The Maritime Social Responsibility group of the Spanish Maritime Cluster presented a Best Practices Manual in Madrid. The aim of this document is to introduce and extend the concept of corporate social responsibility of businesses and institutions, especially those associated to the maritime sector.
As an associate member of the Cluster, STREAM witnessed the presentation of the Manual, which took place during a seminar. During the act, the task force revealed the results of its activities, inter alia the prominent "MARES" project, co-funded by the Ministry of Work and Immigration.
The Manual looks into the concept of corporate social responsibility and how it began, and examines the keys that show whether or not it is present at professional organisations. It goes on to suggest how to set this up at all these organisations, although specifically those in the maritime sector.
Lastly, it puts forward a series of observations on opportunities and advantages of including the concept of responsibility at businesses and institutions, with a special focus on the following: process planning and actions, improving the work environment, greater identification with the organisation, more fluid dialogue with customers and suppliers, fostering the social facet of the business, proactivity in social, employment and environmental spheres, consolidation of institutional relations, securing of funding and customer loyalty.
