Case Name :      Tata Power: Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability

Authors :           Rama Deshmukh, Atanu Adhikari

Source :             Ivey Publishing

Case ID :            910M13

Discipline :        Entrepreneurship

Case Length :    18 pages

Solution Sample availability : YES

Plagiarism : NO (100% Original work)

The case describes the strategic dilemma involved in making a decision on the method of operation of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) department for one of the leading Indian multinational corporations, Tata Power Company (TPC) from Tata Group of Companies. TPC had undertaken the CSR activities for decades, reflecting the company’s commitment towards sustainable energy generation without undue compromise to human and environmental development. These activities were undertaken as a voluntary initiative by the employees of TPC, and there was no separate CSR department. However, with large scale expansion, the need to have CSR as a separate entity was felt. The dilemma for the decision manager was whether to create a separate CSR department or continue with the existing set up. Other related issues needed to be addressed strategically as well as tactically to maintain a balance between shareholders’ interest and other stakeholders.