Sustainable Management Futures - Essay Example

Corporate social responsibility Name Instructor’s name Institution of study Date Number of words Question 1 Q. Using one of the following companies examine its CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) activities and behavior in its home country as well as overseas. Evaluate its ethical and environmentally responsible behavior by applying relevant ethical theories and sustainability models to date and make recommendations (1,500 words) Through this essay my intentions are to examine the corporate social responsibility of a company of choice. The essay will start off with a brief introduction aimed at setting the pace for the forthcoming discussion and increasing the understanding different ethical theories and sustainability models to be used in the context. In order to understand the meaning of corporate social responsibility of any given company we should be able to address several issues in relation to the chosen firm[Mar11]. First we should be in a position to assess the eminence of the companies’ executive by evaluating the human resource management as well as production[Ali97]. Secondly, an assessment of how the company factors in various costs of production and their impact on the community within its locality as well as their intensity will be vital. According to [Wil10]in [Wil10], corporate social responsibility refers to a state in business where firms are prompted to promote economic, environmental and sociality sound systems. According to the following discussion shell is the company of choice therefore the discussion will feature the company and analyze the firm’s corporate social responsibility activities in the global village[Mar111]. To start with [Wil10]in[Wil10] argues that Shell is among the hundreds of oil drilling companies in the world and the company is highly ranked and worth the discussion. The activities of this company hit the international news platforms in the year 1995 in relation to its operation in Nigeria[Wil10]. According to the author the company is believed to have played a significant role in two unpopular events namely; plans to sinks Brent spar oil platform and its reluctances in averting the execution of prominent activists including Ken Sawo-wiwa. Through a report released in an attempt the salvage the reputation of the company it was evident that the company assumed some degree of responsibility as far as CSR was concerned. For an instance the company cited both its strengths and it failures through which are was clear that it had failed to assume environmental and social responsibility of its activities in the region. It focused on sustainable development as well as passive role in addressing most of its shortcoming in the region a behavior that differs from what it does at home. From the brief explanation above it is clear that the company has had it failures and according to scholars a viable CSR model should enable a firm to address the three basic requirements. Arguments by [Nor05] base on Kantian model that business enterprises are allowed to maximize profit as long as they concur with the laid down rules and regulation of the society and as long as they do not harm the society. Looking at this theory we find that the company could have prevented the execution but it was not obligated to do so by any law. However, there was some degree of failure regarding its passive nature which attracted international attention. In relation to utilitarian theory of ethics and the deontological theory of ethics proponents we could have a varied analysis. The ultimate goal of business enterprises is to make profit and according to the utilitarian ethical theory the maximum good would be the one benefiting the most. However, this theory faces some challenges from the deontological approach because as a business attempts to maximize the benefit derived form satisfying the consumer it should also fulfill its obligation to the society. In this case the company wanted to maximize the profit without extending other undefined but ethically right roles such as ensuring sound environmental policies. The classical model according to [Mil70] in [Mil70] firms have roles to play and that this roles should not in any way be detrimental. However, the model CSR allows firms to satisfy present generations’ interest and through these action the future generation are put at stake because there environmental is not secured. In any case, Shell Company continued environmental degradation and failure to address human rights issues taking place around its operating grounds year’s later could be assed form the classical approach to conclude that the company was within it boundaries however, it should adopt a better model. Liberalists argue that it is important for businesses to what is viewed as good to majority and that they are motivated to do well but not forced into doing good. This argument on capitalism could also be seen to support the companies’ actions. Similarly classical liberalism could be used to support the same idea as it advocates that the stake doing what is viewed as pleasant should not result from coercion. For instance the issue of global worming and the release of elements that a detrimental to the future of billions of human being receives a mixed reaction from different states influenced by the great profits and returns gained from these economies. In addition the governments assess the issue from the role played by such companies using ethical theories such deontological and utilitarian and argues that it is its role to satisfy ensure sustainable employment for many and thus compromising the sole existence of the future generations who might have to cope with a very unfriendly environment as a result of failures catalyzed by the current capitalistic driven generation. With respect to the discussion above ethical market theories and market models have been applies and used to evaluate the morality of the companies action. However, we should not ignore the fact that the models above have their justifications and therefore making recommendations would be the best step. The ideal model for adoption by Shell and other like minded companies as well as states that has their defined objectives based on equitable development for the common good should be the one that would promote sustainable business[Com10]. Such a model should be based on popular capitalism in the sense that the three basic requirements ethical, economic and environmental cost are key determinants while making corporate decisions are adequately addressed[Mil70]. This would be a system where ethical issued are decided upon after wide consultations. However, minimum controls should be catered for to prevent incidences of exploitation and loopholes that may emerge in the event of its implementation. Furthermore, the system should be based of free market where the businesses take responsibility without compromising the future. The model on sustainable business should be able to take care of shareholders from a wider perspective that encompasses investors, company employees, and the society at large because these are the people to invest in for sustainable development[Ali97]. The ideal model recommended should also take into account Cameron’s ideals as expressed in his speech that specifically defines the reward systems based on effort and not opportunity. A system that adequately encourages innovation and recognizes the role of participants without suppressing the less fortunate through the creation of sustainable development structures to counter economic stagnation and shove the way forward. In conclusion we could argue that examining the CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) activities and behavior in its home country as well as overseas of any company and to evaluate its ethical and environmentally responsible behavior by applying relevant ethical theories and sustainability models to date and make recommendations is quite involving. For instance we find that in the essay we had to present in a narrative form a brief history the key events in the lifetime of the company before applying the necessary lenses to assess them. The assessment comprises of ethical theories utilitarian and deontological theories of assessing the rightness, correctness and morality of events through the companies’ operation. In addition, sustainability models of including the classical and neo-classical models as well as alternative model of sustainable business among other models have been featured. It is upon these ethical theories and sustainability models that the conclusion on sustainable business model has been arrived at because it would allow managers to balance priorities and make informed decisions factoring in all costs. A move that would allow corporate businesses to pursue their utilitarian goals but at the same time bring benefits to all stakeholders for a long time hence sustainable businesses. This would ensure that future interests of futures generations are secured along side easing the survival of current generations. References Mar11: , (Beck, 2011), Ali97: , (Goldsmith, 1997), Wil10: , (William B. Werther), Wil10: , (Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility: Stakeholders in a Global Environment), Mar111: , (Schwartz, 2011), Wil10: , (William B. Werther, 2010 ), Wil10: , (Strategic Corporate Social Responsibility: Stakeholders in a Global Environment), Wil10: , (William B. Werther, 2010 ), Nor05: , (Bowie, 2005), Mil70: , (Friedman, 1970), Mil70: , (The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase its Profits,), Com10: , (Committee on Twenty-First Century Systems Agriculture, 2010), Mil70: , (The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase its Profits,), Ali97: , (Human Resource Management for Hospitality Services), Read More