Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), also known as Corporate Responsibility, and Corporate Citizenship :: Corporate Responsibility

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), also known as Corporate Responsibility, and Corporate Citizenship Because society is fundamentally based upon performance and profit, it is necessary to impart a sense of corporate social responsibility with regard to modern commerce. The ethical approaches of purpose, principle and consequence are integral components of business social performance; itemizing these contributions involves incorporating the interests of ethics and morality within the corporate structure. These are essential concepts that are often absent from a managerial standpoint. Corporate social responsibility should exist within every company's infrastructure; however, social integrity is not something that is often at the forefront of modern day business dealings. Ethics, business and society must work in tandem or there is no purpose for any of its existence. Unethical practices are what create a climate of contempt and distrust, leading to consumers harboring ill will. This is no way to run a business Ethics are a necessary and critical ingredient in any successful enterprise1. Establishing such ethical fortitude is not difficult if a moral and conscientious outlook is maintaned . Ethical concerns run rampant among various entities, posing questions along the way as to whether a particular practice is deemed morally acceptable. Ethics sometimes get in the way of resolving questions like: What is the ethical concern? Am I being true to myself? Why is this bothering me? Is it my problem? What do others think? Who else matters? 2 Establishing reasonable ethical guidelines, and therefore appropriate corporate social responsibility, must come from a management perspective. This the primary location where policy is derived. Utilizing the insightful perspectives of Beauchamp et al (1996), which include purpose, principle and consequence, there exist myriad ethical considerations in the daily world of business, with each one presenting yet another moral dilemma: Should the decision be made for company or personal gain? How many will reap the benefit of individualized attention at the expense of all others? Is there a time when an individual's interests supercede those of the masses? These are ethical questions posed each and everyday throughout the global business and social worlds; whether or not the right answers are acted upon is another matter entirely. "Ethical problems of personal and public decision making are not new. The need to undertake ethical reflection is part--indeed a central part--of what it means to be human" (Mitcham, 1996, p. 314). Ethical decision-making goes hand in hand with sound business judgment, yet this is not a concept always followed. The very purpose behind ethical behavior has some people stumped as to its true intention; while some believe it instills the foundation of good business, others contend that it brings out nothing