...the legal system, unethical behavior is associated more with a set of values or a “source of guidance beyond enforceable laws” (Salvatore, 2015 p. 20). Corporate Social Responsibility Consumers find it difficult to trust corporate America after the exposure of countless fraudulent business transactions over the last two decades. The expectation for corporations to be ethical, forthright, and socially responsible seems to be an unrealistic expectation. The suggestion that making a profit should be the only social responsibility for business owners a lack of concern for the society and individuals from which those profits are made. It is because of statements like this one made by Milton Friedman that the concept of corporate social responsibility evolved. The “term is a generous one that encompasses various overlapping areas, such as corporate citizenship, stakeholder theory, business ethics, and corporate sustainability” (Popa & Salanta, 2014 p.138). I agree that corporations should make a profit; however that should not be their only responsibility. When one becomes consumed with self, judgment becomes cloudy. Scripture teaches us that “For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required” (Luke 12:48, NKJV). Popa, M., & Salanta, I. (2014). Corporate social responsibility versus corporate social irresponsibility. Management & Marketing,9(2), 137-146. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/1618069560?accountid=12085...
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...DAVID versus GOLIATH - SODA INDUSTRY Without a doubt, companies have ethical obligation to protect people through products that they make. In this age of Corporate Citizenship, Social Responsibility, Environmental Issues, Product Liability and other Legal Issues, Federal Government Regulations and Oversight such as Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and other Health and Food Safety Organization, Corporations (Goliath) that violate “do no harm” ethic or imperative or the first rule of business conduct cannot claim they did not get the memo to produce safe and health products for consumers (David). Corporate Leaders directly and indirectly include the promise to do no harm in their corporate Vision, Mission, Goals, and Objectives. Peter Karoff, a Thought Leader and an...
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...environment in the narrow senses, others felt that AES should expand its concerns to include people and their quality of life” (AES Global Values, 2000). This presents a major ethical dilemma of whether or not the company should continue its traditional focus on meeting “social responsibility” values through CO2-offset programs as the company expands worldwide. Summarize the various issues regarding AES’s commitment to social responsibility There are many issues regarding AES’s commitment to social responsibility, a core part of AES’s culture is the commitment to their shared principles or “corporate values.” These principles describe how the individuals at AES endeavor to commit themselves to the Company’s mission of serving the world by providing “safe, clean, reliable and inexpensive energy.” The first and largest issue of AES’s commitment to social responsibility is that team members “felt that accepting a lower environmental standard in India - even one consistent with local and World Bank requirements - would be abandoning everything AES stood for.” The second issue is that AES, as a global company, should “maintain uniform standards worldwide” in order to uphold their commitment to social responsibility. If AES recognizes that one technology is cleaner than another, they should endeavor to commit themselves to providing the cleanest, safest technology possible to be considered truly socially responsible in...
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...u07a1 Project – Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility For this project component, you generally assess the impact of corporate social responsibility policy on the workplace and corporate America. * Assess how, and to what extent, corporate social responsibility can be meshed with a corporation's obligation to maximize profits for its shareholders. Generally, CSR and the obligation of corporation functions hand in hand so that the company can be productive. The intention of any organization is to be lucrative, or to maximize its profits. When an organization works together the returns for the shareholders is undeniable. If the organization acquires the proper approach to interlock the two as one, profits will maximize while at the same time the organization will attract other shareholders through constant corporate social responsibility determination. While the notion of “corporate social responsibility,” may have once been regarded as a corporate philanthropy, it has quickly become a crucial part of any large company’s long-term strategy – not just in marketing, but in recruiting, too: As consumers are ever more concerned with where products come from, employees now want more from their employer than a paycheck. They want a sense of pride and fulfillment from their work, a purpose and importantly a company’s whose values match their own. Not only is CSR crucial to recruiting talented employees, it’s also a great way to maintain the engagement of your existing work...
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...2 2. Corporate Social Responsibility 3 i. TRIPLE BOTTOM LINE 3 ii. GOOGLE'S CSR REFUSAL/ACCEPTANCE: DEFENSIVE STANCE 4 3. Conclusion 6 4. ARTICLE– Google paying a fraction of the tax in Australia it should 7 5. REFERENCEs 9 1. Introduction It is without a doubt that globalisation has been the driver of the increased link between nations, allowing for the operation of many organisations in borderless economies. As globalisation continues to impact organisations, they are forced to undertake new and innovative approaches in order to maintain or gain a competitive advantage. As a result of this, many ethical issues have come to light, so it is important to acknowledge organisations adopting methods of corporate social responsibility. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) essentially encompasses the refraining from any action that will attract unfavourable publicity due to its social unacceptability (Carroll, 2010). The concept of CSR has proven to be an area of focus in recent times, especially in regards to consumers and stakeholders. This report will explore Google Inc’s corporate social responsibility when implementing strategies in tax dealings in order to reap the benefits of globalisation, especially as CSR’s importance and significance continues to grow. (Carroll, 2010). Google is a well-renowned American multinational technology company which provides a service to individuals worldwide. Google takes pride in undertaking corporate social responsibility in the...
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...Sanhay Rafati, who argues that if the bribe is not paid his office, will not be able to make payroll or maintain its ambulances, and that the company will face a terrible financial situation. The only alternative ZHL can take at this point is to take out a loan with a high interest rate, which will result in lower profits and may not be financially sustainable long-term. The founders of ZHL have pledged to operate with complete transparency and never pay bribes in its business transactions. As Mangal explains to Rafati, their commitment to these principles is absolute-part of ZHL’s DNA. ZHL operate in a highly corrupt environment in which it’s trying to change by example. Bribery is so common place that it’s viewed simply as part of doing business. Refusing to bribe the official can be detrimental, but ZHL has not only grown rapidly but has earned an international reputation that has attracted the investors. Furthermore, Indian society appears to be evolving, spanning a grassroots movement to combat corruption. What is the right decision and how can it be implemented? This case explores the complex issue of conflict of interest versus corporate social responsibility. The case also examines the different moral models such as deontology-does ZHL have the duty to act in an ethical way based on founding morals regardless of the...
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...taken a stance against the previous operational strategy that a business exists only to make profit without any consideration or regards to anything else in the world as said by the economist Milton Friedman in his essay “deriding the idea that a business had any responsibility other than to maximise its profits within legally and ethically acceptable margins, arguing that ‘a corporate executive is an employee of the owners of the business. A few new theories were introduced in the famous essay written by Milton Friedman. These theories suggested that the only reason a business exists is to make profit and this is done through the actions of all the executives of any business. The only reason an executive is employed is to take decisions that will have a direct affect on the profitability of a business and thus in effect it will be the consequent to the livelihoods of the employees of any corporation. It is exactly for these beliefs that the idea of a socially responsible corporation seems like a far-fetched one in the era when this philosophy was hailed as the cornerstone of the ideology required for any business operation, where the only reason a business existed was to make money and that’s all. The whole argument involves around the case of CSR, how exactly to describe the definition is where the ambiguity starts, or does it? Within the economic industry the main responsibility of any corporation has been to make money and to increase the business value for the shareholders...
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...Corporate greed, by definition, is when a company chooses to place significance on increasing profits in a way that harms employees, consumers and the environment. It occurs when making money becomes the only goal, and the other company’s social responsibility is ignored. There is some debate with companies over whether they are being greedy versus looking for the best business practice. How can one tell if a company’s practice is defined as corporate greed or if the company is just working to reduce costs in order to increase profit growth? How much social responsibility does a company have to society and the environment? An article written by Edmund Bradley, about the problem with corporate greed, gave a perspective on these questions stating that “However greedy or altruistic a business person happens to be, the institutions of the market channel his or her motivation to a social end. Business must serve society in order to thrive,” (Bradley, 2003). In order for a business to grow and expand, they need to make a positive impression on society. Especially in today’s market, with consumers focusing on what companies are doing to the environment and how to find ‘green’ products. Society want to know that the companies making millions of dollars are using their influence and power to do good things in the world around them. Another perspective, however, is that companies have to only focus on the growth and profit of the company. They should work to please shareholders...
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...intervention is necessary but it makes a important point what the government does? Which ways it chooses? Defining the guidelines and rules of a responsible business is definitely a part of governments duties, but the degree of their intervention into the business decisions which may touch the “profits” part is to be checked every time they try to introduce a policy for functioning of businesses. What are or should to be the core purpose of the private sector and of government? The core competence of a private Organization is making profit legitimately. If it cheats, by manipulating its accounts, or stock, or selling bad quality goods, or harming the environment, it should be punished by the government. For that is or should to be the primary purpose of the government, to govern and protect the interests of citizens against bad practices and exploitation. Today the government wants the private sector to take their job of providing social justice to people and provide reservations to socially backward people in the corporate world. This will damage the primary purpose of the Private organizations of making profits. Even the Government has failed to provide social justice to people and we can see many examples if we try to see their world, many people still live in remote places in the mountains and forests where the basic amenities like water, medical help, hygienic food, connectivity etc are a distant dream....
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...Government have the largest influence on Corporate Social Responsibility ? Introduction Carroll’s four responsibilities of business are economic, legal, ethical, and discretionary (Carroll, 1991). Economic responsibility is a business organization to produce goods or service to society, and creditors or shareholders can get return. Legal responsibility is defined in law by government that management is expected to follow. Ethical responsibility is organization management to obey the beliefs in a society. The last discretionary responsibility is the management of their own accord to take obligations, they do it by themselves, and not others force them to do (Carroll, 1991). Definition of Corporate Social Responsibility Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is defined as a business’s decisions or actions are made which take outcomes beyond the organization's economic profit into account in the decision making process (Carroll, 1991). Social responsibilities include ethical responsibilities and discretionary responsibilities. The difference between them was that less people expect a firm to perform discretionary responsibilities, while a lot of people expect a firm to perform ethical responsibilities. Discretionary responsibilities are like day-care centers, to training the hard-core unemployed and philanthropic contributions. A firm can take actions to perform its ethical responsibilities and discretionary responsibilities that society will value it but not put...
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...1007/s10551-011-0890-1 Between Profit-Seeking and Prosociality: Corporate Social Responsibility as Derridean Supplement Cameron Sabadoz Received: 3 December 2010 / Accepted: 5 May 2011 / Published online: 24 May 2011 Ó Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2011 Abstract This article revolves around the debate surrounding the lack of a coherent definition for corporate social responsibility (CSR). I make use of Jacques Derrida’s theorizing on contested meaning to argue that CSR’s ambiguity is actually necessary in light of its functional role as a ‘‘supplement’’ to corporate profit-seeking. As a discourse that refuses to conclusively resolve the tension between profit-seeking and prosociality, CSR expresses an important critical perspective which demands that firms act responsibly, while retaining the overall corporate frame of shareholder supremacy. CSR does this by ambivalently affirming both profit-seeking and prosociality, a necessary contradiction. Attempts to reduce CSR’s ambiguity can thus only succeed by undermining its viability as a normative discourse that captures how certain elements of society understand how firms should act. The analysis suggests that greater scholarly attention is needed with regard to the material discursive environments within which discourses such as CSR are deployed. A discursive approach to research could thus benefit future practitioners, who have to act according to fluid standards of responsibility that cannot be authoritatively...
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...Introduction For this paper I will be discussing Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) using Anglo-American and Primark case studies as examples. First, I will discuss what is meant by ethical business behavior. Second, I will discuss how Anglo-American and Primark apply ethics into their business practices. Third, I will discuss what the costs and benefits are to an organization when they behave ethically. Finally, I will choose one component from Svennson & Woods’ model from “A Model of Business Ethics”, and discuss how it is relevant for Anglo-American. Ethical Business Behavior Ethical business behavior refers to an organizations actions and policies that are synergetic with "doing the right thing" (Sethi, 2003). Similar to the inherent laws of society that man has established that promote specific behaviors and actions that are deemed appropriate to build trust and relationships that last, it is similar in corporations. In order to operate ethically, organizations must also establish a clearly defined set of principles and a culture of ethical compliance that builds trust and confidence with their employees and their customers (Paine, 1994). Ethical business behavior is a combination of values and normative ethics, which drive an organization. Additionally, ethical business behavior is expected by society as a whole. Svennson & Woods write, “Society does have expectations of business and of its business leaders” (Svennson & Woods, 2008)...
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...Chapter 2 Case Study 1. Corporate Social Responsibility challenges that companies in the apparel industry face in its supply chains around the world: Corporate social responsibility (CSR) has become a subject of increasing significance. Companies are usually faced with the benefits versus harm created by their operations around the world. In spite of the benefits a company may enjoy in their business venture, there are several social downfalls that they need to take responsibility for. Such downfalls include but are not limited to, lack of equality, employee safety & welfare, both of the home countries and the host countries. The opening profile highlighted the subcontracting of child labor by Primark. The case study highlighted the issue of work treatment & conditions by Nike. In addition, workers were underpaid & punished for refusing overtime. At this level, the ethicality of the companies are being challenged, with varying legal and cultural limits across borders. The main question a company should answer is how should their ethical standard be based? Should it based on the home country or the host country or can it be reconciled? If the company ignores its ethical responsibility to workers, how will that affect production and sales? Association in unethical business operations can be quite disastrous to companies. Another ethically challenging aspect is that companies are also limited by jurisdiction. In the instance of the host country, legislations may...
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...concept because his employees are happy and provide top notch customer service. Theory y managers are easier to teach than theory x managers. Whole Foods prides itself in employee training and keeping them up to date on current issues and technologies that better the company. Whole Foods builds human and social capital in several different ways. Like most companies, they hire and train their employees to be knowledgeable in a specific product or service area. Team members then work directly with team leaders to make decisions regarding their specific area as well as contributing to store decisions as well (Core Values). When it comes to social capital, Whole Foods focuses on sustainable agriculture. It is emphasized to the point that whole foods launched a loan program to help local independent producers. Along with the loan program, Whole foods does many other things that builds on social capital such as the Whole Planet Foundation, Whole kids foundation, Whole city foundation, and giving to the community(Core Values). . Each program is centered on educating people in nutrition and wellness. When a company builds excellent human capital, they are able to have stronger social capital....
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...Social Economy Within reading the articles of social enterprise versus the social economy I learned a lot about how each different organization plays a role in the market. Based on the reading and with doing some research I have found some key points that I agree and disagree upon. Based on the concept of a social enterprise and the concept of achieving a business strategy they can be structured for a non- profit or for profit organization. My only concern is that even though some are not for profit like The Red Cross still questions arise. Even though they are a non-profit organization the employers have to be getting something in order to meet the standard of living? And also the CEO of the red cross there making a profit? For example the CEO of the American Red Cross Marsha J. Evans yearly income was 651,957. So the question that comes up is how can they be considered non-profit if at the end of the day there making a great profit? Social enterprises differ in that, inversely, they do not aim to offer any benefit to their investors, except where they believe that doing so will ultimately further their capacity to realise their philanthropic goals. Many entrepreneurs, whilst running a profit focussed enterprise that they own, will make charitable gestures through the enterprise, expecting to make a loss in the process. However unless the social aim is the primary purpose of the company this is not considered to be social enterprise. The term is...
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