What is the ethical, social or environmental responsibility of business? The answer to this question rests on whether or not organizations are machines of commerce, profit-producing instruments. The law of corporations says they are run primarily in the interest of stockholders, the responsibility is fiduciary. Let’s assume that this is indeed the case; that they are profit-producing instruments.
A hammer—a tool for driving a nail—has no ethical, social or environmental responsibility. Neither does an automobile, an instrument for transportation. It seems then the organization has no more of a responsibility than any other instrument or tool. However the one employing the instrument does! Continue reading