Social Responsibility: what the next generations of managers know about it?

Abstract

The main purpose of companies nowadays is not only generation of profits for shareholders and investors, of jobs and income or even their own survival and growth. Companies are also responsible for sustainable development and social equity. The objective of this study is to identify the interpretation of undergraduate management students on social responsibility, based on the assumption that these students are the next generation of managers. In addition, this study analyzes the socio demographic antecedents of social responsibility: age, gender, semester in the university, family monthly income, contact with the issue in the university and the impact of social projects on financial performance. In total, 250 structured questionnaires were applied in two different universities in São Paulo State. Results show that the respondents do not have a complete understanding of what social responsibility is. This incomplete perception can influence negatively the commitment of companies to social projects and, consequently, to sustainable development.