The Tata Group: Integrating Social Responsibility with Corporate Strategy

Companies like TCS and Tata Tele Services, operating in the IT and telecommunication industry contributed the largest share of 27% in the group's earnings in 2003-04. A pioneer in several areas, the Tata group has consistently followed the path of innovation, growth and development. Tata is credited with pioneering India's steel industry, civil aviation and starting the country's first power plant. Tata was the market leader in several diverse fields - it had the world's largest integrated tea operation, was Asia's largest software exporter, and the world's sixth largest manufacturer of watches (Titan). The guiding mission of the Tata group was stated by JRD Tata in the following words: "No success or achievement in material terms is worthwhile unless it serves the needs or interests of the country and its people."⁶

All the individuals who headed Tata institutions emphasized the importance of philanthropy and the utilization of wealth to enhance the quality of public life. The core values espoused by the group included integrity, understanding, excellence, unity and responsibility (Refer Exhibit II for the Core Values of the Tata group). The values of the founders are reflected in the mission statement of the group, which lays great emphasis on CSR.

The group's mission statement states, "At the Tata group, our purpose is to improve the quality of life of the communities we serve. We do this through leadership in sectors of national economic significance, to which the group brings a unique set of capabilities...