BUS FPX 4801 Assessment 4 Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility Policy

Student Name

Capella University

BUS-FPX4801 Ethics and Enterprise

Prof. Name

Date

CSR Meets Profit: Conflicts and Complements

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies, while fundamentally concerned with ethical conduct and human treatment, are inevitably intertwined with public perception and the financial success of the company. This intersection often creates tension as ethical behavior does not always align with profitable outcomes. Despite corporations being driven by profit, there are inherent limits imposed by individuals within and outside these entities for the betterment of society. However, there exists a concept of selfish altruism, where actions benefiting oneself can also benefit others indirectly. For instance, while it may be ethically purer to perform good deeds without publicity, publicizing such actions is not inherently unethical. Thus, corporations can navigate this tension by leveraging altruism as a marketing tactic, a strategy known as “cause marketing.” This approach has historical precedence, as seen in the case of 7-Eleven’s “Endangered Species Cups” campaign in 1973, despite its potential negative environmental impact outweighing the charitable donation.

BUS FPX 4801 Assessment 4 Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility Policy

Creating the perception of social responsibility is often easier than effecting substantial societal change, as impressions require less sincere effort. Therefore, corporate executives should shift their focus from influencing public perception to genuinely contributing to a better world. While prioritizing profit may not always align with ethical imperatives, directing efforts towards societal benefit ultimately serves humanity’s interests.

The Ethical Dilemma and Its Impact

Profit extraction from labor lies at the heart of the ethical dilemma confronting modern corporations. However, labeling it a “dilemma” suggests an equal debate between ethical courses of action, which may not accurately represent the situation. The current profit-driven system perpetuates societal inequities, evident in issues such as homelessness and child hunger, stemming from an imbalanced distribution of resources rather than scarcity. This pervasive problem extends across all for-profit enterprises, affecting stakeholders at various levels.

The Ethical Approach

Addressing this issue ethically necessitates considering a national and global perspective, beyond individual or group actions. While utilitarian approaches may offer solutions, they are critiqued for oversimplifying complex ethical issues. Regardless of philosophical frameworks, ensuring the well-being of marginalized groups requires a commitment to common good principles, whether through corporate or governmental policies.

The Corporate Policy

Initiating change is feasible through adopting policies that promote democratic decision-making and common ownership within corporations. For instance, redistributing profits equitably among workers can mitigate the adverse effects of profit-driven motives, allowing for more sustainable and socially responsible business practices.

Conclusion

Continuing to prioritize profit over societal well-being is unsustainable and exacerbates existing disparities. Addressing these challenges requires a fundamental restructuring of economic systems to prioritize the needs of all individuals. Failure to do so will perpetuate widespread suffering and potentially catastrophic consequences.

References

Sylvester, B. (2019, December 24). FACT CHECK: Are There More Than 633,000 Homeless People And 13.9 Million Vacant Homes In The US? Check_your_fact; Check Your Fact. https://checkyourfact.com/2019/12/24/factcheck-633000-homeless-million-vacant-homes/

Wikipedia Contributors. (2021, September 25). Cause marketing. Wikipedia; Wikimedia Foundation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cause_marketing

BUS FPX 4801 Assessment 4 Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility Policy