Many others have shown some interest. In the past, most people used to consider economic development as more important and social development as its lesser partner. However, of late this position has changed considerably and people have moved closer to implementing human-centred community development programmes. Involvement of industries in development programmes can be viewed in many perspectives, such as social responsibility, an atoning ritual that compensates in a small way for the gains received by way of profit, or an activity that helps to improve the image of the corporate body and to promote business.
Industries can adopt many types of approaches to involve in community development.
Direct involvement is where industries take up the development tasks directly. The industry designs and implements its own projects and programmes or can employ development specialists. It can create a new cell or division, either independently or along with other industries with a similar motivation for this purpose. Such an activity can bring prestige and give the industry control over the programme. But it can also lead to problems.