1. Green Concept

          More and more businesses are paying more attention to obtaining the Carbon Label for their products to the world of their social responsibility. Aside from the good image, the label would also reduce the production cost through the more efficient process. The green concept is applied in the design, purchasing, logistics, meeting, marketing, services and others. More wastes are recycled under Greening Waste concept, while the Green GDP help countries attain sustainable economic growth.

          2. Higher expectation on government's role in CSR

          The Map Ta Phut fiasco will require government agencies to be more discreet in doing their job. Policies must be formulated with emphasis in all dimensions - economic growth, society, environment and public health, while public participation would be increased. This is to ensure sustainable coexistence.

          3. Adjusting the CSR standpoint

          Thailand is facing several challenges" the new global economic order which affects the exports, growing social division, deteriorating environmental condition, and deteriorating health condition. All this is because of lack of social responsibility in the business world and inefficient law enforcement.

          With the stronger public voices, business can no longer move on without a change. Businesses need to review their role in promoting social responsibility, to restore public confidence.

          4. ISO26000

          Needs for social responsibility have been highlighted for some time, with few actions. The ISO 26000 certificate is being born. However, as it focuses on guidance standards, not certification, this does not convince the public that any company with the certificate is socially responsible.

          5. CSR as non-tariff trade barrier

          This year, businesses will need to review the pros and cons introduced by free trade agreements. From now on, more non-tariff trade measures (NTMs) would be introduced, to replace the disappearing tariffs. These measures are an open option to World Trade Organisation members, to mitigate impacts from trade on the health and safety of human lives, animals and plants. And they are relevant to CSR practices.

          6. Education on CSR

          After CSR is part of the graduate schools’ curriculum, it will become a curriculum of schools nationwide this year. Students will now be urged to write reports or initiate social projects or volunteer their supports for social benefits. Within 2012, this will cover 31,821 schools under the Office of Basic Education Commission.

         Hopefully, the six trends would be incorporated in business organisations’ CSR strategies.

 By Pipat Yodprutikarn