Introducing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to a Spiritual and ‘Superstitious’ India?

Abstract

The Bhartiya (Indian) biocentric worldview and associated social responsibility as an integral part of society. Without any formal structures of social charity, the Bhartiya way of life is intertwined with social responsibility. Some of important concepts presented include: First being from Bhartiya traditional values and belief of nishkaam karm meaning selfless action. Second is the discourse of dharm-karm meaning the deeds and action for society which has not only been talked about but practised too. Third dimension is that of Sarve Bhavantu Sukhina meaning well being of all through cooperation and coordination, which has remained a guiding philosophy for ages. An analysis has been done by comparing extrinsic ways of social welfare through formal CSR and Bhartiya social structure’s capability of intrinsic sustainability in undertaking social welfare. A discussion on how, Bharat (India) as a nation could evolve a framework to establish a balance between extrinsic and intrinsic motivations towards social responsibility. The paper concludes with a discussion on the need for inducting Bhartiya philosophies into the character of leadership and management.

Keywords: CSR, Spirituality, Leadership, Spiritual leadership, Confluence, Convergence, Integral, Unified

JEL Classification: M14, N55, O13, Q20