question_answer

Explain the reality of social responsibility.

Answer:

Ans.     In reality social responsibility receives only lip service. Some business houses fulfill its legal responsibility in the name of social responsibility. There are some factors and reasons which have forced and persuaded business organizations to fulfill their social responsibility which are as follows:

1. Threat of public regulation: India is a democracy where Government is expected to be welfare state. If any business organization acts in a socially irresponsible manner then an action may be taken against them to safeguard people's interest.

In reality business houses do not assume their social responsibility on their own but due to threat of public action.

2. Pressure of labour movement: In the last century labour movement for extracting gains for the working class throughout the world has become powerful. Labour laws are also followed not out of a sense of social responsibility but because of increasing pressure of labour movement.

3. Impact of consumer consciousness: Consumers are also becoming aware of their rights since enactment of Consumer Protection Act 1986. Under this Act consumers are entitled to file a case if he is cheated in any ways.

4. Development of social standard for business: As per new social standards a business is considered to be legitimate only if it fulfills its social responsibilities. No business can be done in isolation with the society. The performance of a business is judged on social standards.

5. Development of business education: Nowadays businessmen are professionally qualified due to changing pattern of form of business. It is also making it socially more responsible. Education has made people more conscious as employees Customers investors and owners.

6. Relationship between social interest and business interest: Businessmen are able to find that social interest and business interest are correlated. The concept which existed earlier that no business can grow without exploitation of others has no place in modern thought/perception.

7. Development of professional managerial class: Professional management is also educated of the benefits it can get by fulfilling its social responsibility. Professional managers are more interested in satisfying a multiple group of interest groups in society for running their enterprises successfully than attaining goal of profit maximization only.