Social investments are business management, technological and material resources.This category also includes finance companies.
main direction
All of the above resources are spent on the implementation of specific social programs.They are designed to meet the needs of internal and external stakeholders.It is expected that on the basis of these programs will get a certain socio-economic results.Next, take a closer look, it relates to investments in the Russian Federation.
General
Social investments are presented in the form of a complex cost on a special program.It includes the cost of developing the skills of staff: training and retraining, health, labor and so on.Social investments are aimed at improving the state of the environment, to ensure sound business practices, assisting local communities.Theoretically, in the category under consideration should not be forced to go (regulated by law) the cost of the program.However, in practice, quite difficult to distinguish between forced and voluntary costs.Social investments in Russia are closely related to corporate responsibility.The greater the volume of the first, the higher will be the second, for that matter, and vice versa.Investments in social sphere contribute to the formation of the image and enhance business reputation.They act as long-term investments in intangible assets of companies.
Social efficiency of investment
These investments both in domestic and in the western practice have a very beneficial impact on the business activities of companies.Social investments encourage positive change in society.It should be understood that the cost of the program can not be considered charity.Social investments presuppose corresponding effect.Their payback period is long enough, and the adjusted net cost is low.However, the return on these investments is expressed not only in cash.The result can be a confidence-building and the formation of a positive image of the company among the members of the community, which were sent to social investment.According to the results of many international studies, the presence of other equal conditions, people prefer to choose the company which, in their opinion, the most critical to society.Subsequently, a selection becomes immediate action.In particular, people buy shares, purchased services, goods and so on.As an immediate business benefits of investing in social advocate:
- formation of a stable commercial sphere.
- Increasing the market value of the company in the long term.
- Lowering operational risk.
- Improving financial performance.
- increase sales.
- Decrease recruitment costs.
- Increased productivity.
- expansion of market scope.
structure investments
labor-intensive industries mainly oriented to domestic investment.This, in particular, health and development.This material and energy sphere focused more on external costs: environmental protection, resource conservation.These facts reveal the position depending on the size of the investments on the specifics of the enterprise in the broad sense.Thus, light industry pay more attention to the work with its own staff.Companies 'heavy' scope to expend funds on resource conservation and preservation of the environment.It should be noted that external trends are characteristic mainly of wood, wood processing, chemical industry, as well as the service industry (including utilities).Domestic expenditure, in turn, are, as a rule, electricity, engineering, trade and transport sectors, as well as companies producing consumer goods.
qualitative aspect
It is associated with the assessment and taking into account the level of complexity and completeness of the immediate process of implementation of social investment.As an analytical and statistical embodiment of this aspect of the problem appears quality index investments.It actually allows you to determine the level of diversification of investments, the degree of information equipment, institutional support for the planning and subsequent implementation of social spending.
qualitative evaluation criteria
In Russia, they are divided into three groups.They are based on the following indicators:
- first group of criteria - institutionalization of social and political processes.In this case, it provides consideration for the following items:
- the presence of a particular document, which enshrines the actions of the company in that direction (normative centralization);
- the existence of a special unit, which is responsible for the implementation of company programs (organizational centralization);
- the use of a collective agreement (the regulatory framework).
- second group of criteria - accounting system of social events.This assumes four positions:
- an annual compilation of financial statements according to international standards (standardization and unification of data);
- evaluating the effectiveness of investments (backward interaction between the investor and investment);
- there are examples of programs (informing the public to transfer the positive experience, reputation and promote the image of enterprise, self-promotion);
- the introduction of the world's expenditure generally accepted standards (informational basis of social and political activity).
- third group of criteria - the complexity of implemented social investment.It provides accounting in 5 areas of expenditure:
- to develop the skills of staff;
- on the safety and health of employees;
- for environmental protection and resource conservation;
- the development of local communities;
- to maintain good commercial activity.
In accordance with the guidelines relating to the latter group, formulated the principle of maximum diversity of socio-political activity of the companies, since the concentration of investments in the first two positions leads to disparities in the development of the entire socio-economic system.
Knowledgebase study
investments as a source of quantitative measurement of investments are the results of the survey hundred Russian companies.The project is supported by the government of the country, the Ministry of Investment.Financing is the UN Development Programme.Overall coordination was carried out by the Association of Russian Managers.
main problems
The main of them is the complexity of the process of performance evaluation.The first effect is rather difficult to express in money.In addition, not all cases can be proved that a particular rate increase was the result of investments.Also in Russia today there are no clear and distinct criteria for the review of corporate responsibility.No society, and clear ideas about what should be the aesthetic principles of modern business and what are the benefits of socially responsible actions.There is today, and stringent standards and requirements.
