CHAIRMANSheikh Thani bin Abdullah Al Thani

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFDr. Khalid Mubarak Al-Shafi

SPECIAL SUPPLEMENT THURSDAY 15 DECEMBER 2016

The weekly supplement issued byThe Peninsula to enhance the role of companies and institutions in

society development.

SPONSOR

Corporate Social Responsibility

ACTING MANAGING EDITORMohammed Salim Mohamed

SUPPLEMENT EDITORSAnilkumar Narayan

& Sachin Kumar

SUPPLEMENT COORDINATOR Babekir Osman

DESIGNAbraham Augusthy

PRODUCTIONViswanath Sarma

IMAGE PROCESSINGMohd Sajad Sahir

‘MBHH playing its part in Qatar’s development’Sachin Kumar The Peninsula

The vision of Mohamed Bin Hamad Holding (MBHH) Group is to be a leader in developing and fostering commer-

cially and socially-responsible business enterprises that serve the local community and reflect the commitment to the future of Qatar and its people both in the region and on the world stage.

The Group has the presence in hospitality, real estate, medi-cal, tourism, aviation, and petrochemical sector.

The Group's mission is to enhance and grow customer loy-alty for its brands by providing the highest-quality products and services, reflecting the core val-ues of honesty, transparency, and individual attention and working continuously to improve the busi-nesses which will reward employees, shareholders and the community at large. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin

Abdullah Al Thani, the Founder and Chairman of the Group, said MBHH has played its part in Qatar’s rapid development and continues to do so. It is Group’s mission to deliver useful, conven-ient and essential products and

services of the highest quality to the market place that stand out from others and contribute sub-stantially to the well-being of the country and its residents, both from an infrastructure and a socio-economic perspective.

By focusing on product and service offerings in the hospital-ity, real estate, medical, tourism, aviation, and petrochemical sec-tors, MBHH is committed to developing Qatar’s diverse and multi-faceted opportunities in

line with the government’s “Qatar Economic Vision 2030.

Qatar, in just a short span of a few decades commencing in the late 20th Century, has transformed from a small country into a modern nation, recognised as one of the world’s wealthiest and most progressive nations, due in large part to the discovery of sizeable natural gas deposits.

For four consecutive years during 2008-2012, Qatar was the world’s fastest growing economy with a real GDP compounded annual growth rate of 12 percent.

For those familiar with or having lived in Qatar, it is clear that the rapid modernisation and achievement of the country could not have been possible without the enlightened vision and commitment of its leadership.

From the earliest stages of its conception, Mohamed Bin Hamad Holding Group, has adopted this same approach in working to establish Qatar as one of the best places to live, work and do business – for its employees, citizens, residents and visitors alike.

Mohamed Bin Hamad Holding Group's mission is to enhance and grow customer loyalty for its brands by providing the highest-quality products and services, reflecting the core values of honesty, transparency, and individual attention. The Group is also working continuously to improve the businesses which will reward its employees, shareholders and the community at large.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani, Founder and Chairman of the Mohamed Bin Hamad Holding (MBHH) Group.

The Peninsula

A meeting of the commit-tee for award of social responsibility for com-

panies and institutions was held yesterday. Sheikh Thani bin Ali bin Saud Al Thani chaired the meeting. Abdul-latif Al Mahmoud (pictured), CEO, Dar Al Sharq Group, attended the meeting.

The meeting aimed at increasing the status of the prize in Qatar. Dar Al Sharq launched this prize in 2014. The prize has been given to dozens of the companies and institutions in the past three years. Last week, the third edition of the prize was organised during the fourth conference of social respon-sibilities for companies at St. Regis Doha Hotel.

Abdullatif Al Mahmoud said that the 4th edition of the prize will be announced dur-ing second half of next year so the winners could be selected and honoured during 5th con-ference in December next year. New categories will be added to the prize.

Abdullatif Al Mahmoud appreciated the efforts made by the committee led by

Sheikh Thani bin Ali bin Saud Al Thani and its members and experts.

New categories to be added in CSR award

Corporate Social Responsibility IITHURSDAY 15 DECEMBER 2016

MBHH Group shouldering responsibility towards Qatar National Vision 2030 Sanaullah Ataullah The Peninsula

Mohamed Bin Hamad Hold-ing (MBHH) Group has come a long way since its inception and has become a reputed name in Qatar

and across the region. The Group is a holding company for

several companies working in different sectors. The company was established by Founder and Chairman Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani 30 years ago.

It is a leading Qatar family company based on the principle to govern family companies. The Board of the Directors of the Company was set up under the Chairmanship of Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani. Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani was appointed as Vice-Chairman.

The group has been developing its business for 30 years and made remark-able achievement in several sectors including investment, real estate devel-opment, property management, hospitality, tour and travel, medical services, medicines and petrochemicals. The company has also invested in real estate in the US, European countries and the Middle East.

As a leading commercial company in Qatar, MBHH group is shouldering its responsibility towards Qatar National Vision 2030 by contributing for the development and prosperity of the country.

The Group focused on doing all type of businesses in Qatar. It has a long his-tory stretching to more than 30 years of achievements indicating towards future vision to be implemented in Qatar by working and keeping pace with the requirements of local markets and activ-ities of the country and its people as well.

Below is the snapshot of the com-panies under the Group.

Doha Clinic Hospital (DCH)Established as a polyclinic in 1994,

DCH was expanded and completely ren-ovated in 2001 to meet the growing demand for full-service, in-patient care.

DCH currently provides the follow-ing medical specialisations: Anaesthesiology, Cardiology, Dentistry, Dermatology and Venereology, ENT, General Medicine, General and Lapar-oscopy Surgery, Internal Medicine, Physiotherapy, Obstetrics and Gynae-cology, Ophthalmology, Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Paediatrics, Radiol-ogy, Urology, ICU and NICU. There is also a fully equipped Dialysis Centre and a Laboratory.

Crowne Plaza Doha The Business Park is part of the

growing Intercontinental Hotels Group in Doha. This 5-star hotel features 378 modern, luxurious hotel rooms and suites, 96 serviced-apartment resi-dences and has an enviable reputation for its exceptional dining offerings along with seamless service. Crowne Plaza Doha – The Business Park is the area's most preferred hotel for both business and leisure travellers offering an inter-national standard of comfort, service and amenities.

The property is located in the heart of one of Doha’s key business districts,

convenient to major banks and profes-sional firms. The Crowne Plaza Doha is only a 15-minute drive by car or com-plimentary shuttle from Doha's Hamad International Airport.

Holiday Inn Doha This is the first Holiday Inn brand in

Qatar to open its doors in the third quar-ter of 2016. The Hotel will feature 307 guest rooms along with top-drawer services for economy-minded guests and visitors. Being situated in the Busi-ness Park along with its sister hotel, the Crowne Plaza, guests will be offered two choices for accommodation in the same convenient location, only 2km from Hamad International Airport.

In addition to its guest rooms, the Holiday Inn Doha will offer business meeting rooms, a 1,200 square metres Ballroom, fitness centre, swimming pool and spa. The hotel will have several food and beverage offerings, including a sports bar and all-day dining facilities.

In recent years, Qatar has witnessed a flourish of growth and prosperity in different business sectors supported by the wealth of its natural resources that has placed the country amongst the world’s wealthiest nations in terms of GDP per capita.

Qatar is ambitiously diversifying its resources by granting attractive incen-tives to investments in non-oil sectors such as finance, real estate, trade and tourism.

To manage this significant progress,

The Business Park was developed a multi-use commercial project backed with a panoply of state-of-the-art facil-ities and modern amenities, making it the commercial hub of choice not only in Qatar, but in the whole region.

With its contemporary architecture and design, this unique complex encom-passes a vast array of business and hospitality services, specifically designed to meet the meticulous demands and requirements of businessmen and com-panies looking for a place to conduct, enhance, and grow their businesses.

Ibn Alhaitham PharmaciesThe pharmacy is open 24-hours

daily and is stocked with a full range of pharmaceutical drugs and bio-medical products, stored and supplied strictly based and in accordance with the guide-lines and certification of Supreme Council of Health.

One of the nation’s leading Phar-macy services providers, it has provided pharmacy services throughout the healthcare system to deliver highest care and service quality level, our services include prescription services, bio-med-ical, beauty ,personal care and, health and fitness products.

Trans Orient Travel A full service travel-management

company offering inbound and out-bound package tours to any country of choice, pilgrimage trips, educational tours, medical tours, visa arrangements,

hotel accommodations, flats, cars and seat-in-couch rentals.

Trans Orient Travel is also a Gen-eral Sales Agent (GSA) in Qatar for several airlines, including Egypt Air, Cathay Pacific Airways, Turkish Airlines, Syrian Air, Yemen Airways and off-line airlines such as Tarom Romanian air Transport, Aeroflot-Russian airlines and Royal Air Maroc.

Trans Orient Air Services Cargo offers global cargo service, air and sea cargo handling, door-to-door cargo services, local storage facilities, pack-ing and transportation.

West Bay Petroleum Company It was incorporated in 1985 in Qatar

and provides technical support services to oil and gas fields and refineries, as well as supplying to major oil compa-nies, all needed chemicals, industrial and marine lubricating oils, and special pro-tective coating products.

The company is the exclusive agent and distributor of several international companies, such as BP Lubricants, Baker Hughes, PPG, etc.

The company has undergone con-stant progress in all spheres of the petroleum business and has ambitious expansion plans both within Qatar and overseas.

Lubricants Division is the sole and exclusive distributor of BP (British Petro-leum) industrial, marine, speciality and automotive lubricants and greases. Chemicals division is the sole and exclu-sive agent of Baker Hughes.

Fuel division through its West Bay Petrol Station is supplying various types of fuels to the citizens of Qatar. Some customers includes Qafco, Maersk Oil Drilling, etc.

Al Borg LaboratoriesAl Borg Laboratories founded its first

single lab in the heart of the Western Province of Saudi Arabia; Jeddah. Now, Al Borg Medical Laboratories has

become the largest chain of private lab-oratories in the MENA region with 28 labs in Saudi Arabia, 4 labs in United Arab Emirates, two labs in Qatar, one lab in Bahrain, one lab in Kuwait, one lab in Oman and one lab in Ethiopia.

The company is not limited to serv-ing walk-in clients but also has a large network of customers, including com-mercial and medical governmental hospitals, clinics, insurance, banks, air-lines, dialysis centres and other pharmaceutical companies.

With 15 years of experience serving the needs of citizens and residents of Gulf countries, it offers a broad range of routine, specialised and sup-specialised laboratory tests.

For individuals, referred patients and walk-in patients, it provides well-ness and screening tests tailored to fit all age groups and genders diversity, to construct a healthier, more fulfilling life and give them the ability to plan ahead and make life-style changes that reflect positively on their health.

For companies and insurance, it pro-vides biometric wellness screenings and unique services to empower measura-ble health improvement, improved productivity and lower healthcare costs for employees.

It offers a range of flexible offerings to health care institutions that help improve the quality of their laboratory services, expand the testing menu, reduce their turn-around time and reduce their overall running costs. Based on the specific needs and requirements of a client, Al Borg Medical Laboratories can provide a tailored out-sourcing model that best suits the needs a client.

ICON The International Center for Ortho-

paedics and Neurosciences (ICON) is the first and unique specialised centre for Orthopaedics and Neurosciences in Qatar with an integral approach to healthcare in one quality stop. It is a spe-cialised medical centre in the fields of General Medicine, Orthopaedics, Neu-rology, Neurosurgery, Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation, as well as, Sports Medicine. It offers diagnoses, treatment and rehabilitation supported by the most sophisticated environmental-friendly equipment, compliant with the latest international quality standards, safety measures and energy conservation.

As an integrated medical provider, we pay keen attention to the diagnosis phase. The radiology department is equipped with the state-of-the-art, envi-ronmental-friendly X-ray and MRI machines. The modern in-house labo-ratory offers a full diagnosis investigation with quality controlled lab-oratory results.

The investments, aside from top notch technology and machines, are pri-marily focused in human resources through a diverse group of the best spe-cialists and consultants in the field. The professional team of consultants spe-cialises in treating various injuries and neurological disorders, musculoskele-tal system, that affect both children and adults alike.

ICON is not only a unique medical centre, it is a message of hope to the thousands of patients in the region who suffer from any kind of musculoskele-tal and neurological disorders.

Mohamed Bin Hamad Holding Group Founder and Chairman Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad bin Abdullah Al Thani (centre) with Vice-Chairman Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Hamad Al Thani and Managing Director Fathi Ibrahim Aburish.

The group has been developing its business for 30 years and made remarkable achievement in several sectors including investment, real estate development, property management, hospitality, tour and travel, medical services, medicines and petrochemicals. The company has also invested in real estate in the US, European countries and the Middle East.

Corporate Social Responsibility IIITHURSDAY 15 DECEMBER 2016

Quantum wins QBBF CSR awardThe Peninsula

Quantum Global Solu-tions (Quantum) was awarded the 2016 QBBF Work in the Community Award on

November 30 by the British Ambassador to Qatar, Ajay Sharma, and QBBF Chairman, Emad Turkman MBE, at the sec-ond Qatar British Businessmen Forum (QBBF) Annual Awards dinner.

Following receipt of the award, Peter Murphy, Managing Director, stated: “As a Qatari/British company we are extremely proud and honoured to receive the QBBF 2016 Work in the Community Award. At Quantum, we strongly believe in the value of family including our employees, their families and the wider community. Our ‘Donate a Day’ initiative’ enables our employees and their families to voluntarily donate a day of their time to non-profit organisations such as Maktaba Children’s Library. We are very fortunate

to be living and working in Qatar and we believe that this gives something back to our Qatari community and helps to build a culture of volunteering within Quantum. We are proud of our Partnership with Maktaba and our ‘Donate a Day’ programme has currently contributed over 200 work days in the community.”

Sarah Champa Al Dafa, Founder of Maktaba Children’s Library, also stated: “Working with Quantum has expanded our understanding on how we can work with businesses large and small to find creative, innovative solutions to our needs. It is the good will and entrepreneurial spirit of these good corporate cit-izens that allows us to continue to improve the services we pro-vide to the community. We are very proud to be partners in the QBBF Work in the Community Award.”

Quantum’s Q’munity CSR programme is based on a three-phase approach: hands-on volunteering such as our ‘Donate

a Day’ initiative, financial sup-port and communications support.

This approach ensures that

immediate benefits are gained through financial support, hands-on volunteering harnesses a large number of people with

multiple skills and experience to achieve goals, and communica-tion support promotes the work of the charity to encourage

further community support and ultimately ensure self-sufficiency for the organisation in the long-term.

The event, sponsored by Emirates Airline, saw over 180 members and guests attend the event at the Oryx Rotana in Doha to reward business excellence and Qatari partnering in the Brit-ish Community.

The 2016 awards were awarded to QBBF Business Woman of the Year – Dr Sarah Aalders, the British International Dental Practice & Dr Sarah’s Dental Practice; QBBF Business Man of the Year – Stefan Lind-berg-Jones, Ginger Camel; QBBF Organisation of the Year – Turner and Townsend; QBBF Start up Business of the Year – Royal Guildford Grammar School – Qatar; QBBF Work in the Com-munity – Quantum Global Solutions; Sabri Thawabi Special Recognition Award – Gordon MacKenzie, Radisson Blu; QBBF Lifetime Achievement Award – Hilary Bainbridge, Editor at Marhaba Information Guide.

Deloitte recently commemorated its 14th annual Impact Day, the organisation’s year-round commitment to community

investment in India. Impact Day is a dedicated day for Deloitte professionals to offer skills-based volunteering to not-for-profit organisations, sharing knowledge and exper-tise to create meaningful impact in the community.

Adopting a multi-pronged cradle-to-col-lege approach, Deloitte is focused on addressing education and employability concerns from the grassroots up, in India. Alarming statistics and data illustrates how the low quality of edu-cation, high dropout rates and lack of employable skills currently impede the rate of advancement in the area of education in India. The organisation’s innovative 360 degree approach includes empowering new mothers with knowledge of new-born care, supporting pre-school children and their families, ensur-ing children stay in school through remedial classes and bridge schools or anganwadis, help-ing them graduate successfully, and finally preparing young adults for their transition into the workforce.

“Impact Day is a visible means through which Deloitte demonstrates its contribution to the society. Community is our business and over the past 14 years in India, the organisa-tion has been investing in the society through several projects, primarily in the area of edu-cation and skill building, healthcare and

sanitation, environment sustainability, and empowerment. We believe that every organ-isation has the social responsibility to give back to the society, what it takes. Impact Day is Deloitte’s way to volunteer the time and exper-tise of its professional, towards the socio-economic development of India,” said SV Nathan, Partner and Chief Talent Officer, Deloitte India.

This year in Mumbai, Deloitte is also col-laborating with the International Justice Mission. It has established counselling rooms and is providing vocational skills training for the rehabilitation of human trafficking survi-vors. The organisation has teamed up with Teach for India and contributing at 12 sites in the areas of education and awareness for chil-dren from the lower strata of society.

“Our legacy is defined by what we do for our communities, which have given us so much over the years. This is why we proactively seek out projects where we invest our industry knowledge and professional expertise to address strategic, operational and financial challenges. This helps us shape the future for these communities and truly make an impact that matters,” said Bruce Stewart, Principal, Deloitte LLP.

Deloitte professionals across the country are participating in 175 different projects focus-ing on education and skill building, healthcare and sanitation, environmental sustainability and empowerment.

Deloitte commemorates annual Impact Day

AccessAbilities Expo aims to empower people with disabilities On the occasion of the

United Nations Interna-tional Day of Persons

with Disabilities, which was commemorated on December 3, AccessAbilities Expo reiter-ated its commitment to contributing to the UAE’s vision of becoming the world’s most disabled-friendly nation and empowering the disabled.

The UAE is a member of the Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities, one of the most quickly and widely ratified international treaties by the United Nations. Observance of the 2016 IDPD coincided with the 10-year anniversary of the adoption of the CRPD.

AccessAbilities Expo 2017, to be held from November 7 to 9, 2017, at the Dubai Interna-tional Convention and Exhibition Centre, will support the efforts of government and private organisations toward enhancing the lives of over 50 million persons with disabilities in the Middle East and facilitat-ing inclusion.

The Expo, the largest dedi-cated event for disabilities in the Middle East, is being organised by Reed Exhibitions and Nadd AlShiba PR and Event Management.

In 2017, the expo expects over 15 percent growth and will have a wider range of interac-tive activities focused on inclusion and empowerment.

Daniyal Qureshi, Group Exhibition Director, Reed Exhi-bitions, said: “AccessAbilities Expo aims to empower people with disabilities by giving them a chance to meet experts from all over the world and explore the world’s latest technologies and services available to assist them. Our selection of partici-pants, discussions and all the activities are in line with the main focus of the expo, which

is to encourage inclusion and empowering communities. We are proud that the event con-tributes to the UAE’s journey towards becoming the world’s friendliest place for the disabled and extremely grateful to all the organisations and government agencies working with us.”

AccessAbilities Expo gives an opportunity to over 750 mil-lion individuals with disabilities worldwide, 50 million of whom are in the Middle East, their fam-ilies, caretakers, and those associated in providing services for them, to view the latest solu-tions, innovations, smart services and ideas.

The expo will bring the world’s latest robotic and assis-tive technologies from across the globe, which can assist

individuals with disabilities live more independently. The Expo will also bring international experts to host interactive ses-sions about real life experiences, inclusion in schools and the workplace, disability rights, improving infrastructure, med-ical advances and much more.

The inaugural expo, which was held from February 9 to 11 this year, was remarkably suc-cessful with more than 6,000 people, including individuals with disabilities, their families, educationists, experts from dif-ferent sectors such as healthcare, technology and infrastructure attending the exhibition and over 150 exhib-itors from 41 countries showcasing the latest products and services at the event.

AccessAbilities Expo 2017, to be held from November 7 to 9, 2017, at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, will support the efforts of government and private organisations toward enhancing the lives of over 50 million persons with disabilities in the Middle East and facilitating inclusion.

ATDD & Group 32 to promote community workThe Ajman Tourism Develop-

ment Department (ATDD) has signed a Memorandum of

Understanding, (MoU), with Group 32 Company, to develop and pro-mote community and humanitarian activities in the Emirate. Under the MoU, both parties will engage in activities that will strengthen national identity through volunteer

and community work. Faisal Al Nuaimi, General Manager of ATDD, and Rashid Hajji Nasser, CEO and founder of Group 32, signed the MoU. Both parties agreed on impor-tant key points aimed at strengthening the level of partner-ship and enhancing mutual benefits. "Signing this MoU will strengthen relationships, collaboration and

coordination between Ajman tour-ism department and institutions specialised in the field of commu-nity work for achieving a mutual goal, which is to promote our national identity and enhance vol-unteer work. The department continues to integrate cooperation efforts and partnership with organ-isations operating in Ajman to

ensure the utmost benefit and translate this to Ajman Vision 2021. Thus, we are confident that more corporate social responsibility activities will be undertaken this year and next," Al Nuaimi, said.

The MoU aims at the implemen-tation of strategic plans to achieve major objectives including volun-teer and community work.

Corporate Social ResponsibilitySPECIAL SUPPLEMENT THURSDAY 15 DECEMBER 2016

Karen Mass who is Scientific Director, Executive CSR Courses, Erasmus School of Accounting & Assurance, Erasmus University Rotterdam, The Netherlands, expressed her views about Corporate Social Respon-sibility with The Peninsula.

She believes that companies should not only do some add-on philanthropic things, but should change their strategies and busi-ness models and really build the CSR approach into their management accounting and control systems.

Mass is also member of the advisory board of “De GroeneZaak” and is a member of the board of the Erasmus Education Fund.

The Erasmus School of Economics (ESE) of the Erasmus Uni-versity Rotterdam, The Netherlands, is a leading academic institution in the world. It has a long-standing tradition of high-quality edu-cation and research. The best of its graduates have made outstanding contributions to science, government and business. The ESE enjoys great acclaim in the Netherlands and abroad for its fundamental and applied scientific research.

Its two graduate schools, the Erasmus Research School of Man-agement (ERIM) and the Tinbergen Institute (TI), are among the very best research institutes and graduate schools in the world. The Erasmus School of Economics strategically has a clear focus on economics. It is the only school in the Netherlands which explic-itly educates business economics. All faculty members are involved in both research and teaching. This allows the ESE to thrive. Just as they were 100 years ago, the economists are the pounding heart of Erasmus University Rotterdam. Its post-experience and execu-tive programmes offer professionals the opportunity to broaden their knowledge. Since 2007, the Erasmus School of Accounting & Assurance (ESAA) offers an executive course on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The courses CSR Management and CSR Reporting and Assur-ance focus on theory and practice. In 2011, an international Corporate Social Responsibility Autumn School with a five-day programme was organised by ESAA and CSR Expert. Due to the success of this event, the program will be offered again from Octo-ber 29 – November 2, 2012. Karen Maas (1970) finished her studies with a Master of Science in Economics at the Erasmus University in 1995. After graduation, she worked for 12 years as a (senior) con-sultant and project leader in the field of environmental economics, sustainability and CSR.

Since September 2007 she works at the Erasmus School of Eco-nomics and in 2009 she defended her PhD research on “Social Impact Measurement.” She is involved at the Erasmus Centre for Strategic Philanthropy (ECSP) and conducts research in the field of impact measurement, CSR and Strategic Philanthropy.

How would you define corporate social responsibility (CSR)?CSR expresses a situation in which firms not only strive for eco-

nomic gains, but in which they adopt a broader view and take responsibility for their impact on society (Carroll, 1991).

Impact on society captures the total impact which includes the economic, environmental and social dimension. To be able to opti-mise positive impact and reduce negative impact, they have to use a long-term horizon perspective and involve stakeholders into their strategy development. In short CSR means: steering on 3Ps (people, planet and profit); involving stakeholders; and using a long-term horizon.

What is the antithesis or opposite of CSR?

Solely focusing on direct and short-term financial profit.

What is the difference between CSR and sustainability?Sustainability is more the overall picture (here and there, now

and future a la Brundtland for how we have to change the world to survive as human beings. CSR is the contribution companies can give.

Does CSR require a paradigm shift?Absolutely! Companies should not only do some add-on phil-

anthropic things, but should change their strategies and business models and really build the CSR approach into their management accounting and control systems. What we see now is that busi-nesses have beautiful ambition related to CSR; the question however, remains how they are going to fulfil these ambitions.

What is the business case for CSR? Is it the same in devel-oped economies as in emerging markets? Would you please describe a specific environmental, social or governance issue from a business case for CSR perspective, comparing and con-trasting the business case for CSR perspective of the specific issue in a developed economy and in an emerging market.

The business case for CSR can be found in all kind of indica-tors which do lead (in)directly to a stronger financial performance of the firm. Issues that are often discussed in academia as well as in practice are, for example: access to finance, employee reten-tion, employee satisfaction, new markets, new products and stakeholder satisfaction. While CSR implicates that firms take meas-urements that go above legal requirements, the specific issues differ for developed economies and for emerging markets. In emerg-ing markets, issues like child labour and working conditions can be hard to address. The circumstances are so different in different countries – what is legally required in one country is high above standard in another country.

An example of the business case for CSR is the rising trend of firms developing strategies targeting the so-called bottom-of-the-pyramid. These firms distinguish themselves in that they seek to create new markets involving customers, employees, suppliers, and/or distributors at the bottom of the pyramid, which have an average daily purchasing power of $2 or less (Prahalad, 2005). It is argued that these initiatives can lead to profitable businesses and economic development for people living at the bottom-of-the pyramid as well as the multinational companies that serve them. An example is the production of affordable life-saving medicines for Africans.

Person of the week

CSR expresses a situation in which firms not only strive for economic gains, but in which they adopt a broader view and take responsibility for their impact on society. Impact on society captures the total impact which includes the economic, environmental and social dimension. In short CSR means: steering on 3Ps (people, planet and profit); involving stakeholders; and using a long-term horizon.

‘Companies should build CSR approach in control systems’

Karen Maas

Qatar University holds legal clinics conferenceThe Peninsula

A legal clinics conference in Arab World was held recently in Qatar University. About 12 heads of the legal clinic from Arab World

attended the conference. It was organised by Law College of Qatar University that established first legal clinic in the varsity on GCC level.

The legal clinic aims at supporting weaker sec-tions of the community to provide them justice through legal qualification and providing volun-teer lawyers to file cases on behalf of the victims.

Dr Mohamed Mattar (pictured), Clinical Pro-fessor of Law is leading the Law Clinic of Qatar University. About 60 students from College of Law are connected with law clinic. The law clinic MOU from Qatari law firms to fight the cases of poor people free of cost

Karen Mass believes that companies should not only do some add-on philanthropic things, but should change their strategies and business models and really build the CSR approach into their management accounting and control systems.

Dar Al Sharq can take business community to new heights The Peninsula

With holding 4th social responsibility confer-ence for companies, it

could be said that Dar Al Sharq can take business community to new heights of work in a very professional manner.

Shouldering social respon-sibility and disclosing the performances of companies and institutions in this regards and the award launched by Dar Al Sharq for honouring the win-ning companies are worth value for the social responsibility. It is a key effort to connect the pri-vate sector with development.

It means that private sector could lead the development process with abiding by the norms of moralities, wise and acceptable manner.

Sultan Khater, member of the board of the directors of the fund for supporting social and sport activities, addressed the conference as a main sponsor of the conference and white-book. This fund is a government initiative aims at sending mes-sage to business community for all sectors that the country is very serious about the issue of social responsibility and contri-bution of private sector to support social, sport and cultural

projects. It was very clear in the speech of Al Khater. He appre-ciated the project of white-book for social responsibility reports because disclosing the reports of the companies in this regard is very important.

The most interesting thing of this conference is diversifi-cation in the projects being implemented by the companies contributing like sponsoring or participating. All companies are doing their businesses whether they are small or giant. The sam-ples of the reports that published in the Book expresses the extent of the professionalism report writing.