Costa Rica

The article begins by exploring the different approaches to CSR between domestic businesses and subsidiaries of large multinational corporations within Costa Rica. The attempt to initiate CSR in Costa Rican businesses is viewed in the context of the pending Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) legislation and the effect it is anticipated to have on smaller businesses. After examining efforts made by the domestic business community, the article examines current practices of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by two multinational companies (MNCs) in the technology sector operating in Costa Rica and examines both aspects of what they are currently doing in the interests of CSR and whether those actions are appropriate for both their goals as a private enterprise and for the well-being of the country for which they are intended. Looking specifically at Microsoft, Oracle, and Intel, the study then goes on to examine the incentives behind CSR and whether those goals are best met by the current practices. It also discusses the scalability of CSR via the origins of the programs currently being conducted by MNCs operating in Costa Rica, and how those practices can be emulated by corporate entities of varying sizes and resources. Lastly, it looks at the need for both operational integration and specificity in CSR in order for the practice to function as intended; the integration of socially and environmentally sound business and production practices, and specificity of local solutions to address particular areas of concern based on the actual needs of a given location rather than a one-size-fits-all blanket approach mandated from a head office in another country. Ultimately, CSR is growing as a practice and becoming increasingly effective, but is still in the early stages both as a concept and a methodology, and needs to develop in scalability and diversification to reach its full potential.