The purpose of this research is to examine the nature of the social responsibility of business, to what extent business is in fact socially responsible, and to what extent it should be socially responsible. It seems difficult to believe that the businesses functioning in today's demanding and seemingly socially demanding society should not already be well aware of the role which they play in that society. Attitudes toward their existing roles and how these might be changed vary considerably, and there are still those who believe that the old standards of productivity and profit are still the most important goals for business.
Just what is social responsibility? Social responsibility is best defined by a brief examination of the topics of the day. We as Americans and as citizens of the world find ourselves occupied with preservation of the ecology, with the equality of all persons, and with the employment and care of all peoples and persons. These grand concerns are reflected on smaller bases as well. Hence, the local river's pollution will affect the sympathies of a small town. That pollution is symptomatic of and contributory to pollution on a global scale. It may well be caused by a factory located there in the town which employs many of the citizens of the town and is vital to the town's prosperity both in that it pays revenue and provides employment. It is also dependent on the town to provide workers and some market, perhaps, for its product. It is in the best interests of that company to provide for the safety of its workers; this is apparent. It is also in the best interests of the company to develop methods to stop its pollution of the river because it affects the health of the town, of the areas through which flows beyond that town, and because public attention is on that river. Which of these interests is most persuasive, and which should be, in the company's eye?
Some would claim that business is presentl...