Social Responsibility
and Business Ethics
Chapter 4
Social Responsibility
The awareness that business activities
have an impact on society, and the
consideration of that impact by firms in
decision making.
Beside profit, engaged in activities that
benefit society
Increase positive impact, reduce negative
impact
Practicing Social Responsibility cost money
However, failing has its costs-
Fines
Increased regulation
Negative publicity
Public dissatisfaction
Loss of customer
Questions to be considered
• To whom are we responsible?
• How far should we go to satisfy our customers and achieve
organizational objectives?
• Will our decisions affect any segments of society that we have not
considered
1. Consumers
Business
2. Employees 3. Environment
Activities
4. Investors
Responsibility to Consumers
Consumerism: Activities of individuals, groups, and
organizations aimed at protecting consumers rights.
Industrial Revolution ( 1870-1900)
Historical Perspective
Great Depression (1920 – 1930)
Bill of Rights 1960
The Right to Safety
The Right to be Informed
The Right to Choose
The Right to be Heard
Responsibility to Employees
Safety in the workplace
o Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting law 2003
o Occupational Health, Safety & Welfare of Bangladesh Labor
Law 2006
Equality in Workplace
The Hard-core Unemployed
Responsibility to the Environment
Water Pollution
Air Pollution
Land Pollution
Bangladesh Environmental Conservation Act, 1995 (ECA)
Environment Court Act 2000
Responsibility to Investors
Proper Management of Funds
Access to Information
Executive Compensation
Corporate Governance (CG)
Advance Social Responsibility
Community Support
o Building parks, Schools, Hospitals…
Self Regulation
o Establishing Standard of Conduct
Social Audit
Business Ethics
Ethics: The principles of behavior that distinguish
between right and wrong
Business Ethics: The evaluation of business
activities and behavior as right or wrong.
Trust and Goodwill
Factors Influencing Ethical Behavior
Business
Organization
Environment
Factors
•Pressure of business
environment Behavior •Peer influence
•Conflict of interest •Reward and Punishment
•International business
Personal
moral
philosophy
End of Chapter
Feb 23 2006- Fire at KTS Textile Industries (54 Killed)
February 24 2006 - Collapse of the Phoenix building
killing at least 16 people and injuring 45
April 2005 - Spectrum-Shahriyar factory collapses
killed 64 and injured 80, of which 54 seriously
POISONED BURIGANGA
(Right) View from a sewerage line at Babubazar, under the second Buriganga bridge
Left) Toxic wastes pour into the river Buriganga from one of numerous outlets at Babubazar.