Case of SMex

Introduction

The following blog is the final project of the subject "Social Responsibility" (SR) and aims to integrate all the contents reviewed by applying them to a hypothetical case. Basically, an imaginary problematic of a company is presented and it is followed by a series of solutions. It is worth noting that all the content is oriented to theoretical principles, norms of SR and a personal sense of creative solve-problem. At the end, some conclusions are presented so as to condense the given proposal towards the case. Also, some reflections are attached to share how from now on the panorama of the subject looks like in my own life.

"SMex" a potentially succesful company if it follows sustainability

By: Sofía Sierra Luna, ID 00445488

Major in Human and Family Development, University Anáhuac Mexico North Campus

The employer brand of the Mexican distributor of food products “SMex” is at risk because of its stagnation in the economic growth, high carbon footprint and practices of social injustice.

Not only the company´s reputation is being affected, but also its employees are giving signals of discomfort such as: stress and fatigue, frustration for not having a family-work balance, objection towards the environmental impact in the value chain, inconformity with the salary and the profit reports, among others.

Context

According to Hernández (2023), Mexico is heading the laboral insatisfaction in Latin America with a 31.6% punctuation below the percentage shared by a report of Rankmi. In fact, if human capital is not seen as the most important in companies, then a vicious circle appears where “Disengagement from the workforce leads to more turnover, less development, lower productivity, and poor results” (Hernández 2024 cites Bado).

Because of the previous, it is urgent to take action to enrich the experience of the collaborators in "SMex" so that they have a positive impact in their immediate environent.

Solution

With the objective of improving the impact of "SMex" on the environmet, economy and society, the new model of Social Responsibility consists on the implementation of strategies that will have as compass the three pillars of sustainability so as to commit the company with the socio-economic development as well as with the preservation of the envrironment: 

1. Social: Renew the working spaces with an inclusive vision were equal opportunities and a sane environment exist and commit stakeholders with projects that empower the local communities.  

2. Economic: Promote an Ethical economy to finance activities that transform society and move forward a model of circular economy to foster the effectiveness of the productive sytem.

3. Environmental: Teach collaborators on the causes, effects and externalities of climate change so to come up with a brainstorming on how to reduce wastement and use efficiently natural resources along the vlaue chain for a start.

In addition to the previous, the action plan for "SMex" will follow the model of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to innovate the area of human capital towards a long-term social development that aspires to the common good.

Actions:

• Incorporate values to the organizational culture such as: respect of human rights, accountability and ethical behavior. 
• Create a manual of Ethics that applies to each actor of the value chain so to promote transparency in the practices, encourage an adequate governance and guarantee fair labour conditions.

• Foster Individual Social Responsibility (ISR) by creating a culture of responsible consumption.

• Release a social marketing campaign inside the company about turning life more eco-friendly with the replacement of some daily practices that generate a trial of waste of pollution.

• Follow a guideline that advocates for human rights and to the dignification of labor practices.

• Standarize equal pay work, look after the life-work balance of the collaborators with flexible working modes, maintain an environment free of discrimination and abide labour laws.

• Programs that consider the importance of governance.
• Have periodical meetings where the top management gets involved with the staff of collaborators with the aim of sharing the progress in terms of sustainability and to get close to their necessities.

• Campaigns than encourage active participation and the community development of vulnerable groups in “SMex” such as collaborators with disabilities and migrants. 

• Organize cultural events that animate their integration to the organizational culture, conduct frequent feedback surveys, provide them equitable benefits, have a clear and accessible communication and design awareness programs for staff.

Conclusions

The purpose of turning “SMex” into a sustainable company is to comply with the SDG 8 about “Decent work and economic growth” and by this, achieve the ISO 26000 certification and the Socially Responsible Company (ESR) distinctive in a 5 year term. With the new Social Responsibility model, "SMex" business activities may target the following:

• SDG 8: Contribute to the per capita economic growth of a developed country, support decent job creation and protect labour rights (United Nations, n.d.).

• ISO 26000: Have a correct management by considering the Triple Bottom Line: profit, person and planet and basing on the compilance with international regulations.

• ESR: Include in its goals support for social, economic and environmental needs with the aim of being more competitive and increasing its value (Universidad Anáhuac, 2021).

Personal reflection

Personal area

The way in which my lifestyle is committed with Social Responsibility (SR) is by being sensitive with my patterns of consumption, optimizing the use of resources, taking advantage of connectivity to stay informed about the negative and positive externalities towards climate change, supporting the local economy, extending respect and help to vulnerable groups and backing NGOs that advocate in favor of human rights. 

Now that I know better the concept of SR, I would go beyond philantropical actions and search for projects that seek a long-term social development. Also, as now I´m conscious about the affinity of my Catholic religion with the ethical vision that sustains most of the social goals oriented to sustainability, it is an exellent opportunity for me to go deeper into the Christian Social Thought.

Professional area

As a future Human and Family Developer, I would like to encourage the organizational sector to invest in the human capital so to give the companies an increased value and competitiveness. Specifically, I am keen on giving formation to the collaborators according to a human integral development and thus, nurse their ecological dimension so that they take care of their relationships with the community and with the environment. 

By fostering the development of the collaborators towards Social Responsibility, they will become agents of change in their families and local communities. Also, this will trace an easier path for companies to become sustainable and it is through the model of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) that they can achieve an economic progress, attend social justice and support environmental preservation.

References

Hernández, G. (10 de abril de 2023). Detractores vs promotores: México registra los niveles más altos de insatisfacción laboral. El Economista. https://eleconomista.com.mx/capitalhumano/Detractores-vs-promotores-Mexico-registra-los-niveles-mas-altos-de-insatisfaccion-laboral-20230409-0003.html

Hernández, G. (09 de abril de 2024). “Estamos en una era de insatisfacción laboral”: ¿Qué motiva hoy a los trabajadores? El Economista. https://www.eleconomista.com.mx/capitalhumano/Estamos-en-una-era-de-insatisfaccion-laboral-Que-motiva-hoy-a-los-trabajadores-20240408-0141.html

ISO. (n.d.). Standards. https://www.iso.org/standards.html

United Nations. (n.d.). Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all. https://sdgs.un.org/goals/goal8#targets_and_indicators

Universidad Anáhuac. (4 de junio de 2021). ¿Qué es ser una Empresa Socialmente Responsable en México? https://www.anahuac.mx/blog/que-es-ser-una-empresa-socialmente-responsable-en-mexico