Sometimes the effect, in spite of the hardship, is a net benefit for a society and two recent events have handsomely reflected the aspirations of corporate social responsibility (CSR).

The first was the death of entrepreneur and philanthropist Sir Allen McClay, who made no secret of his commitment, not only to developing business in the Province, but supporting the family at his company Almac. The expression of sadness at his death and admiration for his principled outlook are testimony to his stance.

Similarly, the threat to Cadbury posed by the proposed takeover of the firm by US-owned Kraft has thrown into relief the charitable stance taken more than 100 years ago by Joseph Rowntree who built the Bournville factory as an exercise in CSR, providing his workforce with good housing and a healthy environment in return for their labour.

Which could be why, as it begins to celebrate its 21st year in operation, Business in the Community Northern Ireland (BITC) has seen a rise in membership and a growing commitment from companies keen to contribute something to their workforce and the wider community from where they draw their custom.

The format is straightforward if diverse, embracing four main sectors, environment, the economy, social impact and workplace; each offering an opportunity for firms to help develop the community and their staff.

Helen Bowman is Communications Manager in the Belfast office and has spent her first year in the job watching the recession unfold with somewhat unlikely results.

“We have lost a number of companies from membership, but those that we have lost, we have replaced and more,” she says.

“We have recruited 22 new companies last year and we lost just nine.

“People are really going back to the drawing board in terms of their values. The recession hasn’t been good for anybody but, in a way, it has helped people to stop think and regroup.