What does Social Responsibility mean for an MBA?

Corporate Social Responsibility has become a buzzword these days. What relevance does ‘social responsibility’ have in the life of a B-School student? Especially in these turbulent times of recession, plummeting Sensex and collapsing i-Banks. Does CSR really matter now? Yes, it does matter! There is one component in MBA education which sadly is missed in most of the Management schools today. That component is developing a social perspective among the students.
Is CSR limited to taking a few English classes or for that matter a few computer classes in an NGO and then preparing a report and submitting to the institute? Does it end there? Or, is there something more to it?
When we heard of this programme called DOCC (Development of Corporate Citizenship) of S.P.Jain Institute of Management and Research we took it like any other assignment in a B-school. When we came to know that it was a 6 weeks program where we have to work with an NGO, we thought what an unnecessary hassle it is, working in a village in this summer!!
But four weeks into DOCC, we believe it has been one of the most fruitful, rewarding and satisfying experience in our lives.
As responsible members of the society, MBAs do have a responsibility to proactively participate in activities of relevance to the society.
The social sector which is still unorganised and unstructured gives the students a unique opportunity to work in such an environment. Compounded by the tough conditions faced here, the challenges become all the more difficult and demanding. Thus it is not only an excellent opportunity to apply and test what the students have learnt but also to make a meaningful impact for the betterment of the society. They say that the taste of fire makes pure steel. What can be a better taste than the taste of ‘Social India’ at the beginning of one’s career?
Working with the social sector for quite a considerable period of time will imbibe a sense of social responsibility in these future managers.
The key for the students is to keep in mind that when they are working with the social sector, they are not merely students complying with the requirements of the curriculum rather a capable consultant investing time and energy in contributing to a social need.
On the other hand, the social sector benefits by getting managerial inputs. NGOs have financial limitations. Hiring external consultants can be a significant strain on their financials. Through programs like DOCC, NGOs are able to overcome this problem.
The inputs provided by the student after intensive study of a particular NGO, benefits not only that particular NGO, but also similar NGOs working in the same field. Such studies can bring forth best practices which can be adopted by other NGOs.
At the end of the 6 weeks the students are sensitized about their role as a contributor towards the society. When these students will join the corporate sector, they will not only be sensitive to the issues of Corporate India but also the issues of under-privileged India. They will have a comprehensive understanding how things can be implemented and they will not be confined to the comforts of their air conditioned rooms.
It’s only two of us working here. All our batchmates are working in various parts of the country with different NGOs. Some helping the shawl weavers at Kullu to develop a marketing plan, some at Ladakh, and some at Andaman and other places. This is 176 of us. Now if 20 more MBA schools with on an average 140 participants work for 6 weeks with 6 hrs per day in the social sector. That is (20*140*6weeks*5days*6hrs/day) which comes out to be 504000 hrs of management expertise going into the social sector! If all the B schools in India can do the same just imagine what a great change we can achieve which will transform the lives of millions of Indians for better.
- Siddhartha / Ritesh