Social Responsibility and Social Security: The Foundation of Caja de Pensiones para la Vejez y de Ahorros

Abstract

Spain, savings bank, corporate social responsibility, social security, welfare state,

Corporate Social Responsibility in the First Years of Caja de Pensiones para la Vejez y de Ahorros

“…In a previous work (Argandoña et al, 2010), we outlined the reasons for this affirmation: the profound sense of social and ethical responsibility felt by its founder, Francesc Moragas; a specific response to the problem widely felt in Spanish society at the time and which the private entity decided to grapple with, notwithstanding the possible responses of the public sector to the same issues (which indeed were put in place a little later, largely thanks to Moragas' initiative), and the idea, well before its time, which Moragas had of collaboration between the public and private sectors in solving social issues.…”

“…As we noted in Argandoña et al (2010), the creation of ''la Caixa'' could be interpreted as a clear exercise of social responsibility, as a response to a serious immediate need: to bring about social reform, which ''is the most important problem that humanity has yet to resolve'' (Moragas, 1902b, p. 18), and do it precisely through a private institution, which was the Caja de Pensiones para la Vejez y de Ahorros.…”

“…5 Annual Report of the Caja de Pensiones, 1930. 6 We have amply developed these ideas in Argandoña et al (2010). 7 Recourse to credit could resolve a situation of temporary loss of income, but not a lasting reduction, such as that caused by serious illness or unemployment.…”

“…It was within this political, economic, and social framework that ''la Caixa'' was officially founded, on April 5th 1904 (Argandoña et al, 2010). Its first steps were taken during a period of moderate prosperity, from 1906.…”

Corporate Social Responsibility in the First Years of 'Caja De Pensiones Para La Vejez Y De Ahorros'

“…The creation of Caja de Pensiones para la Vejez y de Ahorros ('la Caixa') 2 in Barcelona in 1905 is a clear example of its founders' exercise in true corporate social responsibility. In a previous paper (Argandoña, Moreno, and Solà, 2009, in this issue), we outlined the reasons for this affirmation: the profound sense of social and ethical responsibility felt by its founder, Francesc Moragas; a specific response to the problem widely felt in Spanish society at the time and which the private entity decided to grapple with, irrespective of the possible responses of the public sector to the same issues (which indeed were put in place a little later, largely thanks to Moragas' initiative), and the idea, well before its time, which Moragas had of collaboration between the public and private sectors in solving social issues. Today, 'la Caixa' maintains the principles of social responsibility on which it was founded, with the usual ups and downs that may be expected from more than a century of existence.…”