CHAPTER - 6

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF BUSINESS & BUSINESS ETHICS

• Introduction
A business enterprise should always do business keeping the people in mind, business is a
part & parcel of the society and it draws all the necessary resources from the society only so it
should have some social responsibilities. It should not do anything which is harmful to
interest of the society. It must not resort unethical means to increase profits. Here we shall
see a few ethics to be followed by businesses.

• Concept Mapping
- Concept of social responsibility
- Need for social responsibility
- Arguments for social responsibility
- Arguments against social responsibility
- Reality of Social responsibility
- Kinds of Social Responsibility
- Social Responsibility towards different interest groups
- Business and Environmental Protection
- Types of Pollution
- Causes of Protection
- Need for Pollution Control
- Role of Business in Environmental Protection
- Business Ethics
- Concepts of Business Ethics
- Elements of Business Ethics

• Key Terms

Social Responsibility
Social Responsibility of business refers to its obligation to take those decisions and perform
those actions which are desirable in terms of objectives and values of our society.

Environment
The environment is defined as a totality of natural & man-made things existing around us. It is
from the environment that the business draws its resources.

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Business Environment
It is a totality of all external forces with which the business interacts constantly but over
which it does not have any control. The environment influences the business directly to a
great extent.

Environmental Protection
It is the deliberate process of protecting the environment from existing or potential threats of
any nature.

Pollution
It is the process of emission or release of harmful substances into the environment which
harms human life, the life of other species and wasting or depleting scarce sources.

Ethics
Ethics is concerned with what is wrong & what is right in a society based on its moral values &
beliefs.

Business Ethics
It refers to the socially determined moral principles which should govern the business
activities.

Legal Responsibility
It is the obligation of the business to abide by the laws governing the place at which it exists.

Code of Ethics
Enterprises with effective ethics programs do define their principles of conduct for the whole
organization which is called the ‘Code of Ethics’.

• Concepts Explanation

Concept of Social Responsibility

Social Responsibility of business refers to its obligation to take those decisions and perform
those actions which are desirable in terms of objectives and values of our society.

Need for Social Responsibility

Opinions are divided over this issue, for some - Business is responsible only to its owners &
for others - It needs to be responsible for social welfare also. Anyhow a better business can
survive & grow only in a better society because it takes all resources from the society and
serve to the society. So businesses become integral part of the society, therefore they should
assume social responsibility.

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• Arguments for social responsibility

Justification for existence and growth

The ultimate motive of business is profit, as only profit can help the business grow and
expand. Profit should be made as an outcome of service to the society by means of producing
goods and services to satisfy human needs.

Long term interest of the firm

A firm and its image stand to gain maximum profits in the long run when it has its highest goal
as ‘service to society’. When increasing number of members of society feel that business
enterprise is not serving its best interest, they will tend to withdraw their cooperation to the
enterprise concerned. Therefore, it is in its own interest if a firm fulfills its social
responsibility.

Avoidance of government regulations

When a particular business is not socially responsible, government regulations tend to limit its
freedom. Therefore, it is believed that if businessmen are socially responsible, they can avoid
government regulations.

Maintenance of Society
Law alone can’t help out people with all the difficulties they face. When businesses turn
socially responsible they take care of the society’s need, the society is at peace. That means
business houses also have some responsibility to contribute something for social peace &
harmony.

Availability of Resources with Business

The business enterprises have huge financial resources, very efficient managers & contacts
and thereby they can ensure that a social problem can be solved easily, in the best way
possible.

Converting problems with opportunities

Business with its glorious history of making risky situations into profitable deals can not only
solve social problems but also make them effectively useful.

Better environment for doing business

If the business is to run in a society with diverse problems, the success of the business is
limited. Therefore, if the business takes measures to resolve the social problems, the business
can create a better environment for its functioning and thereby earn more profits.

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Holding business responsible for social problems
It is argued that many problems are created by the existence of business enterprise
themselves – like environmental pollution, discriminated employment, corruption etc.
Therefore it is the duty of business to set right the problems caused by them.

• Arguments against social responsibility

Violation of maximization of profit motive

This statement argues that business exist only for maximizing profits and businesses fulfill
their social responsibility best by maximizing profits by increasing efficiency and reducing
costs. They need not take up any additional obligations.

Burden on Consumers
Taking social care and tackling social problems require huge financial investments and
businesses tend to increase their cost and put the burden on the consumer for their
charitable expenses.

Lack of social skills

Businessmen lack understanding of social problems and can’t solve them efficiently.

People’s resistance
People tend to dislike interference from businesses in their problems.

Reality of Social Responsibility

Whatever maybe the argument, either in favour of or against social responsibility, the reality
is in favour of social responsibility. Let us discuss some of them below.

Threat of Public Regulations

Democratically elected governments, through their law enforcing agencies continuously
trying to ensure the welfare of the society and thus they have a watchful eye over all business
operations. So to avoid government action business organizations should behave in a socially
responsible manner.

Pressure of labour movement

Labour, is not only the active factor but also activates other factors of production. Nowadays,
they are more educated and their movement becomes more powerful in the world. No more
‘hire and fire’ policy will work; this made the businessmen to take up social responsibility
towards their employees.

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Impact of Consumer Consciousness
Consumers are more conscious about quality, price etc. of the product and services. Even for
small discrepancies, nowadays they prefer to file a suit in the consumer court.

Development of Social Standard for business

New social standards consider business enterprises as legitimate but with a condition they
must also serve social needs.

Development of Business Education

Business education created much awareness about the social responsibility in the minds of
investors, consumers, employees etc. and they became more sensitive towards social issues.

Relationship between social interest and business interest

Now people come to realize that social interest and business interest are complementary.
This ensures long term benefit of the business.

Development of professional, managerial class

Earlier managers of business houses aimed at only profit maximization but professional
management educational institutions created a new class of managers who gives equal
importance to social responsibility too.

Conclusion
From the above seen ‘Realities of Social Responsibility’ it is clear that business houses must
assume social responsibility for their survival and growth.

• Kinds of Social Responsibility

Economic Responsibility
Maximizing profit by producing and selling goods and services required for the society.

Legal Responsibility
Every business needs to operate within the laws of the land. A law abiding enterprise is a
socially responsible enterprise as well.

Ethical Responsibility
This includes the behavior of the firm that is expected by the society but not included in law.
Eg. Should respect religious sentiment and dignity of people while advertizing

Discretionary Responsibility
This refers to the voluntary obligations that an enterprise assumes.
E.g. Charitable contributions, providing relief during natural calamities etc.,

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Social Responsibility towards different interest groups
A business unit has to decide in which areas it should carry out social good. Few areas are
explained below.

Responsibility towards shareholders or owners

To provide fair return on their investment, ensure safety of their investment and to provide
regular, accurate and full information about the business.

Responsibility towards the workers

To provide opportunities for meaningful work, create the right kind of working conditions,
respect the democratic rights of the workers and ensure a fair wage deal from the
management.

Responsibility towards the consumer

To provide right quality and quantity of goods and services at reasonable prices and to avoid
adulteration, hoarding, dishonest and misleading advertisements.

Responsibility towards the government & community

To respect the laws of the country and pay taxes regularly and honestly and act according to
well accepted values of the society and to protect environment.

Business & Environmental Protection

Protection of the environment is a serious issue that confronts
business managers and decision makers. Business organizations are
major pollutants so they have to do something to control pollution.

Causes of Pollution
Waste generated by various industries, agriculture, mining, construction, energy
production, transportation etc., cause pollution.

Environmental Problems
Pollutions results in following environmental problems identified by UNO
1. Ozone Depletion 5. Deforestation
2. Land Degradation 6. Global Warming
3. Solid & Hazardous Wastes 7. Water Pollution
4. Danger to biological diversity 8. Fresh water quality and quantity

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• Types of Pollution

Air Pollution
Carbon monoxide emitted by automobiles, smoke and other chemicals from
manufacture and pollutes the air & lowers its quality. It also created a hole in
the ozone layer leading to global warming.

Water Pollution
This is primarily from chemical and waste dumping into water bodies. This lead to death of
several animals and posed a serious threat to human life.

Land Pollution
Dumping of toxic wastes reduces the quality of land and making it unfit for agriculture or
plantation.

Noise Pollution
Noise caused by the running of factories and vehicles create a serious health hazard such as
loss of hearing, malfunctioning of the heart and mental disorders.

• Need for Pollution Control

To preserve precious environmental resources & improve the quality of
human life pollution control becomes essential. Let us list out some
reasons for pollution control.

Reduction of health hazard

Pollution control measures can check diseases like cancer, heart attack & lung complications
and support a healthy life on earth.

Reduced Risk of Liability

When people are affected by toxicity released by any business, the business is liable to pay
compensation. If the business installs pollution control devices, it can escape from such a
liability.

Cost Saving
Pollution control needs improved production technology which automatically reduces cost.

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Improved Public Image
A firm that promotes the cause for environment will enjoy public confidence and good
reputation.

Other social benefits

Cleaner buildings, cleaner roads, clearer visibility, better quality of life, availability of natural
products in a purer form are some of the other social benefits the society can get through
proper pollution control system.

• Role of business in environmental protection

Most of the pollution is caused by business enterprises and therefore they should take the
lead in providing their own solutions to environmental problems. Some of the specific steps
that can be taken by a business are as follows.
1. A definite commitment by top management to systematically protect
environment.
2. Involving all divisions and sections of employees in environmental protection.
3. Developing clear cut policies and programs with regards to quality, method and
process of production and disposal of waste.
4. Complying with laws of the land in relation to environmental protection.
5. Participation in government programs such as management of waste, forestation
etc.
6. Periodical assessment of pollution control programs of their own, with a view to
improve them.
7. Arranging educational workshops and training materials to share technical
information with everyone involved in pollution control.

• Business Ethics
Business ethics refers to the socially determined moral principles which should govern
business activities.

Examples of Business Ethics

- Charging fair prices
- Using correct/accurate weights
- Giving fair treatment to all employees
- Avoiding adulteration, hoarding etc.
- Not engaging in any illegal methods of operation and not doing anything which is
being considered as undesirable by the society.

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 - Using environmentally friendly products, methods and processes.

Which businesses need to behave ethically?

All businesses irrespective of size (big or small), nature and location should behave ethically.

Why should businessmen behave ethically?

The businessman gets access to all resources such as finance, human capital, land etc. from
the society and makes profits by selling the same to the society. Therefore he needs to be
ethical and shouldn’t make profit at the cost of society.

Benefits of doing Ethical Business

- Ethical business is good business
- It improves public image and support
- Earns people’s confidence and trust
- Leads to greater success
- Helps in long-term standing

• Elements of Business Ethics

Top Management commitment

Higher level managers need to be openly and strongly committed to ethical conduct. They
should continuously try and uphold the values of the organization and the society.

Publication of a ‘code’
‘Code’ refers to the written ethical programs followed by a particular business or industry –
which normally covers the areas of honesty, adherence to laws, product’s safety and quality
and fairness in all dealings.

Establishment of Compliance Mechanism

Simply having a written ‘Code of Ethics’ is not sufficient, the business needs to ensure its
effective implementation at all levels & throughout the life of the business.

Involving employees at all levels

To make ethical business a reality, employees at all levels must be involved.

Measuring Results
Measuring the results of ethics programs maybe difficult but can have an audit at regular
intervals to monitor compliance with ethical standards and decide about further course of
action.

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Short Answer type Questions
For answers, please refer to Key terms.
1. What is Social Responsibility?
2. Define Environment.
3. Define Business Environment.
4. What is Environmental Protection?
5. Define Pollution.
6. What are Ethics?
7. Define Business Ethics.
8. What is meant by ‘Legal Responsibility’?
9. What do you mean by ‘Code of Ethics’?

Long Answer type Questions

1. Briefly explain any five points in favour of Social Responsibility of Business.
Ans. Refer to Arguments for Social Responsibility
2. What is meant by Social Responsibility? & Briefly explain the responsibility of business
towards
i. Shareholders
ii. Employees
iii. Consumers and
iv. Government

Ans. Refer to Key Term – Social Responsibility & Concepts Explanation - Social
Responsibility towards different interest groups

Possible 6Mark Questions

1. Argue for (any 3 points) & against (any 3 points) ‘Social Responsibility of Business’.
Ans. Refer to Arguments for & against social Responsibility in Concepts explanation
2. Recent changes in the attitude of business people towards social responsibility are
based on the realities. Explain any four of such realities.
Ans. Refer to Concepts Explanation – Realities of Social Responsibility

• Higher Order Thinking Skills Questions (HOTS)

Q1.You are appointed as a CEO of a leading manufacturing company having many branches
across the country. Explain the steps which you can take to ensure business ethics in your
organization.
Ans. Refer to Concepts Explanation – ‘Elements of Business Ethics’

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Q2. ‘Installation of effective pollution control system will reduce the cost and risk of liability
and improve public image’. Explain.
Ans. Refer to ‘Need for Pollution Control’
Q3. A business indulges in following activities. Say, social responsibility towards of which
group is being violated.
a) Pay lesser wages than what is fair
b) Providing product of substandard quality
c) Manipulates its accounts to show lesser profits and to pay lesser tax
d) Releases toxic waste material into the air
e) Indulges in price discrimination

Ans. Social responsibility towards employees, consumers, government, society & consumers.

• Gist of the Lesson:

Business draws all the required resources & facilities from the society and therefore
it is obliged to show its responsibility by the means of acting in the society’s best
values.
Societal interest & Business interest are not contradictory but complimentary so the
long run interest of the business lies in the societal interest only therefore apart
from profit maximization business must take into consideration social well being
also.
A socially responsible business is one which is not only ensuring higher return to the
owners by the way of profit maximization but also one which is
- Using environment friendly production process
- Paying fair salary to employees
- Producing and selling quality goods and services
- Paying tax properly to the government

Socially responsible business unit should have its own ‘Code of Business Ethics’ to
respect and fulfill the values of the society and seriously pursue business ethics at
all levels and among all employees in the organization.
A better business can be established only in a peaceful & harmonious society.

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