Ethics

Corporate social responsibility is the integration of social and environmental concerns into the operations of the business and the way they relate with their stakeholders on a benevolent basis. Despite the fact that businesses act on their separate agendas which differ from business to business, they are supposed to be mindful of the community. Every business has a corporate responsibility to the community, its stakeholders and the world in which it is doing business. In most fundamental terms, corporate social responsibility can be looked at from the perspectives of business ethics (Hartman and Desjardins, 2008). 

The public has become more aware and there are some groups that monitor the operations of companies closely. These groups always have the interests of the society as heart. They are always thinking about the social concerns, as well as the environmental issues of the world. Corporate responsibility must encompass dealing with the clients, shareholders and the employees. Even in case where the market does not encourage responsibility for social causes, corporations should engage in social responsibility. It should be incorporated into the operations of the business (Hartman and Desjardins, 2008). 

The public has a role to play in encouraging corporations that engage in social responsibility. Corporations that are socially conscious should be supported by the public. This does not mean that the public should withhold from firms that do not take social responsibility. They are supposed to be put on limelight to be able to take the responsibility. While organizations know the people are watching their dealings and that their evil dealings will not go unnoticed, they are bound to be socially responsible. We certainly bear the responsibility is we sat back and watch irresponsible acts being committed by the very organizations that expect to benefit from us.

It is possible for the public keeping a watchful eye on corporations to force them into taking social responsibility failure to do this means that the public is equally responsible for misconducts of corporations. Some of the aspects that determine whether a business is socially responsible include taking care of the interest of their employees, not exploiting their customers, and providing shareholders with their fair share of the profits. Companies should also avoid undue exploitation and misuse of the environment. A company that fails to do this is not socially responsible and should not be condoned. Continuing purchasing from such companies is complying with their misconducts.

Determining responsibility is easy because it is easy to observe how the workers are treated, it is possible to know how shareholders are paid their dues, and it is easy to see how the operations of company are affecting the environment. While purchasing items from a business or by a particular company, I am always keen to see its concern with social responsibility. I will support through purchasing the products and services from a company that is able to donate a part of its proceedings to a cause that is important to me. This is because being a socially responsible person I support giving and various kinds of donations are important causes. A company that gives means that it is socially conscious. Again I will feel that the money I use on the purchases from the company is being used for a good cause. A company that fails in this does not deserve to be supported through purchasing its goods and services. I would definitely refrain as much as possible from buying from such a company. I believe that decisions from consumers, if united to support social responsibility could make a big difference. Customers are the basic source of profits for businesses and I believe that their decisions to buy or not to buy can make a difference.