Social Responsibilities as a Manager

Responsibility

  • socialresponsibility:social responsibility: managers duty to take actions that will benefit the interest of society as well as of the organization
      * ex: companies engaging in environmental preservation efforts
        * ethical labor practices
        * philanthropy
        * promoting volunteering
  • corporatesocialresponsibility:corporate social responsibility: notion that corporations are expected to go above and beyond simply following the law and making a profit
      * 4 types:

    
    1. environmental responsibility
    2. ethical responsibility
    3. philanthropic responsibility
    4. economic responsibility

Types of Social Responsibility

  • sustainability:sustainability: economic development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs
  • naturalcapital:natural capital: the value of natural resources , such as topsoil, air, water, and genetic diversity, on which humans depend
  • philanthropy:philanthropy: making charitable donations to benefit humankind
      * 169 billionares have joined Bill and Melinda Gates in the Giving Pledge
        * GivingPledge:Giving Pledge: a commitment to dedicate a majority of their wealth to philanthropy

Corporate Governance

  • corporategovernance:corporate governance: the system of governing a company so that the interests of corporate owners and other stakeholders are protected
      * includes matters like long-term strategies, sustainable finances, accurate reporting, and a positive work environment
  • more attention is being paid to strengthening corporate governance so that directors are clearly separated in their authority from the CEO

How Organizations Can Promote Ethics

  1. creating a strong ethical climate
  2. screening prospective employees
  3. instituting ethics codes and training programs
  4. rewarding ethical behavior; protecting whistle-blowers who report organizational misconduct

How Do People Learn Ethics?

  • Laurence Kohlberg’s 3 levels of personal moral development:
      * level 1 (pre-conventional): follows rules to avoid unpleasant consequences
      * level 2 (conventional): follows expectations of others (most managers are at this level)
      * level 3 (post-conventional): guided by internal values, they lead by example (about 1/5 of managers)