Croatian entrepreneurs and employers, which are the cornerstones of the economic life in Croatia, but are also responsible factors in the social and economic life in the country, in circumstances created by economic crisis we are faced with, initiated a discussion on importance of Corporate Social Responsibility in the development of our companies and the Croatian society as a whole. Besides some seven hundred economists, the gathering was attended by the representatives of state bodies headed by Jadranka Kosor, the prime minister of Croatia, and DSc Ivo Josipović the President of the State. In their speeches, both the Prime Minister and the President pointed out the need for economic recovery in the country, as the precondition for the sustainable development of the whole society. Within the scope of this gathering, there was a round table on the topic „Corporate Social Responsibility in the Croatian Circumstances “ in which MSc Gordana Kovačević, the president of Ericsson Nikola Tesla, took part.
The round table discussions covered the importance to implement the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) with examples of good practices in several companies The importance of CSR as a strategic guideline was pointed out, along with the consideration of specific relations towards all concerned, and the current problems, like for example insolvency or public procurement . Solving of such problems is a precondition for wider application of CSR in Croatian economy. The speech by Gordana Kovačević was based on Ericsson Nikola Tesla example in excellence and innovativeness as preconditions for the company competitiveness in the high technology sector. She gave a special stress to the importance of investment into employees and suppliers, who are the base for the excellence and the added value as a factor to differentiate a company in the market. The company president also pointed out the importance of transparency and ethics in business performance, since only the companies implementing such practices may be aware of a long-term improvement, and be the chosen supplier and employer. She praised the current efforts of the government bodies to simplify the administrative processes for entrepreneurs that may improve their operations and provide the performance development. The general conclusions of the participants in the panel discussions were that the economy wishes to operate responsible and work systematically on implementation of practices with Corporate Social Responsibility. But, to achieve that, the legislative frame shall be encouraging and shall create the environment with the adequate evaluation of responsible performance and conditions for operations clear and equal to all. There is no alternative to CSR, since it is the basis for sustainable development, was the final conclusion by all participants in a panel discussion.
