Ethical Responsibilities of CSR (Revised Annotation 2)

Carroll (2006) defined that the ethical responsibilities are “to do what is right, just, and fair, and avoid harm.” Although the business ethics do not have precise regulations, they are considered as the stricter standard than the laws. Whether actions and practices of business correspond with ethics or not is judged by the public. One of the important foundations for companies is the reputation, which is associated with the business ethics. A successful company is widespread with a better public reputation. Entrepreneurs can enhance reputation for their companies by having ethical responsibilities.

        In 2010, Josephson’s study of ethical principles showed that the business executive success is related to these 12 principles: “honesty, integrity, promise-keeping, loyalty, fairness, concern for others, respect for others, law abiding, commitment to excellence, leadership, reputation and morale, and accountability.” However, in recent years, the businessmen have gradually lost the fairness and honesty. According to the recent news, there are many tainted foods reported on TV, which makes the general public nervous and scared. For instance, the products are marked natural chlorophyll, but in fact, they involve copper chlorophyllin extract.

I believe that everyone’s ultimate destination is having a better life. The entrepreneurs’ ethical responsibilities are having good intentions of business instead of lies. Besides, entrepreneurs cannot use the power to exploit employees or workers, which causes the inappropriate existence of “sweatshop.” Instead, they need to give employees or workers a good place to work and adequate salaries. Furthermore, the behavior or decisions entrepreneurs do can be openly examined by the public. In 2006, Carroll’s arguments of supporting CSR claimed that “because business has a reservoir of management talent, functional expertise, and capital, and because so many others have tried and failed to solve general social problems, business should be given a chance. These arguments have some merit, because there are some social problems that can be handled, in the final analysis, only by business.” The key point lies in whether entrepreneurs want to do, such as the problems of pollution.

According to the Global Human Development Report 2006, which was proclaimed by United Nations Development Programme, there are over one billion people in the world having no clean water, and 1.8 million children die of diarrhea every year. Because of the water pollution, Belu Water, which is a company selling bottled mineral water, was founded. They use recycled materials and are carbon neutral, which conforms to the environment-friendly conception. Belu Water is also devoted to the plan about improvement of water resources.

        Having ethical responsibilities has been considered as an important and meaningful issue by more and more people in the recent years. Although the businessmen would face the ethical dilemma, they should try to overcome it. The sustainable management of business includes “greater customer loyalty” and “a more satisfied and productive workforce.” What you gain is from what you are devoted. If you want to have strong viability in the marketplace, you must have ethical responsibilities.

Figure 1: The business case for CSR

Figure 2: Top 20 activities/ characteristics of socially 

responsible companies

Sources of citation:     

                                                                                         

1.   Archie B. Carroll & Ann K. Buchholtz (2006). Business, society, and stakeholders: Corporate citizenship: social responsibility, responsiveness, and performance. In Dave Shaut (Ed.), Business & Society: Ethics and Stakeholder Management, 6th edition (pp. 29-60). Mason, Ohio: South-Western.

2.   Josephson, M. (2010). Business ethics & leadership: 12 ethical principles for business executives. Retrieved October 30, 2013, from Free Management Library Web site: http://josephsoninstitute.org/business/blog/2010/12/12-ethical-principles-for-business-executives/

3.     Drupal & NETivism (n.d.). Belu Water. Retrieved November 13, 2013, from Social Enterprise Insights Web site: http://www.seinsights.asia/info/8/1444

Source of figure 1 and 2:

       Archie B. Carroll & Ann K. Buchholtz (2006). Business, society, and stakeholders: Corporate citizenship: social responsibility, responsiveness, and performance. In Dave Shaut (Ed.), Business & Society: Ethics and Stakeholder Management, 6th edition (pp. 29-60). Mason, Ohio: South-Western.