Tight Rope Walk at Tata Steel: Balancing Profits and CSR

Now in its centennial year, Tata Steel is among India’s largest and most renowned companies. With a consistent track record in the past, it is poised for dramatic growth in the future—both in India and abroad. Since its inception, Tata Steel has been deeply committed to sharing its wealth and prosperity with disadvantaged communities around its operational sites. It voluntarily ploughed large sums of money into redressing a range of social problems—much before ‘Corporate Social Responsibility (or CSR)’ formally entered the vocabulary of management texts. This case study describes the company, its underlying value system, and its wide portfolio of social programs. In the process, it also triggers a debate over future course of action. Can Tata Steel afford to maintain its traditional CSR strategy? In view of increasing competition, and the importance of cost competitiveness, has the time come for a comprehensive review of all that the company does and the way in which they are done?