Corporate social responsibility

Instructions Let’s continue our efforts to apply some of the ethical theories we are learning about in the so-called “real world.” Some examples in works of the various video lectures we have watched, and textbook chapters we have read about so far, relate to individual actions, that is, specific behavior by a single person. However, ethics also applies to groups of people, including nations and other socio-cultural groups, as well as professional groups and institutions, such as professional associations and companies. Required Resource Watch this video from Harvard Business School online on the concept of corporate social responsibility: A short video overview of the concept of corporate social responsibility and how businesses and industries can consider their ethical obligations to others, both internally and externally. Supplemental Reading You can also read this related web article from Harvard Business School online that explains the four major types of Corporate Social responsibility Links to an external site. mentioned in the video: environmental responsibility, ethical responsibility, philanthropic responsibility, and economic responsibility. Then go on a web search to find an example of a business’ approach to corporate social responsibility. Examples might include a company’s ethics statement or specific projects/targets they commit to in their community. Feel free to look for a business or industry related to your major or career path, or perhaps look up a company you are interested in or for which you are a customer. Post a summary of the example and link to the article, website, and/or video so that others might also read/see it in its original form. Discuss how the example you found practices corporate social responsibilityand you are free to discuss whether it may be limited or seems superficial. Finally, consider how one or more of the ethical theories we are learning about might be underneath the reasoning or approach to corporate responsibility in the example you found (e.g., virtue ethics, utilitarianism, etc.) Minimum post length 300 words, please. Make sure you complete the Academic Integrity Screening for the main text of your discussion post. Simply format your main discussion post as a short one- or two-page paper (replies not needed and you may leave out any images if included) and upload it at the Academic Integrity Screening link for Discussion 4. (The same deadlines apply.) Then reply to at least two of your classmates’ posts with respectful comments, questions of curiosity, and work to make connections and comparisons between the ideas and concepts discussed. Replies should be at least three complete sentences and present substantive and specific ideas and/or examples. Supplemental Resource To understand the concept of corporate social responsibility a bit more deeply, you might listen to Professor Thomas Beschorner of the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland, who breaks down the concept a bit further with some specific global business examples: Or, to complicate your thinking (in a positive way), consider watching this TED Talk by Rachel Hutchisson, a tech executive who focuses on philanthropy. She argues that the role of individual human actors will again have a stronger role in developing ethical workplace-community relations, largely due to the importance of small to mid-size business. Required Reading Two key concepts/vocabulary in philosophy related to this idea : Beneficence is when an action or rule-based duty is intended to benefit others. Beneficent actions can be voluntary or obligatory. Both Mill and Kant discussed the moral psychology, strengths, and limitations around the concept of beneficence in their works. Read more at the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry on ” The Principle of Beneficence in Applied Ethics Links to an external site. .” False Dichotomy/False DilemmaToo often, we consider ethical issues as all-or-nothing situations; it is important we do not discuss the issues as concepts involved as false dilemmas. For example, corporate social responsibility does not create a false dilemma by dividing profit v. people or profit v. the planetit looks for shared solutions. Read more about the logic or rhetorical fallacy of creating a false dichotomy, or false dilemma Links to an external site. .