۱٫ Introduction

۲٫ Theoretical background

۳٫ Methodology

۴٫ Results and findings

۵٫ Conclusion and discussion

Acknowledgements

References

If companies wish to succeed on the markets with strong competitive pressure, they have to focus their attention not only to make a profit, or increase market share, but also to increase protection of the environment, and help the local community. The aim of the paper is to point out the possibility of applying The EFQM Excellence Model in assessing the level of CSR. Results are based on information gathered through extensive literature review using internet and research databases and the author’s own experience. It can be concluded that The EFQM Excellence Model underwent and is undergoing constant changes, individual areas and criteria serving for the overall assessment are being changed and amended.

Introduction

In the past, companies focused mainly on maximizing profit for shareholders, creating products at minimal cost. Today, only such orientation is not sufficient for success. If companies wish to succeed on the markets with strong competitive pressure, they have to focus their attention not only to make a profit, cost reduction, or increase market share, but also to increase protection of the environment, and help the local community. For most customers is the most important not only final product, for shareholders the amount of profit, but also important is the way the product has been made and the profit realized. Therefore, it is important that companies operate responsibly towards all stakeholders and apply the principles of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Authors, governmental and nongovernmental organizations have been dealing with the issue of CSR from many points of view for many years, opinions on the identification of individual items of corporate social responsibility are differing due to various views of this issue (Bowen, 1953; Holme, Watts, 2000; WBCSD, 2000; Koppl, Neureiter, 2004; Fuchs-Gambock, Langmeier, 2006; Government of Canada, 2006; Herchen, 2007; Hohnen, 2007; Friesl, 2008; Geicke, 2008; Lotter, Braun, 2010; Werther, Chandler, 2010; Remisova, 2011): x Social responsibility refers (Bowen, 1953) to the obligations of businessmen to pursue those policies, to make those decisions, or to follow those lines of action which are desirable in terms of the objectives and values of our society.x Corporate Social Responsibility is (WBCSD, 2000) the continuing commitment by business to contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as of the community and society at large.