The social responsibility of influential companies

It’s fairly self-evident that the bigger your company, the larger your social responsibility. Top brands have a duty not to abuse the power that comes with their wealth and influence, but rather to nurture healthy values within their walls and set sizable longterm goals. This could be through simply adhering to the correct regulations to keep customers safe and in the know – as is the case with online gaming – or it could be through wide-reaching charity partnerships or global development schemes.

When it comes to social change, there are some companies that have philanthropy drilled into their whole ethos. For example, since their establishment, Ben & Jerrys have donated millions towards community action, not to mention their commitment to sustainability, which continues to this day with their inclusion of dairy-free ice-cream, suitable for their most eco-conscious buyers. Bosch, too, give a large proportion of their profits towards environmental causes in an attempt to help to reduce CO2 emissions into the future. Though Starbucks have come under fire, they are equally invested in selling sustainable coffee and helping communities. As well as committing to providing a million coffee trees to farmers as part of a conservation project, the company also plans to hire 10,000 refugees over 75 countries over the next five years, and 25,000 veterans by 2025.

The Ikea foundation also show a similar concern for the wider, war-torn community, as shown in their goal to create a better everyday life for as many people as possible around the world. As part of this pledge, their Bright Lives for Refugees campaign as funded renewable power at refugee camps by establishing a solar farm in Jordan. When it comes to having a wider scope for social change, Google, one of the most valuable brands in the world, also shows a commitment to using their influence in the name of  “people-focused philanthropy”. Their methods include using their data to uncover and expose racial injustice and translating books onto open platforms to make education more accessible internationally.

When it comes to another area of the web, gaming, online casinos are becoming more responsible in part thanks to an official UK license implemented in 2018. This new sanction prevents clients from being kept in the dark and has laid the groundwork for other countries, who followed suit soon after with their own legislation – for example, Sweden, who introduced new legislation on 1^st January 2019. The interest in online gaming remains high since the law was introduced, with many people looking for the best casino site, perhaps due to a more clear-cut, easy to understand gaming experience. Indeed, the new sanctions mean that online sites have a duty to their customers to give them information regarding the UK gaming licence (and those abroad) and what they mean to bookmakers and clients alike. In addition, some bookmakers have even taken their own initiative, such as Oddcheckers, who donate a portion of bets placed at Cheltenham Festival on the Injured Jockeys Fund.

The editorial unit