A company’s relationship with its community is an important aspect of socially responsible behavior.

The relationship between companies and their local communities has the power to transform the landscape of our country. Does a  company become an integrated part of the local economy, purchasing  supplies from local vendors, hiring local workers? Are profits reinvested in the community infrastructure? Are  employees encouraged to volunteer locally or otherwise fill important community service roles?

The most extreme example of the problems that can be created is Wal-Mart, a company which gets most of what it needs from China. If Wal-Mart was a country, it would be China’s 8th largest trading partner.

Many of these issues are interrelated. Buying locally helps the environment by cutting down on the cost of transporting supplies. Paying workers a decent salary allows them to support local community businesses. When employees volunteer in the community, it is often a byproduct of having enough leisure time. This natural process develops a culture of corporate philanthropy that has a trickle-down effect.

We must partner with companies that are responsible corporate citizens. We value companies that contribute to enhancing our quality of life. The activities we examine include corporate philanthropy and employee volunteerism.