business for social responsibility

Does a business have any social responsibility?

It’s the topic of my AP Comp essay and I said a business doesn’t have any responsibility. Can anyone help me support why it doesn’t have any social responsibility?
I’ve read your replies, sure I agree. But why do people make businesses? Not to help others, to make a profit. A business sole purpose is to make a profit for it’s shareholders.
It’s like that rule on planes; in the case of an emergency on a plane, make sure to place the oxygen mask on your self before the person sitting beside you.

I concede off the bat your question is asking for reasons why a business shouldn’t have any social responsibility, so you can take what I say below and maybe address the points made to help form part of your essay (give you some ideas for material).

I’d argue they do have a social responsibility & that it extends to ensuring the business itself is able to continue making a profit. Your argument that they need to put on their own mask first I agree with. However, if you they don’t help others after ensuring their own safety/existence, there will be no one else around for them to sell to, which will consequently lead to their own demise.

For example lots of companies now place a great emphasis on how their operations effect the environment, contribute to warming of the planet, an issue that doesn’t just impact the company, but society as a whole of which the company is a part of. If the environment collapses and contributes to, e.g. declining population, then there will be less consumers for the company’s products and services, in turn leading to less profit.

Another reason Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is an area of growing concern for lots of companies, is that many stakeholders (employees, investors, suppliers and customers) in a corporation now look for it to act more responsibility in many areas the affect society in general. Profit is a motivating factor as with many advancements in the area of business, as those businesses that take on and address these new challenges put themselves at a competitive advantage against their competition, because they are addressing the concerns of more socially conscience consumers.

You can argue that a company’s sole motive should be profit, however this must be put into the context of today’s world. In the end, a business that does not change to address stakeholder and social concerns will see profits dry up, and cease to exist.

You can check out this site for more information and books on the subject:

http://corporatesocialresponsibilityjobs.brighterplanet.org/

Why business has to make life better – values matter. Corporate ethics and corporate social responsibility (CSR). Motivation, leadership, marketing and management impact. Cause-related marketing and winning war for talent. Conference keynote speaker