question_answer

Build up arguments for and against social responsibilities.

Answer:

Ans.     Arguments for Social Responsibility:

1. Justification for Existence and Growth: Although the main motive of any business is profit but the prosperity and growth of business is not possible without a continuous service to the society. Therefore, it is justified for a business to assume social responsibility.

2. Avoidance of Government Regulation: Businessmen can avoid the problem of government regulations by assuming social responsibilities voluntarily which helps to reduce the need for new laws.

3. Maintenance of Society: Those people who do not get a return for their hardships get indulged in anti-legal activities. Therefore, it is advisable for business enterprises to assume their social responsibilities.

4. Long Term Interest of the Firm: If consumers, workers, shareholders, government officials feel that they are not getting what they deserve, they start to withdraw their hands from business. It may prove more expensive for an enterprise.

5. Availability of Resources with Business: A business enterprise has effective human and financial resources to solve many of the social problems.

6. Converting Problems into Opportunities: Business can make risky situations useful by using their efficiency.

7. Better Environment for Doing Business: Business system should do something to meet needs before it is confronted with a situation when its own survival is endangered.

8. Holding Business responsible for Social Problems: Environmental pollution, unsafe workplaces, corruption in public institutions and discriminatory practices in employment are some of the problems which have caused due to business enterprises.

Arguments against Social Responsibility

1. Violation of Profit Maximization: As per this argument, business enterprises claim that our objective is profit maximization. Business can reduce its cost and raise profits and then only it can meet its social responsibility.

2. Lack of Social Skills: Business enterprises neither have skill nor experience to solve all types of social problems. Therefore, it should be handled by specialized agencies.

3. Burden on Consumers: Many of the social responsibilities cost a lot and its burden falls on consumers only.

4. Lack of Broad Public Support: Business cannot operate successfully because of lack of cooperation and confidence on behalf of public to business enterprises.