Creating Unique Social Models

Toyota being a manufacturing company, addresses the fundamental issue in its core value of Monozukuri, which refers to sustainable growth in harmony with nature, says Vikram Gulati, Country Head & Senior VP, External Affairs, Public Relations, Corporate Social Responsibility & Corporate Governance, Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM)

- Niranjan Mudholkar

What is the fundamental principle that guides TKM’s CSR activities?

At Toyota, CSR is seen more as a voluntary activity, although there is a legal requirement for CSR, we at Toyota view this as a responsibility coupled with an opportunity contribute to the society. The CSR program at TKM was set up right after the initiation of its manufacturing plant back in 1997-98. It was neither an after-thought nor did it begin after the government policy was enacted. Toyota being a manufacturing company, addresses the fundamental issue in its core value of Monozukuri, which refers to sustainable growth in harmony with nature. All our activities are conducted with this as a fundamental principle with CSR being an integral part of Toyota’s DNA in conducting the business. We believe in the philosophy of ‘Grow together’ and thus, focus on the community around our manufacturing plant, executing sustainable CSR with optimal resource and high impact approach.

We follow the ‘Toyota Way’ system even for our CSR activities and the hallmark of this approach has always been to undertake root cause analysis and then adopt suitable strategies and interventions that address the core issues in a manner that can help bring about sustenance to whatever we do. For this we define the outcomes and process of the project with stipulated timelines along with a clear exit strategy along with the sustenance plan. The stakeholders are engaged right from the planning stage so that the processes are well understood by them and their continual involvement ensures greater ownership of the interventions. Thus, while addressing various societal issues it is our endeavour to ensure that we can bring about a behavioural change and that the community takes the ownership of the social assets created for them as well as adopting good processes.