“the overview and the breakthrough corporate social responsibility (csr).pdf

8/9/2019 THE OVERVIEW AND THE BREAKTHROUGH CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR).pdf

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INTERNSHIP REPORT ON

THE OVERVIEW AND THE BREAKTHROUGH CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR)

PROJECTS OF GRAMEENPHONE LTD.

Md. Al Amin

BBA Program, 2010 (13th

Batch)

Roll no: 152

Supervisor:

Md. Mesbah Uddin

Department of Management StudiesFaculty of Business Studies

University of Dhaka

Month of Submission: October, 2011


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The overview and the breakthrough CSR projects of Grameenphone Ltd. | Report Title Page ii

Report Title Page

CSR IS ONE OF THE BUSINESS STRATEGIES THAT HELP COMPANY TO CREATE

COMPETITIVE BUSINESS ADVANTAGE: A CASE STUDY ON THE OVERVIEW

AND THE BREAKTHROUGH CSR PROJECTS OF GRAMEENPHONE LTD.


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The overview and the breakthrough CSR projects of Grameenphone Ltd. | Letter of Transmittal iii

Letter of Transmittal

October 10, 2011

Md. Mesbah Uddin

Lecturer,

Department of Management Studies,

Faculty of Business Studies, University of Dhaka

Subject: Regarding submission of internship report

Dear Sir,

I am glad to submit my Internship Report on The overview and the breakthrough CSR projects of

Grameenphone Ltd for the Internship Program (BBA), herewith. I tried to comprehend all the areas

related to this report and this has certainly enhanced my knowledge considering a practical orientation.

I considered your remarks and instructions very carefully while preparing this report. I tried my level

best to follow your schedule, format and discipline.

I will be pleased to provide further clarification regarding this report whenever necessary. Your

acceptance and appreciation would surely inspire me.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely Yours,

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

Md. Al Amin

BBA 13th

Batch, Roll no: 152

Department of Management Studies, Faculty of Business Studies


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The overview and the breakthrough CSR projects of Grameenphone Ltd. | Letter of Endorsement by the

Supervisoriv

Letter of Endorsement by the Supervisor


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The overview and the breakthrough CSR projects of Grameenphone Ltd. | Acknowledgement v

Acknowledgement

I am extremely thankful to my faculty supervisor Md. Mesbah Uddin for assigning me such a perfect

Internship topic to work and practice in real. All throughout the preparation of the report he has been

very supportive.

I would like thank Mr. Samsul Alam, my organization supervisor in Grameenphone Ltd. for guiding me all

the way till the end. He also performed as a source of gathering data and information of the company

relating to the topic.

I also like to give special thanks to the persons whose ideas, views and supports have co-operated me.

And also grateful to the persons whose books, working papers, journals and related materials gave me

knowledge and support to prepare this report.


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The overview and the breakthrough CSR projects of Grameenphone Ltd. | Executive Summary vi

Executive Summary

The corporate social responsibility of business organizations is receiving augmented attention in modern

ages, and a strong awareness has developed among the business leaders worldwide and that

organizations need to be managed in a socially responsible and environmentally responsive way for

economic viability and long term sustainability. Presently CSR (corporate social responsibility) is believed

to be the best business needs of corporate house in respect to sustainability; societal responsibility that

helps to achieve greater business potentiality strategically and never incur liability rather complements

business achievements

Therefore, the corporate social responsibility of businesses has become an important part of todays

business agenda. The report aims at scrutinizing CSR as one of the business strategies that help company

to create competitive business advantage: a case study on the overview and the breakthrough CSR

projects of Grameenphone Ltd.

Grameenphone Ltd., the largest telecommunications service provider in Bangladesh, it is a joint venture

enterprise between Telenor (55.8%) and Grameen Telecom Corporation (34.2%). The other 10% shares

belong to general retail and institutional investors. Being a 21st

century business company it can be

concluded GP believe that sustainable development can only be achieved through long term economic

growth and therefore, intended to deliver the best to the customers, business partners, stakeholders,

employees and society by being apartner in development.

The CSR vision & goals of Grameenphone are to be recognized as the most socially responsible mobile

operator in Bangladesh & in the corporate sector and to create shared value for Grameenphone and

society through its mobile technology Integrate responsible business practices in all operations by

maximizing the enabling effect of mobile telecommunication, minimizing its carbon footprint, promoting

safer products and services respectively.

CSR initiatives of Grameenphone primarily based on three main focus areas are- environment,

education, and healthcare and the company is advancing with consistent activities in those areas. The

key elements of response of Grameenphone to stakeholders are- people, business, environment,

product, and social investment. Eventually the perception of the stakeholders is positive to

Grameenphone Ltd. regarding the responsiveness to environment, development, and society.


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The overview and the breakthrough CSR projects of Grameenphone Ltd. | Executive Summary vii

The report shows overall CSR practices and substantially active initiatives of Grameenphone involving

those areas. In case of environment- Grameenphone Climate Change Program aims to reduce carbon

emission, become environment friendly and create a momentum with the community and people.

Green Business Offerings, Emission Control, Awareness & Adaptation, and Green Company are the 4

streams of GP Climate Change. NANO project- save environment save OPEX, to deal with this energy

crisis, Grameenphone has been taking different initiatives to use less energy to operate network that is

to gain efficiency, save operational expenses and improving overall profitability. For education Grameen

Shikhkha, and Alokdeep- Non-Formal Primary School cum Cyclone Shelter,are mentionable.

In case of healthcare and safety Safe Motherhood & Infant Care Project - A total of 1.7 million

economically disadvantaged mothers and infants received free healthcare service so far, and Free eye

caresupport for around 28,780 people - 3,458 eye sights restored so far are remarkable.

In case of community development and empowerment- Community Information Centers (CICs) is one of

them more than 500 Community Information Centers- connecting life and learning. Grameenphone has

made a great contribution to empowering the poor and developing Community. For instance: the Village

Phone Program has played extremely important role in enhancing social and economic development.

The Village Phone initiative has made tremendous social and economic impact in the rural areas of

Bangladesh, through which Grameenphone provides its services to the fast growing rural customers

economic freedom for more than 400,000 Village Phone Operators.

Along with those successful initiatives- information boats, sponsor of Bangladesh Special Olympics team,

rehabilitation of acid victims & employment opportunity to acid survivors, scholarship and donation for

underprivileged meritorious students, skill development program, cancer management for the poor,

supporting e-heath, blood donation camps for underprivileged thalassemia patients are also generous

initiatives. Mostly the poor, underprivileged people are benefitted from the projects.


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The overview and the breakthrough CSR projects of Grameenphone Ltd. | Table of Contents viii

Table of Contents

Report Title Page--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ii

Letter of Transmittal ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- iii

Letter of Endorsement by the Supervisor ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ iv

Acknowledgement -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- v

Executive Summary ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- vi

Table of Contents ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ viii

1. Chapter One: Introduction of the Report----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11

1.1 The background of the report ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11

1.2 Scope of the report --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11

1.3 Objective of the report ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11

Broad Objectives ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11

Specific Objectives ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12

1.4 Methodology of the study ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12

1.5 Organization of the report ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12

1.6 Limitation of the report --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 12

2. Chapter Two: Description of the Organization --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13

2.1 About Grameenphone Ltd ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13

2.2 The Shareholders ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 13

Telenor Mobile Communication AS (TMC) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14Grameen Telecom (GTC) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14

2.3 The Grameenphone Vision, Mission & Values ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15

Vision ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15

Mission -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15

Values --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15


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The overview and the breakthrough CSR projects of Grameenphone Ltd. | Table of Contents ix

I. Make it easy -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15

II. Keep promises ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15

III. Be respectful ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15

IV. Be inspiring --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15

2.4 Corporate Information ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16

Board of Directors ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16

Organogram & Management --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18

Management Team ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18

Board Committees ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18

3. Chapter Three: Literature Review- Corporate Social Responsibility------------------------------------------------------ 19

4. Chapter Four: An Overview of CSR of Grameenphone Ltd. ----------------------------------------------------------------- 22

4.1 CSR vision & goals ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22

Vision ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22

Goals ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 22

4.2 The key elements of response of Grameenphone to stakeholders -------------------------------------------------- 23

4.3 CR Initiatives ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23

Some Key CR initiatives of Grameenphone --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 23

4.4 GP Corporate responsibility initiatives focus on creating shared value through --------------------------------- 24

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 24

4.5 CR initiatives of Grameenphone based on THREE main focus areas are ------------------------------------------- 24

Environment ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 25

I. Grameenphone Climate Change Program ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 25

Health --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26

I. Safe Motherhood and Infant Care Project ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26

II. Free Eye Care Camps --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26

Education ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 26

I. Grameen Shikhkha ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 26

II. Alokdeep, Non-Formal Primary School cum Cyclone Shelter ----------------------------------------------------- 26

Other Initiatives -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27

I. Sponsoring Special Olympics Bangladesh ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 27

II. Emergency Relief Works ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27

III. Supporting E-heath ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 27


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The overview and the breakthrough CSR projects of Grameenphone Ltd. | Table of Contents x

IV. Ahsania Mission Cancer & General Hospital --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 28

5. Chapter Five: Breakthrough CSR Projects of Grameenphone Ltd --------------------------------------------------------- 29

5.1 Strategy in Action-the break through projects ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29

5.2 Village Phone- every freedom counts---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 29

Launch Date ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 30

How it works ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 30

Projects Milestones ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 30

5.3 Community Information Center- Every opportunity counts ----------------------------------------------------------- 31

Launch date -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 31

This initiative by GP is in line with the company's objective to serve local community needs by ------------------ 31

CIC Model- How it works --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 32


Services in CIC ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 32

Strategic partners ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 33

5.4 Cell Bazaar- Every Enterprise Counts ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 33

Launch Date ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 34

How it works ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 34

Projects Milestone ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 34

5.5 The NANO project- Save Energy Save OPEX ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 34

5.6 SAFE MOTHERHOOD AND INFANT CARE PROJECT- EVERY LIFE COUNTS ------------------------------------------ 36

Launch Date ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 36

How it works ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 36


Findings -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 37

Conclusion ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 39

References ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 40

Appendix ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 41


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1.Chapter One: Introduction of the Report

Organizational attachment is an obligatory requirement of the completion of BBA program, Department

of Management Studies, University of Dhaka. And accordingly within the internship period at

commercial division, Grameenphone Ltd, I find the report work area Corporate Social Responsibility

(CSR) under the recommendation and close supervision of my internship supervisor Md. Mesbah Uddin,

Lecturer, Department of Management Studies, Faculty of Business studies, University of Dhaka. The

intern supervisor helped me to find and work on the topic: CSR is one of thebusiness strategies that

help company create competitive business advantage: a case study on the overview and thebreakthrough CSR projects of Grameenphone Ltd.

The study will demonstration how CSR helps the company create competitive corporate image and

accomplish greater business opportunities, its a scenario of Grameenphone Ltd, the largest

telecommunications service provider in Bangladesh, the report will mainly focus on the overall focus

areas, the key corporate responsibility and social initiatives taken by Grameenphone Ltd., the milestone

initiatives, and breakthrough projects taken by this company. How the project initiatives are justified is

available in the report. This report will also address CSR as the best business needs of corporate house in

respect to sustainability; societal responsibility that helps to achieve greater business potentiality

strategically and never incur liability rather complements achievements.

Broad Objectives

To know the overall activities, focus areas (i.e. environment, education, development, & health),

the key corporate responsibility, & social initiatives of Grameenphone Ltd.

To know the strategic facets of communicating CSR and how initiatives help organization to

create competitive corporate advantage.


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The overview and the breakthrough CSR projects of Grameenphone Ltd. | Chapter One: Introduction of the Report 12

Specific Objectives

The overview and the breakthrough CSR projects accomplished by Grameenphone Ltd.

Initiatives enabling empowerment, employment, socio-economic & community development

To know CSR as a triumph integrated with business objective: sustainable & responsible

practices of business help organization to go beyond the orthodox operational and pecuniary

achievement.

The study was mainly done through considering information of secondary sources. The secondary data

was collected mainly from website of the company, CSR reports, annual reports, national dailies, books,

published articles and journals collected from various sources.

The main body of the report involved with the company brief introduction, the literature review of

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), the overview of CSR of Grameenphone Ltd, the milestone

initiatives and the breakthrough projects accomplished by the company. These all are followed by letterof submission, declaration, supervisors certificate, acknowledgement and executive summary.

The limitation of the report is the limited access to the company confidential data and availability of

comprehensive information pertaining to each of the initiatives and project individually. Sufficient

records, publications were not completely available as per my requirement. Again the quantitative

reports and data are not available. I also had some technical problems at the company as it is a fully ERP

(Enterprise Resource Planning) based and digitized organization. Their entire regular task is done based

on software application. Being an intern and due to limited authority and responsibility, therefore

limited access to the required information and resource and the information was not happened to be

managed.


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The overview and the breakthrough CSR projects of Grameenphone Ltd. | Chapter Two: Description of the

Organization13

2.Chapter Two: Description of the Organization

Grameenphone Ltd., the largest telecommunications service provider in Bangladesh, received its

operating license in November 1996 and started its operation from March 26, 1997. Grameenphone

started its journey with the Village Phone program: a pioneering initiative to empower rural women of

Bangladesh. Grameenphone pioneered the then breakthrough initiative of mobile to mobile telephony

and became the first and only operator to cover 98% of the countrys people with network. Since its

inception Grameenphone has built the largest cellular network in the country with over 13,000 base

stations in more than 7000 locations. GP was the first company to introduce GSM technology in

Bangladesh when it launched its services in March 1997.

Grameenphone was also the first operator to introduce the pre-paid service in September 1999. It

established the first 24-hour Call Center, introduced value-added services such as VMS, SMS, fax and

data transmission services, international roaming service, WAP, SMS-based push-pull services, EDGE,

personal ring back tone and many other products and services. The entire Grameenphone network is

also EDGE/GPRS enabled.

Today, Grameenphone is the leading telecommunications service provider in Bangladesh with more

than 33 million subscribers as of May 2011. The company was successfully listed on the stock exchanges

in November 2009- after the completion of the largest IPO in the history of Bangladesh capital market.

The shareholders of Grameenphone contribute their unique, in-depth experience in both

telecommunications and development. It is a joint venture enterprise between Telenor (55.8%), the

largest telecommunications service provider in Norway with mobile phone operations in 12 other

countries, and Grameen Telecom Corporation (34.2% ), a non-profit sister concern of the internationally

acclaimed micro-credit pioneer Grameen Bank. The other 10% shares belong to general retail and

institutional investors.


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Organization14

Telenor Mobile Communication AS (TMC)

TMC, a company organized under the laws of the Kingdom of Norway seeks to develop and invest

telecommunications solutions through direct and indirect ownership of companies and to enter into

national and international alliance relating to telecommunications. It is a subsidiary of Telenor Mobile

Holdings AS and affluent of Telenor. Telenor ASA is the leading Telecommunications Company of

Norway listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. Ti owns 55.80% shares of Grameenphone Ltd.

Telenor's strong international expansion in recent years has been based on leading-edge expertise,

acquired in the Norwegian and Nordic markets, which are among the most highly developed technology

markets in the world. It has substantial international operations in mobile telephony, satellite

operations and pay television services. In addition to Norway and Bangladesh, Telenor owns mobile

telephony companies in Sweden, Denmark, Hungary, Serbia, Montenegro, Thailand, Malaysia, Pakistan

and India. Including its 39.6% ownership stake in Vimpel Com, Telenor has more than 200 million mobile

subscriptions worldwide as of December 31, 2010.

Grameen Telecom (GTC)

Grameen Telecom, which owns 34.20% of the shares of Grameenphone, is a not-for-profit company in

Bangladesh, working in close collaboration with Grameen Bank, winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006

along with its founder Professor Muhammad Yunus. The internationally reputed bank for the poor has

the most extensive rural banking network and expertise in microfinance. It understands the economic

needs of the rural population, in particular the women from the poorest households. GTCs mandate is

to provide easy access to GSM cellular services in rural Bangladesh and creating new opportunities for

income generation through self- employment by providing villagers, mostly the poor rural women, with

access to modern information and communication-based technologies.

55.80%34.20%

10%

Telenor Grameen Telecom General Retail & Institutional Investors


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Organization15

As part of the conversion of Grameenphone from a private limited to a public limited company,

Grameen Telecom transferred one share each on May 31, 2007 to its two affiliate organizations namely

Grameen Kalyan and Grameen Shakti.

Vision

We exist to help our customers get the full benefit of communications services in their daily lives. Were

here to help.

Mission

Grameenphone is the only reliable means of communication that brings the people of Bangladesh close

to their loved ones and important things in their lives through unparalleled network, relevant

innovations & services.

Values

I.

Make it easy

Everything we produce should be easy to understand and use. We should always remember that we try

to make customers lives easier.

II.

Keep promises

Everything we do should work perfectly. If it doesnt, were there to put things right. Were about

delivery, not over-promising. Were about actions, not words.

III.

Be respectful

We acknowledge and respect local cultures. We want to be a part of local communities wherever we

operate. We want to help customers with their specific needs in a way that suits way of their life best.

IV.

Be inspiring

We are creative. We bring energy and imagination to our work. Everything we produce should look fresh

and modern.


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Organization16

Company Name: Grameenphone Ltd, & Company Registration Number: C-31531 (652)/96

Board of Directors

Chairman

Sigve Brekke

Directors

NurjahanBegum

Hilde Tonne

M. Shahjahan

Per Erik Hylland

Md. AshrafulHassan

Knut Borgen

SnorreCorneliussen

IndependentDirector

Dr. JamaluddinAhmed FCA

Company Secretary

Hossain Sadat

Audit Committee

M. Shahjahan(Chairman)

Per Erik Hylland

Dr. JamaluddinAhmed FCA

Emadulhannan(Secretary)

TreasuryCommittee

M. Shahjahan(Chairman)

Pal Stette

Raihanshamsi

Imdadul Haque(Secretary)


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Organization17

Human ResourcesCommittee

Per Erik Hylland(Chairman)

M. Shahjahan

Arnfinn Groven

Hossain Sadat(Secretary)

Health, Safety,Security &

Environment

Committee

Per Erik Hylland(Chairman)

M. Shahjahan

Dr. Mohammad

Shahnawaz

Hossain Sadat(Secretary)

Management Team

Tore Johnsen,Chief Executive

Officer

RaihanShamsi,Deputy CEO &Chief Financial

Officer

TanveerMohammad,

Chief TechnologyOfficer

ArnfinnGroven,Chief People

Officer

KaziMonirulKabir, Chief

CommunicationsOfficer

ArildKaale, ChiefMarketing

Officer

MahmudHossain, Chief

Corporate AffairsOfficer

Head of Internal Audit

EmadulHannan(StatutoryAuditors)

RahmanRahmanHuq (CharteredAccountants)

Legal Advisors

Hasan &Associate

Sheikh &Chowdhur


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Organization18

Organogram & Management

Management Team

The Management Team is the Executive Committee of Grameenphone managing the affairs of the

Company. The Management Team consists of the CEO and other key Managers across the Company.

The CEO is the leader of the team. Management Team endeavors to achieve the strategic goals &

mission of the Company set by the Board of Directors. The Management Team meets on a weekly basis

to monitor the business performance of the Company.

Board Committees

Board ofDirectors

Tore JohnsenChief Executive

Officer

TanveerMohammad

Chief TechnologyOfficer

Arild Kaale ChiefMarketing

Officer

Kazi MonirulKabir Chief

CommunicationsOfficer

Raihan ShamsiChief Financial

Officer

Arnfinn GrovenChief People

Officer

Mahmud HossChief CorporaAffairs Office

Board ofDirectors

Audit CommitteeTreasury

CommitteeHuman Resources

Committee

Health, Safety,Security andEnvironmentCommittee


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The overview and the breakthrough CSR projects of Grameenphone Ltd. | Chapter Three: Literature Review-

Corporate Social Responsibility19

3.Chapter Three: Literature Review- Corporate Social

Responsibility

Social responsibility can be defined by the views and thoughts expressed by authors, researchers and

observers in the respective context. Such expressions are mentioned in the following section of the

study. Bergmann (1975) pointed out that, social responsibility is, literally, the responsiveness of business

to the expectation of the society as to what constitutes its appropriate objectives and acceptable ways

to attain these objectives. Social responsibility is the set of obligations an organization has to protect

and enhance the society in which it function (Anderson, 1986). It is an obligation, beyond that required

by the law and economics, for a firm to purse long term goals that are good for society (Robbins and

DeCenzo, 1995).

CSR has been discussed in different forums throughout the world. It has been recognized that like profit

and other key result areas, social responsibility is an important area in which every business must set

objectives and produce result (Singhe, 1978). In contrast, Friedman (1962) expressed the other view of

CSR that business must play an active social role in the society in which it functions, since many business

houses are large and economically powerful, this role may be played successfully. Thus, their social

responsibility grows gradually when the organizations grow in size (Davis and Blomstrom, 1975). Drucker

(1964) said that the business enterprise must be managed in such a manner that it can make the public

goods as the private goods of the enterprise.

Murshed, Humayun and Ahmad (1999) commented that recent studies have unveiled connection

between corporate management structure of the enterprises and their choice of financial reporting

method. They also argued that agency theory which has highlighted the relationship of ownership and

management in deriving the financial control of the organization is not focus much on institutional

factors and ideological perspective of financial and managerial control. Kelly (2005) pointed out that

privately owned and employee-owned companies seem to have a better chance of acting in the best

interest of employees and communities, because the ownership structure permitted leaders to have

priorities beyond maximizing profits.

Chowdhury (2006) argued that environmental marketing and management integrate all the three areas

of business society environment interrelationships. But corporate social responsibility or corporate


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citizenship are attributed to be more extensive terms than the business society environment

relationships or the circle model.

Hoque (1985) in an article titled Social responsibilities of Business: Myth or Reality? explained the

concepts of CSR, its major areas and the proper direction in which a firm can think of being sociallyresponsible. Reviewing available literature in the field, the study identified the major areas to be

focused for a business enterprise so as to be responsible to the different concerns of the society.

Mahmud (1988) analyzed different aspects of the concept in a study, to show the practice of social

responsibility in public enterprises of Bangladesh. After a brief discussion of the aspects of social

responsibility the study examined the performance of social responsibility in different public sector

corporations of the country. The study pointed out that public corporations of Bangladesh should have

some sort of obligatory responsibilities to the society. It was tied with the need of establishing public

corporations in the country.

Arif (1990) conducted a study over ten private and ten public sector corporations in Chittagong. He

found that employee welfare and national development were the objectives of a public sector

enterprise management, while the objectives of private business enterprises were profit, growth and

self-sufficiency. But the managers conceptual understandings on the topic were found same in both the

types of businesses. In case of employee welfare, the areas covered were same for the both sectors,

while the involvement was quite less in case of private sector enterprises. Public sector enterprises also

performed better in human resource development programs, and community development activities.

Mannan (1986) discussed the concept of CSR from the organizational contextual changes. The study

reviewed literature on the areas of social responsibility. It also tried to focus the arguments of both for

and against the concept. Petkus and Woodruff defined social responsibility as both avoiding harm and

doing well (as cited by Mohr et al., 2001). Deetz (2003) stated CSR actions as being reactive to the

needs of the community. Mohr, Webb and Harris (2001) has defined CSR as a companys commitment

to minimizing or eliminating any harmful effects and maximizing its long run beneficial impact on

society. However the basic essence of these definitions is same that the organizations are undertaking

CSR activities for producing hygienic products, consciousness for better environment, social awareness

of leading issues, treating employees fairly, and philanthropic activities to achieve sustainability in the

business markets.


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The concept of corporate social responsibility has emerged from the voice that required business

community to examine the ethical or moral principles to minimize problems in the business

environment and maximize the public good. Since 1950s the concept of CSR is under discussion, but it

got tremendous attention of business and research community during recent decades due to the advent

of rapid globalization and mass international trade (Guo et al., 2009). Bowen (1953) is known as one of

initial advocators of CSR suggested that businessmen should pursue those policies, decisions, lines of

action which add objectivity and value to our society. CSR becomes the focus of spotlight during 1960s

and 1970s as the social activism arose high. Manne (1972) argued people seem to enjoy while knowing

that business has a personal responsibility to them outside the market place. This provides a sense of

power and relieve to people who cannot figure out a multifaceted market system. Likewise Beyer (1972)

viewed about the shape of the future relationships among the businesses and community as a reckless

effort graced by concepts of social responsibility, redistributed wealth, a clean environment, positiveaction and organizational self-ombudsmanship.

Instrumental stakeholder theory which argued that firm must satisfy stakeholders because they are

instrumental in achieving firm objectives (Freeman, 1984; Smith, 2003). Another theory of slack

resources argued that firms that have resources to spare outperform those that dont in terms of social

performance (Waddock et al., 1997). Recent theories include sustainable theory of firms, according to

which satisfying stakeholders is the sole purpose and reason for a firms existence (McWilliams and

Siegel, 2000; Stead and Stead, 2001). Another is sustainable value theory which argues that strategies

which simultaneously drive sustainable development and shareholder value create sustainable value

(Hart et al., 2003). Triple bottom line approach that includes people, planet, and profit to cater social,

economic and environmental aspects of the community (Elkington, 1994). Unfortunately there are no

formal and internationally recognized standards rules and regulations for CSR actions which can be used

as benchmark across the globe.

However some efforts have been made which can be used as guideline including John Elkingtons triple

bottom line reporting, the ISO 14000 environmental management standards, Global Reporting

Initiatives Sustainability Reporting Guidelines.Corporate social responsibility is defined (Wood, 1991),

as a business organizations configuration of principles of social responsibility, processes of social

responsiveness, and policies, programs, and observable outcomes as they relate to the firms societal

relationships.


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The overview and the breakthrough CSR projects of Grameenphone Ltd. | Chapter Four: An Overview of CSR of

Grameenphone Ltd.22

4.Chapter Four: An Overview of CSR of Grameenphone Ltd.

"Even a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step..." - Chinese proverb

Grameenphone lives by the statement "Development is a journey, not a destination." Its work is not just

about ensuring connectivity; it is about connecting with people and building relationships, based on

trust, with the subscribers, business partners, employees, shareholders, as well as the wider community.

Vision

To be recognized as the most socially responsible mobile operator in Bangladesh and in the corporate

sector.

Goals

Create shared value for Grameenphone and society through our mobile technology Integrate

responsible business practices in all operations.


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Grameenphone Ltd.23

Some Key CR initiatives of Grameenphone

Safe Motherhood & Infant Care Project - A total of 1.7 million economically disadvantaged

mothers and infants received free healthcare service so far.

Free eye care support for around 28,780 people - 3,458 eye sights restored so far

Climate Change Program & Emergency relief effort in natural calamities

Awareness building on varied national issues- AIDS, National Immunization Day

Information boats with digitized livelihood contents and internal access for remote riverine

communities, establishment of Blood Bank at Bogra for underprivileged patients.

Corporate SocialResponsibility

People

Business

Environment

Product

Socialinvestmen

t


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Grameenphone Ltd.24

Economic freedom for more than 400,000 Village Phone Operators and Cell Bazaar- Every

enterprise counts.

More than 500 Community Information Centers- connecting life and learning

Proud sponsor of Bangladesh Special Olympics team

Rehabilitation of acid victims and Employment opportunity to acid survivors

Blood donation camps for underprivileged Thalassemia patients & Cancer Management for

the Poor

Scholarship and donation for underprivileged meritorious students & Skill development

program

CR initiatives

Environment

EducationHealth

care

Maximizing theenabling effect of

mobiletelecommunicati

on

Minimize ourcarbon footprint

Promote saferproducts and

services


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Grameenphone Ltd.25

Environment

I.

Grameenphone Climate Change Program

Grameenphone being a socially responsible company adopted systematic processes to ensure that,

wherever possible, It manage and mitigate the probable negative impact of its business activities on the

environment. Climate Change Program of Grameenphone was initiated in early 2008 with a vision for

reducing carbon emission, being environment friendly and creating a momentum with the community

and people.

Grameenphone Climate projects aims to reduce carbon emission, become environment friendly and

create a momentum with the community and people. The ambition of the projects is to reduce the

overall companys carbon footprint by 30% within 2015. The target was set using the years 2008 actual

emission as the baseline emission target for the year 2010, 11, 12 and 13are 11%, 13|%, and 20%

respectively. One of the major focus areas is to gain energy efficiency in Grameenphone Networks by

implementing energy efficient base stations, DC ventilation system and alternative energy solutions. The

target of the company is to deploy solar power system in all the off-grid sites. Currently Grameenphone

has 15 Green Base stations and works are going on for deploying solar power system in another 140

sites.

Grameenphone has adapted environment procedures to minimize its direct impact on environment. Theobjective of implementing Environment Management Systems is to become an environment friendly

sustainable company.

Grameenphone also continued its environment campaign Stay Green, Stay Close in 2010

Green Business Offerings Emission Control

Awareness & Adaptation Green Company

4 streams of GP ClimateChange


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Grameenphone Ltd.27

These cyclone shelters are used as non-formal primary school throughout the year to provide non-

formal primary education to underprivileged children of the locality.

Other Initiatives

I.

Sponsoring Special Olympics Bangladesh

Grameenphone become the sole sponsor of Special Olympics Bangladesh in 2007 when it provides

necessary support and training for the athletes to participate in the Special Olympics Games 2007 in

Beijing, China. The team won 71 medals in different categories. In 2008-10, the company supported and

organized regional talent hunts across the country. A total of 400 intellectually challenged athletes were

selected from six divisions through regional talent hunt programs. In October 2010, National Games of

the Special Olympics Bangladesh took place through which 80 athletes were selected. Athletes selected

from 5thNational Games will be further groomed and nurtured to from the brave team of individuals

who will represent Bangladesh in the 2011 Special Olympics International Games to be held in Athens,

Greece.

II.

Emergency Relief Works

A total of 7000 blankets were distributed in different regions of the country during the cold wave in

December 2010 Grameenphone employees denoted warm cloths and actively participated in the

distribution of relief materials

III.

Supporting E-heath

Ministry Health and Family Welfare is currently working to implement the computer based health

information system for gathering data from rural and other levels to central and sub-natural levels.

Information technology is being scaled up to provide health services to the people by a means called e-

health. Grameenphone Ltd. donated 200 computers to the Directorate General of Health Services

(DGHS) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. The computers will be used to digitize the Health

Management Information System (HMIS) and to provide e-health services.


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Grameenphone Ltd.28

IV.

Ahsania Mission Cancer & General Hospital

On May 24, 2007, Grameenphone signed a partnership agreement with the Dhaka Ahsania Mission to

benefit the Dhaka Ahsania Mission Cancer & amp; General Hospital. As per the terms of the partnership,

Grameenphone will sponsor the complete development and upkeep of five wards and an Operation

Theatre (OT) at the under construction Dhaka Ahsania Mission Cancer & General Hospital. Based

on estimates of the Bangladesh Cancer Society there are about 1,000,000 cancer patients in Bangladesh.

Each year about 200,000 new cancer patients are added and 150,000 die from the disease. Despite the

numbers, existing cancer treatment facilities in Bangladesh are extremely limited and only 15,000

patients receive the proper medical treatment each year.


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The overview and the breakthrough CSR projects of Grameenphone Ltd. | Chapter Five: Breakthrough CSR Projects

of Grameenphone Ltd29

5.Chapter Five: Breakthrough CSR Projects of Grameenphone Ltd

Grameenphone aims to make meaningful social investment beyond business interests to sustainable

tackle the development issue of the country in the areas of poverty alleviation, health, education, and

empowerment. The target beneficiaries are the poorest of the poor of Bangladesh.

The CSR department is responsible for the overall management of the CSR projects and related

investments of the company. This includes screening and identification of projects and suitable

implementing partners, necessary fund allocation and its management, progress check, post-

implementation review, and reporting both internally and externally.

Project and program are generally undertaken on a long term basis with the aim to create positive and

sustainable impact on the society. Simultaneously, to insert positive energy across the company, each of

these CSR projects intentionally caters for voluntary involvement by GP employees in the field level

projects work.


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In rural areas, where isolation and poor infrastructure services are often the norm, telecommunication

can play extremely important role in enhancing social and economic development. The Village Phone

(VP) initiative has made tremendous social and economic impact in the rural areas of Bangladesh,

creating a substantial consumer surplus for the users. On the other hand, it has created an income-

earning opportunity for the VP operator, mostly poor women and borrower of members of Grameen

Bank, who are now able to make their opinions count.

The Village Phone Program, started in 1997, provides a good income-earning opportunity to more than

270,000 mostly women Village Phone operators living in rural areas. The Village Phone Program is a

unique initiative to provide universal access to telecommunications service in remote, rural areas.

Administered by Grameen Telecom Corporation, it enables rural people who normally cannot afford to

own a telephone to avail the service while providing the VP operators an opportunity to earn a living.

The Village Phone initiative was given the "GSM in the Community" award at the global GSM Congress

held in Cannes, France in February 2000. Grameenphone was also adjudged the Best Joint Venture

Enterprise of the Year at the Bangladesh Business Awards in 2002.

Launch Date

26 March, 1997, the same day commercial service of Grameenphone was launched.

How it works

Grameen Telecom supervises the village phone activities in cooperation with Grameen Bank and

Grameenphone.

The village Phones work as an owner-operated pay phone. A member of Grameen Bank takes a loan to

buy a handset and a GP subscription and she is trained by Grameen Telecom on how to operate it. The

VP operators then retails the mobile phone service among her fellow villagers, thus earning an income.

Projects Milestones

270,000 Village Phone Operators in 50,000 villages.

Replicated in a number of countries including Uganda and Rwanda

Received GSMA in the Community Award in 2000

Received Petersburg Prize award by the Gateway Foundation in 2005


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The Grameenphone Community Information Center is a shared premise where rural people may access

a wide-range of state of art services such as Internet, voice communications, video conferencing and

other information services.

Set up with technical assistance from the GSM Association, the Grameenphone Community Information

Centers (GPCICs) are equipped with the minimum of a computer, a printer, a scanner, a web cam and an

EDGE-enabled modem to access the Internet using the EDGE connectivity.

Launch date

The pilot project started in February 2006 with 16 CICs; today the project has become a massive

operation with over 500 CICs operational in nearly 450 Upzilla's.

This initiative by GP is in line with the company's objective to serve local community needs by

Bridging the "digital divide" by providing information access to rural people

Alleviating poverty

Educating the underserved and underprivileged on information-based services

Building local entrepreneurships and improving capacity

Creating employment opportunities for the unemployed youth


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CICs are a unique business model that has won appreciation from the International community, such as

from the Washington Post, from UNDP, as well as the blessings of several International bodies like

Katalyst and the GSMA.

The short-term plan of this initiative is to establish at least one CIC in each of the 462 Upazilla's. In the

long-run Grameenphone plans to increase the number of CICs substantially so that very CIC can support

the information needs of four adjacent villages.

CIC Model- How it works

It is designed to be run independently as small businesses by local entrepreneurs. Set up with technical

assistance from the GSM Association, Grameenphone Community Information Centers (GPCICs) are

equipped with the minimum of a computer, a printer, a scanner, a webcam and an EDGE-enabled

modem, to access the Internet using Grameenphones nation-wide EDGE connectivity. GPCICs are

designed to be run independently as small businesses by local entrepreneurs. The entrepreneurs are

trained and are provided with continuous support from Grameenphone. To help the entrepreneurs earn

a living, Community Information Centers also provide other Grameenphone services, such as payphones

(again using GP's mobile network) and electronic recharges (Flexi load) for prepaid and postpaid mobile

accounts.

Projects Milestones 506 Community Information Centers (CICs) in 417 Upazillas

Services in CIC

Internet surfing and e-mailing

Content on health, agriculture, etc.

Locally relevant customized and open content

Chatting with Voice, Picture

Video conferencing

Typing

Scanning, Printing

Commercial Mobile Call

E-governance services


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GP value added services such as FlexiLoad, Ring tones downloading etc.

E-Fax

CD Writing

Telemedicine services (to be introduced)

Multimedia education for children (Meena Cartoon, courtesy of UNDP)

Strategic partners

In order to achieve its vision, Grameenphone has united with different organizations and institutions, in

various categories, as strategic partners. The rollout partners of Grameenphone in this initiative are

Grameen Telecom, Society for Economic and Basic Advancement (SEBA), and Eagle, nationwide, and

Kalikapur Daridro Kallan Sangsta (KDKS), Socio-Economic Development Association (SEDA), Karmakutir,

Goriber Asroy, and SSTD Communication, divisionally. All of these organizations are Non-Governmental

Developmental organizations and working with the rural populace for the development of the individual

and the community.

Noakhali Web, an on-line newspaper for the greater Noakhali and Community Portal; and Anovatec, a

Health Service Provider (http://www.anovatechbd.com/), are also strategic partners of Grameenphone

on the CIC project.

In addition, Grameenphone is working directly with international organizations like KATALYST and GSMA

to make the initiative successful. Frequent programs and discussions are also held with UN bodies, such

as UNDP, UNICEF and UNESCO, who share the common goal of making a significant contribution for the

betterment of rural the mass.

Limited communication has always been a hindrance for performing business especially in developing

countries. In Bangladesh, the isolation and uninformed farmers and traders have little bargaining power

with exploitative middlemen.

Using Grameenphone Cell Bazaar, buyers and sellers are able to trade goods (e.g. rice, motorcycle,

electronics, etc.) through their mobile phones, bringing the benefit of information exchange, community


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networking and one-to-many trading to a previously unwired rural population. It facilitates the system

of trading, so that the traders can gather market information for smart and informed decision-making

while staying at home and grow their business. Cell Bazaar simple connects and empowers.

Launch Date

July 2006

How it works

Grameenphone Cell Bazaar project is about using mobile phone to create an electronic market place.

Cell Bazaar users register via a simple procedure and can then post items for sale via mobile or

computer. For buyers interested in purchasing items or services, the process is just as easy. A simple

search through an SMS, browsing with WAP (WEARLESS Application Protocol), WEB (cellbazaar), and IVR

(call 3838) gives access to the listed available items with their respective price and the address of

purchase.

Every imaginable product is listed on Cell Bazaar, from poultry in Habiganj to fridges in Rangamati,

opening up a world of possibilities for all involved.

Projects Milestone

Over a million subscribers have accessed its service since inception.

On an average, there are 600 new postings and 90,000 hits per day.

Received 3GSMA Global Mobile Award 2008 for Best Use of Mobile for Social and Economic

Development.

Voted Asian Telecom Innovative of the Year in the Telecom Asia Awards 2008.

It is no hidden fact that providing adequate energy is a nationwide crisis. Till date, the process of load

shedding is being used to allocate energy resources throughout our populous nation.

Thus, to deal with this energy crisis, Grameenphone has been taking different initiatives to use less

energy to operate network means to gain efficiency, save operational expenses and improving overall

profitability.


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The NANO project is one such initiative that was commenced by the Technology division in 2008 with

the aim to consolidate and optimize core location to reduce energy consumption and gain efficiency.

When this project kicked off, Grameenphone had a total of 40 core sites in 22 different locations. The

major objective was to reduce these digits to 20 core sites at 9 locations by 2014. And upon completion,Grameenphone will have only one rented core.

Benefit

It is expected that by 2014, the NANO project will help Grameenphone save approximately 1.9 Mn

USD/yr in terms of OPEX by vacating and consolidating the switch sites. Moreover, energy saving will be

around 11 GWH/year of electricity and 369 thousand liters of fuel and 5960 tons of CO2 from

Grameenphones carbon footprint. The total required investment to carry out the entire project till 2014

will be approximately 1.5 Mn USD. The energy saving from this project will reduce pressure onBangladeshs grid. It saves energy, reduces carbon footprint; lowers greenhouse gas emissions; prevents

climate change and ultimately builds a more SUSTAINABLE mobile network.

Community & People

Approximately 11 GWH saved p.a. means replaced energy and fewer outages; power for villages

previously off-grid; aiding quality of life, education and health.

Government

It will help resolve issues like unmet power demand, high (~20%) system loss and insufficient grid lines.

Also the saved energy from this initiative can be used by government to use in the rural and remote

areas combating the power and outage challenges.

Company Profitability

Immediate OPEX saving will increase profitability for Grameenphone. This will enable Grameenphones

sustainability and competitiveness in a very low Average Revenue per User (ARPU) region.

Advantages from last Achievement

Till date, Grameenphone has three vacant core sites located at Sylhet, Mymenshing, & Parbotipur.

Through this, energy saved was 2.00 GWH/year from electricity, fuel saving was liters 42.65 Th/year and

208 KUSD of OPEX was saved. Also BDT 38 lac was earned from the resell of unused materials.


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Motherhood is rightly celebrated as the most extraordinary time in a womans life and ideally, there

cannot be any experience that is more gratifying. However, reality, sometimes totally differ. In

Bangladesh, only 13% women get skilled Attendants at delivery. The country has one of the highest

maternal mortality rate (320 per 100,000 and infant mortality rate (52 per 1000) in Asia.

Safe Motherhoodis not only a breakthrough vital project to avoid untimely and painful maternal and

child deaths but to nurture a healthy and prosperous nation too. Henceforth, reducing infant mortality

and improving maternal health have been identified as two of the eight millennium development goals.

Grameenphone Safe Motherhood & Infant Care Project is thus designed to ensure free yet quality safe

motherhood and infant care services to poor mothers and their infants. It also aims at assisting in

necessary infrastructure development and extension of basic healthcare services especially in the hard-

to-reach and remote areas.

Launch Date

May 2007

How it works

In partnership with Pathfinder International and through USAIDs network Smiling Sun clinic in 61

districts, free primary healthcare services are being provided by health professionals via 318 static

clinics, 8000 satellite clinics and 6000 community-based health-workers across the country. In addition,

we have introduced clinic-onwheels (i.e. mobile mini hospital) to complement these existing service

touch-point to enhance the accessibility of services in remote areas.

Projects Milestones

A total of 1.7 million economically disadvantaged mothers and infants received free healthcare

service so far.

Patlya and Bhola clinics of FDSR and Swanirvar Bangladesh respectively, are being upgraded to

emergency obstetric care centers.

5 motorized vans are being provided to facilitate better patients referral.

2 clinic-on-wheels are being given to increase the accessibility of services in the hard-to-reach

areas.


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The overview and the breakthrough CSR projects of Grameenphone Ltd. | Findings 37

Findings

Grameenphone Ltd., the leading organization in operation in the telecommunication industry of

Bangladesh. Along with the successful business operation the company is consistently and closely

connected with the socially responsible and environmentally friendly initiatives. Being successful in the

prospective industry, the company is also successful the in almost all of their CSR projects.

Grameenphone acknowledge the complementary relationship and interdependency between

responsibility and commercial interest. The strategic ambitions and the countrys development issues

are mutually inclusive, and hence, they cannot be treated in isolation. Here it is believed good business

is good development and vice versa. As the business grows, it generates positive economic and social

impact in the form of beneficial services, jobs and contributions to the National Exchequer. Likewise,

good development equals good business. Thus, the relationship with home country is built on a

partnership which strives to achieve common economic and social goals.

The Cell Bazaar- through which buyers and sellers are able to trade goods through their mobile phones,

bringing the benefit of information exchange, community networking and one-to-many trading to a

previously unwired rural population and the system of trading, so that the traders can gather market

information for smart and informed decision-making while staying at home and grow their business.

CSR initiatives also cover environment, social awareness & responsibility, education, and Health &

Safety. Some milestone CSR projects encompassing the mentioned areas substantially accelerated the

companys communication regarding sustainability & development, and helped the company to

penetrate the potential market.

One of the milestone initiatives is the Community Information Centers (CICs)-connecting life and

learning, is a place where rural people may access a wide-range of state of art services such as Internet,

voice communications, video conferencing and other information services. Information boats is

another with digitized livelihood contents and internal access for remote riverine communities.

In the area of health, safety, & environment some major initiatives are Safe Motherhood & Infant Care

Project - A total of 1.7 million economically disadvantaged mothers and infants received free healthcare

service so far. Blood Donation Campsfor underprivileged thalassemia patients, Free Eye Care Support


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The overview and the breakthrough CSR projects of Grameenphone Ltd. | Findings 38

for around 28,780 people - 3,458 eye sights restored so far. Climate Change Program and NANO project

focus on environment and planet, and finally for enlightened education scholarships for underprivileged

meritorious students and skill development program show active presence of GP in corporate

responsibility.

In line with this, Grameenphone CSR communications are branded under the corporate brand banner

and accommodate all consumers from all segment and other key stakeholder groups equally. In doing

so, CSR communication reinforces the general communication objectives of creating corporate brand

awareness and loyalty through positioning the brand in relation to CSR initiatives. In response

corporations are volunteering themselves to incorporate CSR as part of their business strategies, mission

statement and values in multiple domains, respecting labor and environmental laws, while taking care of

the contradictory interest of various stake holders.


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The overview and the breakthrough CSR projects of Grameenphone Ltd. | Conclusion 39

Conclusion

From the very inception to still going prosperous operation the company have executed and

accomplished many generous initiative encompassing environment, education, development, & health.

Corporate social responsibility is a 'complementary' combination of ethical and responsible corporate

behavior, as well as building relationship with stakeholders leading towards generating greater good for

the society by addressing the socio-economic development needs of the country. Grameenphone

believes and do business to produce an overall positive impact on the environment, education, health,

through business and economic actions. It is not about image enhancement nor is it a media tool. CSR is

still an evolving philosophy and has gathered attention in recent in Bangladesh Grameenphone is

already an established name in the field of CSR and executed some socially responsible projects very

successfully.

There are some milestone initiatives and breakthrough projects enabling empowerment, employment,

education, socio-economic & community development- namely Community Information Centers (CICs),

Village Phone, Grameen Shikhkha, Alokdeep, Safe Motherhood & Infant Care Project, NANO

project, and Climate Change Program.

CSR is being used today to establish good rapport with the public. It is also used as pre-emption strategy

by the corporations to save their skin from unforeseen risks and corporate scandals, possible

environmental accidents, governmental rules and regulations, protect eye-catching profits, brand

differentiation, and better relationship with employees based on volunteerism terms.

Hence, it would add value if companies like Grameenphone make a special effort to share its best

practice and leading with others. It will definitely pave the way for other likeminded companies to

actively consider and explore CSR opportunities for them as well. On the other hand, it is believed that

the company must be transparent and accountable. Consequently, systematic communication with its

stakeholders of the CSR activities by the company must be done seeking feedback and suggestions.

The social contract between the corporation and the community is of critical importance. The

motivations for these initiatives are continuously on the rise of increase in order to nurture and

contribute to the business growth of the organization.


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The overview and the breakthrough CSR projects of Grameenphone Ltd. | References 40

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Appendix

Grameenphone Ltd. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Annual Report 2008

Other Grameenphone reports- GP Annual Report 2010, GP Annual Report 2006, Steps

Company internal sites and Company other websites:

www.grameenphone.com

http://www.gpcic.org/

http://www.telenor.com/en/corporate-responsibility/initiatives-worldwide/grameenphone

Already published articles and materials related to the topic

Global and local CSR Articles

External websites:

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corporate_social_responsibility

www.businesslink.gov.uk

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/corporatesocialresponsibility
http://www.grameenphone.com/http://www.gpcic.org/http://www.telenor.com/en/corporate-responsibility/initiatives-worldwide/grameenphone-microsoft-digital-literacy-programmehttp://www.businesslink.gov.uk/http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/http://www.telenor.com/en/corporate-responsibility/initiatives-worldwide/grameenphone-microsoft-digital-literacy-programmehttp://www.gpcic.org/http://www.grameenphone.com/

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