Corporate Social ResponsibilityCorporate Social Responsibility

The Meaning of Corporate Social Responsibility How Corporate Social Responsibility Began The Corporate Social Responsibility Debate Balancing Economic, Legal, and Social Responsibilities

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Exhibit 3.A

Websites emphasizing corporate socialresponsibility for various stakeholders

• Responsible Shopper (www.responsibleshopper.org)

• Social Funds (www.socialfunds.com)

• CorpWatch (www.corpwatch.org)

• Business and Social Initiatives Database (oracle02.ilo.org/vpi/welcome)

• Capital Partnership Group (cog.kent.edu)

• The Green Business Letter (www.GreenBiz.com)

Corporate Social ResponsibilityCorporate Social Responsibility

A corporation should be held accountable for any of its actions that affect people, their communities, and their environment.

Requires companies to balance the benefits to be gained against the costs of achieving those benefits.

Iron Law of Responsibility:In the long run, those who do not use power in ways society

considers responsible will lose it.

Figure 3.1Foundation principles of

corporate social responsibilityCharity Principle Stewardship Principle

Definition Business should give voluntary aid to society’s needy persons and groups

Business, acting as a public trustee, should consider the interests of all who are affected by business decisions and policies

Type of Activity

--Corporate philanthropy

--Voluntary actions to promote the social good

--Acknowledging business and society interdependence

--Balancing the interests and needs of many diverse groups in society

Examples --Corporate philanthropic foundations

--Private initiatives to solve social problems

--Social partnerships with needy groups

--Enlightened self-interest

--Meeting legal requirements

--Stakeholder approach to corporate strategic planning

Figure 3.2

The pros and cons of corporate social responsibility

.

Arguments for Corporate Social

Responsibility

Balances corporate power with responsibility.

Discourages government regulation.

Promotes long-term profits for business.

Improves business value and reputation.

Corrects social problems caused by business.

Arguments against Corporate Social

Responsibility

Lowers economic efficiency and profit.

Imposes unequal costs among competitors.

Imposes hidden costs passed on to stakeholders.

Requires social skills business may lack.

Places responsibility on business rather than individuals.

Figure 3.3

The multiple responsibilities of business

Economic Responsibility

Legal Responsibility

Social Responsibility

Exhibit 3.BTwo views of corporate social

responsibility

The shareholder view•The only social responsibility of business is to create shareholder wealth legally and with integrity.

•Corporate management cannot decide what is in the social interest.•The costs of social responsibility which do not increase the value of stock, will be passed on to consumers by way of higher prices, or to employees as lower wages, or to shareholders as lower returns.

The multiple stakeholders view• All customers and employees are treated with dignity.• Investor trust must be honored.• Relationships with suppliers must be based on mutual respect.• Belief in fair economic competition.• Business can contribute to social reform and honor human rights.