Towards a “Responsible” Digital Era
If the ending decade was one of “Digital Transformation” for companies, it is likely that the next one will be about “Responsible Transformation.”
What is a responsible company?
While definitions may vary, we can consider Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to cover the following areas:
- Environmental protection.
- Citizen protection: safety, health, and also their freedoms and privacy.
- Social impacts, particularly the fight against inequalities: gender equality, poverty reduction, combating discrimination, etc.
- Economic impact, notably contributing to the local economy.
Although large companies have implemented CSR policies for many years, they were not at the core of their strategy and business. This is changing and spreading, including among small businesses.
Why a CSR Policy Becomes Strategic
Several reasons are pushing companies to make CSR a major part of their strategy:
- Firstly, the pressure from consumers and customers who aim to have a positive impact on the environment and society through their consumption choices.
- Anticipating future regulations and protecting against potential future “scandals,” thus mitigating long-term risks.
- Attracting young employees for whom CSR is increasingly a criterion in choosing their employer.
The Digital, an Instrument of CSR Policies
Digital technology is naturally a major instrument for CSR policies due to its growing significance in businesses in recent years.
The challenges of digital technology on CSR are numerous. I will address each issue in dedicated articles, but here is an initial summary:
1/ Environmental Protection.
- Data centers, PCs, smartphones, tablets, network equipment, and more consume energy. The carbon footprint of the “digital” is estimated to contribute to 3.8% of global CO2 emissions, four times more than France.
- Our (over?) consumption of devices depletes metals and natural resources.
Green IT is in its early stages, and it seems clear it will be on the agenda of Chief Digital Officers and Chief Technology Officers in the years to come.
2 / Respecting Consumer Liberties and Privacy
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a first step toward consumers regaining control over their data. However, much remains to be done in terms of awareness among consumers and businesses, especially pure players. The real or perceived abuses by certain almost monopolistic tech giants, starting with Facebook, paradoxically served this cause before it became “too late.”
3 / Impacts of Products and Services on Society
Digital transformation has changed the way products and services are designed, with the advent of “user-centered” design.
Tomorrow, users will expect the products or services they consume to meet their individual needs as well as align with their citizen aspirations, whether environmental or social.
4 / Because Without a “Responsible” Policy, There Will Be No Talent
Digital enterprises suffer from a shortage of skills and labor. However, these populations, predominantly young, are the most attached to environmental and social dimensions. They increasingly seek to work for “Responsible” companies and, being in a strong position, will make responsibility one of the top criteria in choosing their employer.
Conclusion
The digital teams in companies are entering a new phase of maturity in their profession. Digital technology will no longer be at the center of the strategy but a means to transform business activities into responsible practices.
They will have to learn to not be at the center of the strategies but a means in the service of new ambitions.
Digital teams will need to conduct a self-examination of certain choices and practices, the still limited integration of environmental impact into their daily work.
They will need to rethink their working methods and design services that prioritize “citizen first” rather than “user first.”
