solidarity - The fifth production factor
In a time when the state and the other autonomies
do not have any more the adequate financial
resources, originated from their taxation systems,
for satisfying the collective needs and the
essential services to be provided for the citizens,
either within the EU or in the neighbouring
countries, finding an alternative source to
finance at least a part of the abovementioned
costs is an imperative necessity. The only subject
able to play such role seems to be the company
- in all its dimensions and organizational forms.
The company is not a "quid alieno"
in relation with its operational context, but
a direct result of the various production factors
and of the common feeling of its promoters -
the ones that make its existence possible. In
such sense, besides the three classical production
factors (land, capital, work) and the already
added fourth one - business organisation - the
company should consider a fifth factor to be
remunerated: the internal social responsibility
as well as the external one - oriented towards
the territory in which the company operates.
The social responsibility of the companies
The social responsibility of the companies
is not an "additional" element to
their fundamental activities, but a part of
their administration systems. Due to the fact
that the companies are functioning within a
continuously changing environment, shaped by
the internal market as well as by the globalisation
process, the social responsibility has a significant
economic power. In addition to profit making,
the companies may contribute to the achievement
of social and environmental goals, as well as
to the associative growth - e.g. through a new
offer of the Mediterranean product, materialised
in the creation of trust funds for such purpose.
Therefore, the companies could see the social
responsibility as a new investment, instead
of a pure cost. If on one hand the globalisation
process creates new perspectives for the companies,
on the other hand it asks for a wider and more
articulated organisation, connected with a new
responsibility at the planetary level, especially
in the developing countries (that are at the
same time consumers of finished products and
suppliers of raw materials). Public opinion
becomes more and more important due to the fact
that the image and reputation of a company have
an increasing impact on the financing of the
entrepreneurial activities.
The consumer or the supplier do not become "financial
shareholders" if they do not share the
spirit of the entrepreneurial action, perceived
in a favourable way. All of the above statements
are proven by the fact that an increasing number
of companies, even small and very small ones,
are extending their activities at a global level,
encouraged by the markets' liberalisation and
the exchanges' integration. Along with the start
of a self-entrepreneurship process, it is necessary
to create a system of global governance that
also comprises the social and environmental
dimensions as well as a multilateral discipline
aimed to limit the phenomenon of the international
economic criminality. At the present, the OECD
guidelines for multinational enterprises are
to be mentioned in the sense, as well as other
international agreements for the implementation
of which the intervention of national governments
and regional unions is required, in spite of
the disregarded content of the art. XXIV of
the WTO Statute. It is also important to mention
that the social responsibility instrument is
specifically mentioned at the European level
as a method to attain the Lisbon objective,
which is "to build an economy of dynamic
and competitive knowledge, based on cohesion".
Obviously, such goal is to be accomplished not
only within the area of the "25 + 2",
but also in all the proximity countries, because
without them there are no premises for cohesion
and competition capacity through a unitary Mediterranean
proposal.
Certainly, the abovementioned entrepreneurial
initiative should be developed together with
the decrease of the resources' consume, of the
polluting emanations and litter, in order to
determine the consequent positive impact for
the environment. Social responsibility should
not be limited to the national level, but extended
to the entire proximity area, as well as at
the micro-level - commercial partners and suppliers,
clients - at the public authorities and NGOs,
at the local communities and environment. It
is true that companies create advantages for
the communities by offering working places,
wages and fiscal revenues. But at the same time
they depend on the good health, on the stability
and prosperity of the communities in which they
operate. The good image - as employer and producer
- built by the company within the community
has a significant influence on its competitiveness,
especially if such company is part of a group
or of an associated productive structure. Even
in the Mediterranean area, a good image may
help the company to benefit from instruments
such as cultural heritages, which are the foundations
of the marketing in the area. Furthermore, by
becoming a development factor through activities
like leasing and participative loans, the company
shows respect for the religious "virtus"
and "vis" of the monotheistic Mediterranean
tradition, by placing such values within a laic
context.
conclusions
The acquisition of social capital, as a result
of the positive relations developed with the
local communities, has a special importance
for the non-local companies, such as the Italian
ones abroad. That is why many companies offer
complementary courses or professional trainings,
sponsor cultural and sportive events and support
non-profit entities. Such companies - in association
with universities that prepare their new local
assistants - could create the poverty network
of the proximity in order to use it for experiencing
real competition. Certainly, the use of social
responsibility means implies the full future
respect of the human rights (according to inter
alia ILO Declaration on fundamental principles
and rights at work), of the provisions regarding
the working conditions, the safeguarding and
renaissance of the environment, as well as the
respect of the related national and international
binding provisions.
Vincenzo Porcasi
