The Sharp Group Charter Corporate Behavior that includes provisions, which firmly avert any kind of corruption within the firm like direct or indirect inducement of goods or money and coercion. This policy along with The Group Charter Code of Conductinstruct that donations must be controlled in an ethically acceptable manner. Apart from that, Sharp foils inappropriate expenditures an illegal payoffs following a process of compulsory reviews. CSR related issues faced by Sharp- Unstable stock of Sharp climbed nearly 6% on reports. Hence, the company accepted the deal of Taiwan Foxcon, which offered a multi-billion dollar. It helped the firm to remain unbroken, while it would be divided under a competing bid from the INCJ (Innovation Network Corporation of Japan). Despite bankruptcy, Sharp maintains the leading position in liquid crystal display technology, which is an important strength for Hon Hai (Theguardian.com, 2017). The above discussion indicates that, Sharp is highly dedicated to fulfilling its corporate social responsibility appropriately so that it can contribute toward improving the living conditions of the internal and external stakeholders. The policies, practices and code of conducts applied by Sharp certifies that the firm is committed to comply all the legal requirements related to CSR and conduct its business ethically. Implications for global CSR practices and sustainability for Sharp Sharp applies the PDCA cycle for its global subsidiaries too for ensuring compliance with the legislations related to CSR. The company works toward spreading awareness of obedience with CSR legislations on a universal basis and promote the awareness all over the Sharp Group. In order to conduct its business deeds sustainably in the overseas, the firm sets up regulations customized for every region after considering the local laws related to CSR (Sharp-world.com, 2017). For strengthening, its legal compliance in the global markets, the company has recruited a topmanagement representative to act as a CO (Compliance officer) in every major region in China, Asia and United States. Further, to make its business sustainable in those regions.The company has also appointed legal matter staffs in those regions. These staffs share information related to legal activities and compliances with their respective Cos and work collaboratively for making the compliance stronger. Besides, the appointees als conduct meetings with the legal Unit of Sharp at the head office on a regular basis. Furthermore, to promote compliance globally, the CSR/Compliance Committee lead by the president of Sharp holdmeetings for discussing and confirming the process of spreading awareness reading complying measures and enforcing them. The meetings also prioritise the sequence of implementation for every measure and regulates the schedule consequently (Sharp-world.com, 2017). Although, Sharp carries a number of activities and implement policies for fulfilling their corporate social responsibility appropriately, however, the company must increase their focus on developing an effective communication channel with its subsidiaries in the overseas. The company may incorporate modern ICT software for improving the quality and effectiveness of communication with the associated companies operate globally. Applying the most updated information and communication technology may help the firm to promote its compliance of legalrequirements more effeciently. Conclusion Complying with CSrrelated legislation is mandatory or every business organisation. It can be done by combining the corporate interest with social interest. Therefore, Sharp has developed and implemented various policies and practices for promoting compliance in its national and international business. It helped the firm to develop its image as an ethically responsible firm. However, for improving compliance it must enhance the communication with overseas subsidiaries that can be done by incorporating new information and technology software. References Bodansky, D., Brunne, J., Hey, E. (2012).The Oxford handbook of international environmental law.Oxford University Press. https://asu.pure.elsevier.com/en/publications/the-oxford-handbook-of-international-environmental-law Carroll, A. B., Shabana, K. M. 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