In view of the increased demand for trusted information and examples of Corporate Social Responsibility among Jordanian enterprises, the Social Security Investment Unit (SSIU) feels responsible for issuing an informative guide, rich in trusted information on the concept, principles and practices of social responsibility, and planning to have it distributed among the various entities approved by SSIU.

This Guide has been prepared within the framework of the strategy adopted by SSIU, in response to its partners’ needs, and in order to provide basic information on social responsibility. Such information is meant to deepen those partners’ knowledge through applicable practicing, to practically adopt the concept, and to promote sustainable institutional development.

The publication of this Guide comes at a time when different public and private work sectors and other non-governmental organizations are dedicating time and effort to implement some pioneering practices and initiatives for Corporate Social Responsibility and other related issues, yet, hindered by the documentation process and mutual cooperation, as well as by the implementation of such initiatives, as this Guide meets international practices adopted within this framework.

SSIU provides its partners with a comprehensive guide that comprises basic social responsibility principles, the international principles that form the framework of social responsibility, and means to implement such principles within the enterprise. This Guide is applicable to enterprises, regardless of the nature of their business activity, size, or rendered services. SSIU hopes for this publication to be used as a starting point that clarifies the main requirements and needs of social responsibility, besides providing appropriate options for their treatment, and mentioning various successful instruments which contribute in adopting social responsibility by enterprises.
 

It is worth mentioning that, in this Guide, Social Responsibility has been considered one of several, comprehensive, multilateral aspects that aim at enhancing environmental, social, and economic conditions within the enterprise, and provides a model for partnership among enterprises of various identities, and non-governmental organizations, as well as other citizens to address the issues which affect the society, and to find solutions for such issues.

By introducing this Guide, SSIU hopes that it will act as a solid pillar for raising a proper institutional awareness pertinent to the concepts of Social Responsibility, and their applicable approaches to be adopted by everyone. It also hopes that this Guide will inspire and motivate partners to continue their efforts for the enhancement of their services rendered to maintain the high standing of our Country.

SSIU and Social Responsibility

SSIU was established in 2003 as a specialized Social Security Investment Unit that undertakes investing in the Social Security Corporation (SSC), in order to realize profitable and regular returns, while retaining the real value of the Corporation’s assets, and providing the needed liquidity in order to meet SSC liabilities.

The management of SSIU has adopted a number of core values, among which is social responsibility, stemming from the deep-rooted belief that social responsibility contributes to strengthening corporate competitiveness, as it ensures the continuity of the culture of creativity, and raises awareness on environment and society-related issues. As such, it promotes and contributes to retaining qualified employees, ensures efficient performance of risk management, and positively enhances corporate reputation and image within the society.

In addition, SSIU clarifies its vision concerning social responsibility as being the ethical investment and contribution to sustainable development which serves both the society and the environment, while realizing profitable returns from investment, relying, in supporting this vision, on the following grounds:
 

First: Transparency and integrity in investment decision-taking, through:

A- Separating and delegating competences for every participant in investment decision-taking through competence hierarchy.
B- Transparency in publishing financial statements through publishing quarterly press releases and detailed financial statements on biannual basis, and preparing annual reports which shall comprise thorough analysis for the SSIU’s financial performance.

Second: Contribution to sustainable development to serve both the society and the environment through giving priority to feasible national investment. In defining such priority, SSIU depends on guiding royal initiatives to achieve sustainable social and economic development, in addition to SSIU’s adherence to instilling the principle of the environment’s significant role in supporting businesses, as there are many uncomplicated solutions that preserve the environment, yet are not limited to environmental concerns only.

Third: Ensured equality in rights among individuals, and promotion of gender equal opportunities. SSIU has set a methodology for selection and recruitment to ensure such principles are realized among candidates, in addition to achieving equality before the law in rights and obligations.

Guide Components
The main four chapters of this Guide have been prepared in a systematic sequence that guarantees providing the relevant category at the Corporation with basic information that clarifies the general definition of social responsibility, as included in the first chapter. The second chapter covers the principles, approaches and requirements if applying corporate social responsibility. The aim of the third chapter is providing the relevant category with a realistic framework that enables the Corporation to implement the activities and duties which are connected with social responsibility.

The Guide concludes with a fourth chapter that refers to the significance of preparing reports on assessing the general institutional performance with respect to social responsibility, to fulfill the requirements of sustainability reports. The Guide further designates a special annex for the terminology used in it, and another annex on global voluntary initiatives and instruments related to social responsibility, through describing and demonstrating these initiatives and instruments, their purposes, places in which they are used, and other standards for their utilization, if any.

^{Chapter 1: The Concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)}

^{Chapter 2: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Principles, Dimensions and Requirements}

^{Chapter 3: Implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)}

^{Chapter 4: Preparation of Sustainability and Social Responsibility Reports}