intervention.
Another example could be a social cause, such as creating housing for single parents in poverty-stricken
neighborhoods in a specific city. The impact can be felt in terms of the additional housing that is created (built
or rehabbed from existing homes), and the value that this effort brings to the neighborhood. The number of
people helped can be measured. The city’s rate of homelessness can be measured as it is reduced. Then, there
are other equally important results of social responsibility that can be considered, such as the reduced rate of
crime in areas with homeowners, and an increase in employment for those who own the homes. These
indirect benefits have an impact on the company because it can eventually hire people from these areas of the
city.
Businesses must be continually mindful of the image that they project to the world and be sure to align their
corporate social responsibility campaigns with their culture. An authentic cause that is backed by all is far
better than one that is dreamt up purely for the sake of marketing.
Assessment Questions
1. Define business ethics.
2. Who decides the business ethics for a company?
a.
The HR department.
b.
The employees.
c.
Leadership.
d.
Consultants.
3. All of the following are examples of results of unethical business actions except:
a.
Recruitment and retention problems.
b.
Lower employee salaries.
c.
Negative employee relations.
d.
Poor company reputation.
4. Ethical rules can be based on deep values of an organization which may include:
a.
Quality of products and services.
b.
Commitment to customers.
c.
How the organization gives back to the community.
d.
All of the above.
5. According to Kimberlee Leonard of the Houston Chronicle the elements that belong in a Code of Conduct for
a company include all of the following except:
a.
Office Hours.
b.
Professional behaviors.
c.
Regulatory ethics.
d.
Legal considerations.
6. What’s the definition of Corporate Responsibility?
7. Where did the term Corporate Responsibility originate?
Chapter 3 Business Ethics and Social Responsibility
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