Abstract In this article, the writer notes that today, the excellence of companies is not rated purely on their competitive nature and profits made. In fact, their social responsibilities, contributions and attitudes are also considered a huge part of their image and popularity. The writer discusses that major industries, entrepreneurs and managers have the additional responsibility to oblige the needs and rights of their workers, their customers, the societies and communities they serve as well as the overall atmosphere. In this paper, the writer studies the corporateresponsibility of Gap enterprises in order to understand the manner in which multi-national corporations are currently defining and managing their responsibilities with regards to human and environment right as well as the labor or workforce demands and needs. The writer concludes that Gap Inc. is one of the leading enterprises in the world that realizes its social responsibility and acts according to its obligation to the community by engaging and initiating ventures that can help in the enhancement of working environments, employee expansion, environmental awareness, efficient and satisfying labor supply chains, etc.
Outline:
Introduction
Gap Enterprises
Supply Chain Labor Environments
Employee Growth
Community Investment
Environmental Issues
Conclusion
From the Paper "The GAP enterprises realize their responsibility and accountability to the community and also realize that their success lies in the networking that they are able to do with the community they are in and the way that the community responds to them. Hence, they have made sure that they correctly assess and evaluate all their strategies and how they affect their own commerce and the environment of the community both in the short and the long term. The GAP enterprise does well in adapting their objectives in accordance with the community i.e. in developed markets they target the strong-minded and independent youngsters while in the developing markets they target the women to help them break out of the contemporary cycle and enhance their work capacities.
"With the increase in the social responsibility of the corporations and business entities, the GAP enterprises like many other corporations now have to work hand in hand with the government if they want to make the community feel like they can trust the industry."
Abstract This paper defines and examines the concept of corporate social responsibility. It first discusses the importance and the scope of corporate social responsibility and looks at how it differs from personal ethics and responsibility. The paper then discusses various benefits of corporateresponsibility and looks at profits for a company with regards to its ethics.
Table of Contents:
Introduction: Definition of Social Responsibility Personal Ethics vs Social Responsibility Corporate Citizenship
Working Model/s
Expectations of CorporateResponsibility Benefits of Corporate Social Responsibility Profits and CorporateResponsibility Conclusion: Are We the Salt of the Earth?
From the Paper "Supporters of corporate social responsibility uphold that the higher goal of an economic system is to further the general social welfare (University of Miami 2004). Advance economies recognize that the purpose of business lodges beyond maximizing efficiency and profit. More and more, society expects businesses to sustain it. And businesses must rely on the inputs of society for their success and survival. The bottom line is that no business can exist separately from society or the community. On account of this, businesses face the obligation contribute to the well-being of the community on which it heavily depends (University of Miami). That symbiosis is what gives flavor to the world or makes the corporate social responsibility enforcer the veritable "salt of the earth.""
Abstract The paper defines social responsibility and confirms that it includes many different stakeholders with varying needs.The decisions an organization makes may be acceptable by societal standards, but not with the highest point of integrity. The findings presented by the paper provide strong evidence of the many facets of social responsibility. The paper addresses in detail the subject of social responsibility as well as corporateresponsibility.
Outline:
Defining Social Responsibility Separating Personal Ethics from Corporate Social Responsibility Defining Corporate Citizenship
Working Model of CorporateResponsibility Responding to CorporateResponsibility Expectations
Reaping the Benefits of Social Responsibility Is it Profits That Really Matter?
Are We The Salt of the Earth?
From the Paper "It is one thing for a company to define its social responsibility. It is another thing to define a step-by-step strategy for carrying out this policy. As noted, there are several key stakeholders in the definition of corporate social responsibility: customers, employees, business partners, the environment, communities and investors. Corporate social responsibility is the way to manage these six responsibilities. This is not easy, since there are overlapping and separate obligations. A working model has to be developed for interpreting and implementing the social responsibility actions. "
A discussion on corporate social responsibility of television networks defined in this paper as, "business decision-making linked to ethical values, compliance with legal requirements, and respect for people, communities, and the environment".
Abstract The following paper focuses on the social responsibility of television networks in their depiction of violence. The writer gives a general introduction of the ethical issues of corporateresponsibility and outlines the specifics of the corporateresponsibility of television networks in their depiction of violence on television. Recommendations are given to help formulate a policy that addresses this issue. This paper also delves into the details of the implementation and evaluation of the policy to address the responsibility of television networks for violence shown on television.
From the Paper "I believe that it is not unreasonable to hold corporations to the same, if not a greater, responsibility toward the rest of society. The actions of corporations can affect, quite literally, millions of people. We only need to look at the Nestle Infant Milk Formula controversy for an especially distasteful example. Here, Nestle used misleading marketing to sell artificial infant formula to third-world children, resulting in the death of millions of these babies. See Dobbing (1988) for a detailed description of this case. Closer to home, the recent Enron scandal is another example how the actions of a corporation can damage millions of lives."
Abstract This paper examines the various parties to whom corporations are responsible. This issue is multi-faceted, encompassing not only to whom corporations owe their allegiance, but also the extent of their obligations. Corporateresponsibility is considered in terms of an evolutionary process. Some of the liabilities conflict with one another, whereas others may depend on an individual corporate culture. Also discussed is the role of the CEO and their potential liability in the corporation and its actions.
From the Paper "In the face of all the scandals plaguing modern corporations, it is ironic to consider the origins of the corporation. Corporations were formed for two primary reasons; limiting responsibility and growing profits. The first purpose of a corporation is independent of corporate size; even small business owners can incorporate their businesses into limited liability corporations (LLCs), which function as individual entities and protect the personal assets of the corporation's owners from financial attack in the face of corporate liability. For example, a person running an in-home pet-sitting business may choose to incorporate the business. By incorporating, the business itself is treated as an entity. Therefore, even if the owner of the business himself brings about a circumstance that makes the corporation liable, such as leaving open a gate and allowing a client's prize-winning pet to escape, the corporation can only be held liable to the limits of its corporate assets, rather than the assets of the individual owner. Ideally, this situation would allow someone to do business in an arena where it might otherwise be too financially risky to do so. However, the liability limiting functions of a corporation can also work to protect the unethical businessperson. By shifting corporate assets to the individual, in the guise of an over-inflated personal salary, an unscrupulous businessperson can do business in a way that leaves its clients vulnerable to wrongdoing. "
Abstract This paper looks at the need for corporate leaders to become more socially responsible from both an internal and external organizational perspective. The paper points out that it should be part of the corporate leader's duty to be socially responsible both in terms of an organization's internal relationship with its employees and in terms of its external relationship with the community.
From the Paper "While nowadays there are many major corporations who take some sort of pride in providing community support (even if, like pharmaceutical companies in AIDS-stricken Africa, they were literally forced by public pressure to do so) social responsibility comes from within, first. Among the first to recognize this "from within" idea was Dr. Edward Deming, who had to go to post-war Japan to get his ideas about teamwork and a "family" concept proven. He may have been one of the pioneers of creating an ethical standard as a sort of "contract" between employer and employee."
Abstract This paper reviews and discusses the history and background of Cisco Systems. According to the paper, Cisco Systems is the world leader in the development, design, manufacturing and selling of home, small business and enterprise networking, telecommunications and online security. The paper reports that Cisco is considered to be one of the most ethically astute and well-run companies in the United States today, receiving many awards for their work on social responsibility initiatives and corporate citizenship.
Outline:
Executive Summary
Financial Reports and Analysis
Internship Opportunities
Social Responsibility and Corporate Citizenship
Cisco Charitable Giving Programs
From the Paper "In terms of hiring interns from local colleges and universities, Cisco is one of the few companies to actually post open positions in their open jobs database accessible by anyone on the Internet. Cisco Internship Positions (2006) shows twenty six positions open today, all of them paying jobs, where the interns receive a stipend, and if their performance on the job is strong enough, the chance to come back after they finish their degrees and work for Cisco full-time. Numerous senior managers and directors in the company have completed their internships and come back to work for years at Cisco, progressing through the ranks of the company. It is commonplace to find at least two or three Vice Presidents at Cisco who have had this career progression as well. The company seeks interns in San Jose, California, the Research Triangle area of North Carolina, and at smaller engineering locations throughout the world."
Tags: charitable, giving, global, corporate, citizenship, disadvantaged, assistance, support
Abstract This paper examines why a high standard of ethical behavior is just as important for non-profit corporations as it is for for-profit corporations. The paper makes special reference to the recent problems with the United States Olympic Committee, which demonstrated that even non-profit organizations are subject to corporate failure and need to be monitored and regulated. The paper suggests that a responsible organization will in fact benefit from its own proper actions, as well as ultimately benefiting the wider business and social community.
From the Paper "To take up the moral objections first, one can argue that corporate social responsibility must be practiced because it is the right thing to do. A business executive should never find himself or herself asking the question: "If I conduct my business in an unethical way, how much more money will I make"? Rather, each individual must determine how much gain is reasonable and, having decided this, match those expectations of financial gain with a business that can be carried out in a responsible and moral fashion (www.business-ethics.org). This is true rather one is raising money for a charity or trying to make a profit."
Abstract This paper discusses corporate problems (i.e., mass layoffs, high CEO payoffs, discrimination in the work force) and examines how they are ultimately responsible for many of our social problems (i.e., crime, suicide, alcoholism, domestic violence etc).
From the Paper "What is a corporation? While there are numerous definitions floating around, I think that a corporation most clearly can be defined as an invention of the state. That is, the state grants a corporate charter, upon request by an individual or group of individuals, which permits private financial resources to be used for public purposes. One of the main advantages to an individual "incorporating" their business is in doing so they protect all of their personal assets and only that portion of the money that is invested in the corporation is at risk. In other words, creditors of the corporation cannot come after the individual's private home and money to secure payment for the corporation's debt. Sounds like a good deal, right? Well, during the early years after the ratification of the United States, many believed that the granting of corporate charters would assist in the expansion of the state in which the corporation existed (Shah). However, not everyone was in favor of granting corporate charters and viewed them as having the ability to attain great power. wayside. In fact, one of the biggest victories for corporate power came in 1886 when the United States Supreme Court declared that a corporation was an individual and was, therefore, entitled to the same rights as a person (Shah). The Supreme Court, in reliance upon the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution which was enacted to protect the rights of freed slaves, ruled that a private corporation is a natural person under the United States Constitution, thereby entitling it to all the rights afforded to citizens of the United States, including the right to free speech (Robbins 100). The ramifications of such a ruling are still felt today. By allowing corporation's this right, we have effectively allowed them to influence government by lobbying legislatures, use of the mass media, establish educational business schools, and donate money to political candidates. In essence, the corporations are allowed in all walks of government influence and have more power than an individual citizen who could never compete with the wealth and power of corporations."
Tags:corporation, government, politics, problems, social
Abstract The writer first gives a background of the environmental movement and the awakening of world awareness surrounding the preservation of environmental resources. The paper then explains the ways in which corporations have chosen to relate to the issue, either claiming responsibility or denying a role in the race to preserve natural resources. The paper investigates the feasibility of incorporating the concept of sustainable development into commercial bank business lending decisions.
From the Paper "Bennett and James (1998) suggested that the appropriate approach is the development of a "green bottomline" that would be structured within the framework of managerial accounting. Managerial accounting, however, does not carry the force of financial accounting. Feltmate (1997) suggested that the link between accountability and corporate responsibility for protection of the physical environment be structured within the concept of accounting for sustainable development (ASD). ASD is manifested in many forms in the contemporary period, as the accounting profession in the industrialized nations has not developed a consensus on which of the several approaches to ASD should be adopted as the standard. What most proponents of the ASD concept do agree upon, however, is that non-market values must be incorporated into financial accounting in order to establish an effective link between accountability and corporate responsibility for the protection of the physical environment."
Abstract The paper discusses how Merck proceeded with the investment in Mectizan despite its poor prospects for profit that according to Milton Friedman, resulted in Merck not fulfilling its fiduciary duty to its shareholders. The paper explains Milton Friedman's theory but points out its limitations and assumptions regarding profits and shareholders. The paper shows how in the short-sighted Friedman sense, it was a poor decision but Merck considered the far-sighted generation of goodwill and its effects. The paper therefore shows how Merck's decision violated its fiduciary duty to its shareholders, but did not violate its overall corporateresponsibility, nor did it set an unusual or dangerous precedent for a free market society
From the Paper "Merck's decision to proceed with the development of Mectizan violated its fiduciary duty to its shareholders, but did not violate its overall corporate responsibility. Merck has stakeholders other than its shareholders who benefited from this decision. Moreover, Merck's decision fell within the normal course of business for the industry, so it did not set an unusual nor dangerous precedent for a free market society.
"Milton Friedman argues that the sole responsibility of business is to increase profits. The theory is that the profits are then distributed to shareholders, who in turn can do whatever they please with these distributions. Charity is an act that should be undertaken by the shareholders and may be encouraged by the government through its taxation and legal structure."
An assessment of the competing claims of the stockholder stakeholder approaches to corporate social responsibility, and a look at similarities and differences of each type of approach to responsibility.
2,515 words (approx. 10.1 pages), 10 sources, 2001, $ 76.95
Abstract This essay will discuss the competing claims of both the stockholder and the stakeholder approaches to corporate social responsibility. An explanation for corporate social responsibility will be provided and arguments will be put forward for similarities and differences in the stockholder and stakeholder approaches to this movement. Evidence to support these arguments will be provided throughout the essay.
From the paper:
"Before discussing the competing claims, it must be understood what is meant by the term corporate social responsibility. Corporate social responsibility is just one aspect of business ethics and has become increasingly important for companies operating in the global economy. It is a fast developing and increasingly competitive field. There is no single, commonly accepted definition of corporate social responsibility but it generally refers to the idea that businesses are accountable for the effects of their actions on the community and should seek socially and economically beneficial results. It involves operating a business in a way that meets ethical and legal standards as well as meeting public expectation. Decisions taken by managers need to satisfy the needs of the community and companies must be accountable for the way in which their results are achieved."
Abstract The paper explains that the essence of corporate ethical responsibility is the embracing of strategies that are transparent, easily accounted for and free from conflicts of interest. The paper explains how this was lacking in many corporations who found that through sophisticated trading and fund management, fake financial results could be created to give the illusion of greater profits, growth and earning potential. The paper discusses how the US Congress felt it necessary to legislate corporateresponsibility and ethics in the form of laws. The paper details the Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) legislation and relates that these laws are forcing companies to comply with legislation that will guarantee fiscal accountability and corporateresponsibility for ethical behavior.
Outline:
Defining Ethical Responsibility Enforcing CorporateResponsibility Sarbanes-Oxley is Redefining Corporate Ethics and Responsibility
From the Paper "The Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) legislation promises to be just the beginning of a tidal wave of compliance legislation that will influence organizations and their strategies to attain corporate responsibility for years to come. CEOs specifically are at the center of many of the compliance efforts, as they will be held personally responsible for any aberrations in reporting and financial data. The fact that many publicly-held companies are contending with as the revised deadline approaches for Section 404 compliance and are still not ready shows that even with legislation, corporate responsibility takes a strong commitment from C-level executives to become real in a company."
Abstract This paper discusses Australia's corporateresponsibility and corporate governance. The paper begins by analyzing the major schools of thought regarding corporateresponsibility and governance. The paper then compares the similarities and differences between US and Australian corporate governance. It concludes by discussing the Sarbanes-Oxley reforms in the US.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Analysis of Major Schools of Thought on CorporateResponsibility and Corporate Governance
Similarities and Differences of US and Australia's Corporate Governance and Responsibility The Sarbanes-Oxley Reforms in the US
Conclusion
From the Paper "On the other hand, the role of the directors in the corporations does not mean anything as such the shareholders do not have any "positive" control rights over the corporation granting them direct input into and say over how the corporation is governed or whether certain business opportunities are pursued. Shareholders are still given the right to vote for the board of directors, most importantly, and can make recommendations on governance and business matters to the board through the shareholder proposal process. They also have the right to vote on certain mergers and on any proposed sale of all or substantially all of the corporation's assets. Their approval as well recognized such that the company's articles of incorporation cannot be amended without them saying yes. They are also given the right to vote to amend the bylaws. Nevertheless, they do not have any authority to manage the day-to-day business directly or to set overall corporate policy and strategy, unless granted such control in the certificate of incorporation, which happens rarely, if ever. (Paredes, 2004)"
Abstract This paper examines how social responsibility is an important concern of corporations and community alike. In particular, it discusses the important tool of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and how firms use it. The paper looks at how it is usually used for financial gains or for enhancing a company's image and how some firms might engage in it for purely philanthropic reasons. The paper recommends uses for corporate soical responsibility and discusses how it can be tied with better financial health.
Outline:
Introduction
Theory and Assumptions
How Social Responsibility Affects Business
Recommendations
References
From the Paper "Social responsibility has also become a buzzword because of the availability of large variety of similar goods. When a product comes into the market, it has to fight very hard for consumer's attention because there are several other rival goods competing for the same. A marketing and design consultant (Neuborne, 1991) states: "There was a time when you bought a product just for its price or performance...but with the number of products available, it is increasingly difficult to differentiate one product from another." In this situation, a consumer may base his buying decision on company's image and its commitment to public good. This is clearly indicated by a book, 'Shopping for a Better World' that has been selling millions of copies since it first came out in the market."
