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Assignment 1: Religion Case

Angélica Briceño (301398423) & Winnie Keino (301365173)

School of Business, Centennial College, ON, Canada
Corporate Sustainability & International Development
Professor Amir Hossein
September 22nd, 2024
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Question 1. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is the responsibilities that are inherent in
corporations and societies and is based on the relationship between corporations and the
societies in which they work (Chandler, 2023, p. 26). CSR is a way in which companies are
held accountable for their actions and meet the needs of their stakeholders. This accountability
encompasses the economic, legal, philanthropic, and ethical expectations that societies have on
companies (Cohen-Almagor, 2022, p. 48). According to Chandler (2023, p. 42) and Nimani et
al., (2022, p. 315), CSR is considered as a tool for advancing a company’s reputation,
encouraging innovation within the company and in society, enhancing creativity and
competitive advantage. When a company has a good reputation, it is able to gain trust from the
members of a society hence a growth in business within a company. CSR is not only good for
society but also for a company (Cohen-Almagor, 2022, p. 48). These factors, therefore,
highlight the importance of embracing CSR in companies.

Companies do have a responsibility to deliver social and environmental progress and thus the
need for them to integrate social and environmental concerns into their business strategy.
Addressing these concerns is a way for companies to give back to society keeping in mind that
without society, the company would not have been able to grow and carry out its activities.
Companies have a mandate to improve the lives of their workforce, stakeholders, and society
at large (Nimani, Zeqiraj, & Spahija, 2022, p. 315) and this can be done by addressing social
and environmental concerns. Some ways in which companies can address social and
environmental concerns include investing in issues that relate to the environment and society
such as climate change, poverty, healthcare, and environmental sustainability, among others.
Chandler in his book, Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility (2023, p. 47), uses the “What
would Jesus Drive?” campaign organized by the Evangelical Environmental Network to show
how companies can address environmental issues. The campaign addresses the need for
American automobile industries to manufacture more fuel-efficient vehicles in order to reduce
the environmental impact of vehicles such as SUVs (Chandler, 2023, p. 47). These points,
therefore, concur with Cohen-Almagor’s view that CSR is sustainable (2022, p. 48). The
initiatives that companies can use to deliver social and environmental progress can be
sustainable by either using sustainable business practices, advocating for and investing in the
use of sustainable solutions in addressing social and environmental challenges.

Question 2. A company being socially responsible with respect to religion means that the
business strategies of a company and the CSR component of a company are guided and
influenced by religious values and practices in order to incorporate the religious values of their
customers, workforce, and the community that resides in the region it carries out its operations
from (Chandler, 2023, p. 48; Fatmy, Dimic, & Vähämaa, 2023, p. 397). While religion plays
an important role in the social responsibility of a company (Fatmy, Dimic, & Vähämaa, 2023,
p. 397), it has various downsides to it. This can lead to companies discriminating against
people who they deem to be acting against their religious values and practices. A good
example is the Master Piece Cakeshop v Colorado Civil Rights Commission where a baker
refused to bake a cake for a same-sex couple (Chandler, 2023, p. 46), and this is because the
baker felt that the identity of the couple was unacceptable in his religion. According to Fatmy
et al., (2023, p. 410), companies that align themselves with religious values are considered to
have a high capability in carrying out socially responsible and ethical practices in order to
advance their brand within the communities. This will foster inclusivity and diversity.

There are various ways in which companies can include religion in their operations and
strategic outlook. One way is by ensuring that the services being offered by a company align
with the religious values of the different religions available or a specific market niche.
Chandler (2023, pp. 48-49), discusses how Islamic finance is guided by Sharia law so as to
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enable Muslims to adhere to their religious values when using modern finance. Another way is
by companies encouraging religious diversity at their workplace as this will lead to a high rate
of employee satisfaction and an increase in customer numbers and satisfaction (Singh &
Babbar, 2020, pp. 12-14). Moreover, a company that has religious diversity will be able to
carry out its social responsibilities across different religious backgrounds hence improving the
wellbeing of people from different religions.

Question 3. We believe that religion is a deeply personal matter, and individuals should have
the autonomy to decide whether or not to share their beliefs with others. However, this does
not mean that religion should be a taboo topic in the workplace. In professional environments,
open discussions about religion can be valuable, as they recognize the importance of diverse
beliefs and their broader sociopolitical implications (Duderija, A., n.d.). Unfortunately, the
increased visibility of religion in public life has sometimes led to the reinforcement of
stereotypes that can harm multicultural communities. These biases are often amplified on
social media, which tends to discourage meaningful dialogue and a variety of perspectives
(Duderija, A., n.d.). By fostering an atmosphere of respectful conversation around religious
beliefs, workplaces can promote understanding and inclusivity, ultimately strengthening the
fabric of our diverse society.

In Canada, individuals have the right to practice any religion they choose, as guaranteed by
Section 2 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. This section also protects freedoms
of speech, belief, and thought, recognizing the essential role of the press and other media in
facilitating the exchange of ideas and opinions (GC, 2024). Additionally, Section 15 ensures
that everyone is treated equally under the law and prohibits discrimination based on various
factors, including religion. Canada’s commitment to these principles is further reinforced by
international instruments, such as Section 1(c) of the Canadian Bill of Rights, Article 18 of the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, Article 14 of the Convention on the
Rights of the Child, and Article 3 of the American Declaration of the Rights and Duties of
Man (GC, 2024). However, we believe that legal protections alone are insufficient without a
strong emphasis on education. To foster a more inclusive society, it is crucial to promote
tolerance and respect for diverse beliefs. By integrating these values into our education system,
we can help create a culture of understanding and acceptance among everyone.

Question 4. When the case discusses Islamic financial products, it highlights their relation to
Sharia Law, which stipulates that money should facilitate business and trade of goods rather
than serve as a commodity or tool for speculation. According to Sharia, charging interest is
forbidden; instead, money should be used to create things, not more money (Chandler, D.,
2023, p. 49).

Islamic finance offers Muslims a way to engage with modern financial systems while
remaining true to their religious beliefs. Financial products undergo review by Sharia scholars
(Muslim clerics) to certify them as Sharia-compliant. However, there is significant criticism
suggesting that Islamic finance may not be fundamentally different from conventional Western
finance. Critics argue that some Islamic financial products merely reverse-engineer
conventional offerings in pursuit of profit, ultimately compromising their Sharia compliance.
Moreover, the absence of a unified authority governing Sharia compliance and the lack of
standardized practices complicate the oversight of these products. As a result, many Islamic
financial products may not genuinely align with the principles of Sharia Law, reflecting more
the interests of conventional western banking practices rather than authentic Islamic finance
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that is Sharia-compliant (Chandler, D., 2023, p. 50).

References

Chandler, D. (2023). Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility (6 ed.). SAGE.

Cohen-Almagor, R. (2022). Google and Corporate Social Responsibility: Youtube in the

Service of Terrorism. Perspectives on Terrorism, 16(5), 46-61. Retrieved from
https://www.jstor.org/stable/27168616

Duderija. A., (n.d.). Talking about religion at work, taboo or okay? Retrieved on September
22, 2024 from: https://www.griffith.edu.au/engage/professional-learning/content-
centre/religion-talk

Fatmy, V., Dimic, N., & Vähämaa, S. (2023). Religiosity and Corporate Social Responsibility:
A Study of Firm Level Adherence to Christian Values in The United States. Corporate
Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 31, 396-413. Retrieved from
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/csr.2576

Government of Canada (2024). Guide to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Retrieved from: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/how-rights-
protected/guide-canadian-charter-rights-freedoms.html

Government of Canada (2024). Section 2(a) – Freedom of religion. Retrieved from:

https://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/csj-sjc/rfc-dlc/ccrf-ccdl/check/art2a.html

Nimani, A., Zeqiraj, V., & Spahija, D. (2022). The Importance of Social Corporate
Responsibility for Companies: The Developing Market Study. Journal of Governance
and Regulation, 11(4), 314-320. doi:https://doi.org/10.22495/jgrv11i4siart11

Singh, R., & Babbar, M. (2020). Understanding Religious Diversity and Its Implications At
The Workplace. NMIMS Journal of Economic and Public Policy, 5(4), 10-21.
Retrieved from https://epp-journal.nmims.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Final-EPP-
Oct-2020-10-21.pdf