4-1

Social Responsibility
and Business Ethics

Goal 1 Describe social responsibility

issues.
Goal 2 Identify benefits and costs of social
responsibility.
Goal 3 Explain the purpose of a code of
ethics.
2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

SLIDE 1

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
ISSUES

C H AP T E R

SLIDE 2

Environmental protection saving and

protecting scarce resources
Ex. Lumber companies having reforestation
program
Pollution the government has set
measurable standards for water and air
quality. The EPA monitors and enforces those
standards.

2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Principles of Business, 8e

C H AP T E R

SLIDE 3

Workplace diversity women, ethnic

groups, physically challenged and older
workers are all protected and should have
equal rights to education, training, jobs,
etc.
Americans with disabilities act for workers
who are physically challenged
Age discrimination in employment act
elderly workers

2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Principles of Business, 8e

C H AP T E R

SLIDE 4

Job safety having a safe place to work is

important for all employees
OSHA regulate federal and state laws to make sure
the businesses are safe for employees

Employee wellness healthy workers are more

productive. They come to work more often, are
more energetic, and more focused.
Many businesses offer programs to promote good
health
Sponsor sports teams and encourage employees to
take part.

2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Principles of Business, 8e

C H AP T E R

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
EVALUATION

SLIDE 5

Common Benefits of Socially Responsible

Activities include:

Expanded justice for groups of a society

Enhanced company image
Reduced need for government actions
Improved quality of life in a community and around
the world
Increased awareness of social issues among
workers, consumers, and others

2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Principles of Business, 8e

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
EVALUATION

C H AP T E R

SLIDE 6

(continued)

Costs
New nonpolluting or safer equipment
Building repairs to remove risks
Wellness and rehabilitation programs
Social projects sponsored by a company

2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Principles of Business, 8e

C H AP T E R

BUSINESS ETHICS

SLIDE 7

Code of ethics set rules for guiding the actions

of employees or members of an organization.
Must be worded in terms of acceptable behavior
not forbidden actions.
Example ethical dilemmas:
Should a company expand into a profitable market in a
country where doing business requires giving expensive gifts
to government officials?
Should a company continue to produce a popular product
after it discovers one of the materials hurts people?

2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Principles of Business, 8e

C H AP T E R

SLIDE 8

Ethical conduct guidelines to follow when

considering business situations
Is the action legal?
Does the action violate professional or
company standards?
Who is affected by the action and how?

2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Principles of Business, 8e

GUIDELINES FOR WRITING

A CODE OF ETHICS

C H AP T E R

SLIDE 9

1. Determine the purpose of the code.

2. Tailor the code to the needs and values of the
organization.
3. Consider involving employees from all levels of the
company in writing the code.
4. Determine the rules or principles that all members of the
organization will be expected to adhere to.
5. Include information about how the code will be enforced.
6. Determine how the code will be implemented and where
it will be published or posted.
7. Determine how and when the code will be reviewed and
revised.
2012 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Principles of Business, 8e