ontract was conceived by social and economic theorists to spell out societyÆs expectations of business as well as corporationsÆ expectations of society. In this contract, the corporation and society are equal partners, each enjoying a set of rights and having reciprocal responsibilities. Corporations need the resources of the societies in which they live. For example, many corporate workers still come from the local markets in which corporate branches are situated. Worker efficiency will rely often rely on public transportation available in the region. Sick workers will need to visit local hospitals to be made well enough to return to work. But corporate taxes cannot cover these myriad, indirect ways in which companies rely on their local surroundings. As a result, many experts argue that corporations should out of a duty of gratitude, assist in solving social problems (Lantos 595-630). Today, this social contract theory of business is widely held by both business ethicists and business decision makers (Lantos 595-630).
Nonetheless, social contract theory continues to expand to even broader concepts of corporate social responsibility. In
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