Social-responsibility are two words that are often heard but not always understood. What does social-responsibility mean and how do we define a socially-responsible group or individual?

According to the Oxford Handbook of Corporate Social Responsibility, social-responsibility is defined as an ethical theory or ideology that an organization or individual has to act to benefit society at large. Social-responsibility is fundamentally the sense of duty that individuals, companies, and institutions have to perform in order to maintain a balance between making money and caring for society and the environment.

The term social-responsibility is used by corporations globally to define their actions and justify the way business is done on both a local and international scale. The term glocal, which means buying local while thinking globally, has become common vocabulary for some.According to Mason Carpenter, researcher of corporate governance and author of “Principles of Management”, social-responsibility at the corporate level often means “superficial window-dressing” of basic business practices. While some corporations and enterprises fundamentally care about the communities they serve, many use the term to beautify their organization so as to place less of a focus on not so positive actions, such as contaminating the environment or displacing local residents.

Critics argue, however, that individual social-responsibility may play a greater role than corporate ideas about sustainability and the environment. Because social-responsibility may have moral implications, some find it to be a sense of calling, or vocation, to do good for others. Judy Wang, a 3rd year student at DePaul University, mentions it is important to give back to society. “It's important to be a socially-responsible person because (society) needs good people to make up for the bad stuff. Volunteering, donating clothing, anything you can do makes a world of difference to some.”

Individual socially-responsible actions may have an impact on society, but this doesn't mean that companies, enterprises, and corporations are free from giving back. While many argue that companies need more action and less talk, some believe a company's mission to do good is important in itself. Carlos Franco, a resident of Wicker Park and barista at a local coffee shop, stated that it's the thought that counts. A 26-year-old Chicago native, Franco approached caution while discussing the topic during his lunch break. “I know some businesses are all talk, very little action. But in reality, I think a company's philosophy to do more for its people is a good start...a guideline to follow.”

Whether it is individuals holding a food-drive or businesses implementing eco-friendly strategies, it is worth-noting that standards have been developed to better understand social-responsibility. The International Organization for Standardization (IOS), a global organization founded in 1947 that promotes commercial and industrial standards worldwide, created guidelines in 2010 for adopting and implementing social-responsibility. However, as of 2011 less than 67% of companies follow the IOS's guidelines.

“We need to believe that our businesses are doing more than just making a profit”, Franco mentioned as his break was ending. “If they aren't doing what they're supposed to, we'll just hold them accountable.”

by Jerry Arroyo
Los Angeles Correspondent

Manny Pacquiao anti-gay? That's what some believe according to the Associated Press in Los Angeles. This week, Pacquiao mentioned he loves and supports gays and lesbians, even though he does not approve of gay marriage.

The world champion boxer has been criticized ever since he was quoted in an interview on the examiner.com website saying he opposed President Barack Obama's support for gay marriage.

Pacquiao said Wednesday that he doesn't support gay marriage because of his strong, Roman Catholic beliefs. However, he said he has gay friends and relatives, and supports their rights.

"I'm not against the gay people," Pacquiao said. "I'm not condemning them. ... I have a cousin (who is) gay. I have relatives (who are) gay. I have a lot of friends (who are) gay, so I'm not condemning gays. What I said is I'm not in favor of same-sex marriage. That's the one thing I said to the guy."

Pacquiao was banned from a popular Hollywood shopping mall after the interview with the examiner.com was published and an online petition encouraging sponsor Nike to drop Pacquiao received 4,868 signatures before it was suspended Wednesday morning. The petition site, change.org, posted a note saying that the author of the original article had clarified that Pacquiao didn't cite the Bible passage.

Although Pacquiao is experiencing a zealous passion for his religion and has socially conservative views in line with many Filipinos' beliefs, he was eager to clear his name after heavy criticism over the belief that the eight-division world champion boxer was against gay rights and even supported the killing of gay people.

"It's in the Bible: Do not judge. I'm not judging," Pacquiao said.

Although he opposes same-sex marriage, Pacquiao declined to weigh in on civil unions, the internationally popular alternative, saying he didn't know enough about the concept to form an opinion.

"It's hard to give a correct answer to what's the right situation," he said.

"With great power comes great responsibility, so that's my responsibility, to handle everything," Pacquiao said. "This has happened before. You have to explain and understand. It's a lot more fun to train (for a fight)."

Pacquiao is the Philippines' most famous person and one of the world's most popular athletes. The eight-division world champion is a movie star, singer, pitchman and congressman, representing the Sarangani province in the Philippines' House of Representatives since May 2010.

Pacquiao has embraced Catholicism in recent months after marital trouble with his wife, Jinkee. Although he has always attended Mass before his fights, the boxer has taken up frequent Bible study.

Floyd Mayweather Jr., Pacquiao's only rival for pound-for-pound supremacy in boxing, made a public statement on Twitter in support of same-sex marriage.

"I stand behind President Obama & support gay marriage," Mayweather tweeted. "I'm an American citizen & I believe people should live their life the way they want."

Pacquiao is the fourth of six children born into stark poverty in the Philippines, and he has four children of his own with his wife. He has spoken out against birth control and pro-choice campaigns for women during his career, affirming his deep-rooted Roman Catholic faith.