Corporate citizenship affects how organizations relate with society although it is mostly perceived as a marketing strategy. Political competence in health care takes place when the executives are able to identify certain stake holders and convince them to partner in activities concerning the health sector. This paper seeks to explain the relationship between corporate citizenship and political competence.
Economic globalization has necessitated corporations to play an essential role in poverty elimination, ensuring accountability in government systems and the environment. When corporates are perceived as part of the society, harmful effects of irresponsible business are avoided while ensuring the well-being of environment and humanity. The relationship between corporate citizenship and political competence is one of the most significant concerns in the corporate social responsibility agenda. Although several initiatives address the relationship between corporate citizenship and political competence, comprehensive understanding has not been attained (Mclntosh, 2001).
Corporate citizenship activities include community supports, charitable contributions and health care initiatives. As much as corporate citizenship is viewed as a market based approach in developed societies, it is important in places where there is weak public governance. In health care organizations, corporate social responsibility has led to organizations delivering goods in sectors beyond their core competency. Businesses in co-ordination with the society can point out problematic areas in public governance. This is an appropriate platform for the public to take up its role as a watchdog and thereby monitor the activities of such organizations.
For an organization to be a good corporate citizen, it needs to observe high standards of business ethics, preserve the environment and exhibit substantial commitment towards the well being of the community. Political competence in an organization takes place when the management confidently executes its work plan with the full support of employees. In addition, the executives need to identify stakeholders who will assist in the achievement of the organization's objectives. Good political competence wins the support of personnel, stakeholders and the general public (Davenport, 2000).
Some of the drivers to corporate citizenship include social pressures and the deeply embedded values of corporate leaders. Since health institutions benefit from corporate social responsibility as other businesses, they have an advantage in that by participating, health is enhanced in the society hence the core purpose is achieved. However, due to the relationship between achieving the core purpose and involvement in corporate citizenship, healthcare organizations have a distinct citizenship incentive. By giving prioritizing citizenship and sustaining citizenship performance, healthcare organizations can build corporate citizenship competence (Scherer, 2008).
The senior executives in health care organizations should be good corporate citizens and politically competent so as to be able to address the key policy issues. When an executive representing the organization is not credible, the testimony given when addressing core issues might not hold. Certain skills and individual behaviors such as honesty, excellent communicator and confidence in high level appearances are essential for political competence and good corporate citizenship. Conceptually, senior leadership of health care organizations would not pursue corporate citizenship and they would not be concerned about operating in ethical business practices or having an excellent environmental record. The driving force in health care organizations is likely to be community benefit obligations, political correctness and the desire to be a good corporate citizen (Davenport, 2000).
In conclusion, the competences that are crucial in health care organizations keep on evolving due to the environmental and competitive circumstances. Therefore the executives need to seek for different methods of achieving their strategic goals. Political competence is one of the ways through which organizations can be able to work with other stakeholders for mutual benefit to the society and the corporate as a whole. Overall, corporate citizenship is strongly related to political competence since it is inherent for health care executives Political competence is attained when health care executives instill confidence amongst stakeholders, employees and the served community.