Amanda Hoeschle – 300206028

We, as up and coming managers, should understand that in the private sector managers should intend to maximize profits for their host company but simultaneously pursue social objectives, even at the cost of lowering profits. I will argue that New York State Electric and Gas Corporation (NYSEG) Project Share is both altruistic and good business with supporting claims from Edward Freeman and opposing views from Milton Freidman and John Boatright.

Edward Freeman, having a Kant view, sees Project Share as contributing value to the various groups that are connected to NYSEG including shareholders. Project Share is consistent with its fiduciary responsibility to its shareholders. Project Share utilizes non-maleficence, beneficence, justice, and autonomy by ensuring that customers who cannot pay their bills on time have financial aid. This also creates value for NYSEG by becoming a positive image in the public eye, retaining customers, and creates more jobs. The money that would have been lost any how from outstanding bills is used to create beneficence.

Conversely, Milton Freidman, who also has a Kant view, sees Project Share as not fulfilling your duty to your shareholders, which is to maximize profit. Spending shareholder’s money on the less fortunate consumers who cannot pay their bills is breaking non-maleficence and beneficence. I think he would remind NYSEG of the invisible hand, which states that society is much better off if we can rely on the self-interest of the company to do its duty to provide us with energy rather than relying on beneficence or social responsibility.

Lastly, John Boatright, who has a Utilitarian view, may argue that a successful corporation should be creating value for all stakeholders but it is not the executive’s objective to create value. If they are running the company correctly, then the