Concept of Social Responsibilities
Wednesday, December 12th, 2007Some people criticize the concept of social responsibility. They put forward the following arguments to oppose the assumption of social responsibilities by businessmen.
Dilution of Business Goals: If a business firm involves it in social activities, its economic goals might get diluted. Its positing in the market place might be weakened. As a result it may accomplish poorly in both its economic social goals. Society will lose when productivity of business declines. The economic role of business in society would also become confused.
Lack of Social Skill: Generally businessmen lack the perception a skill required for effective handling of social problems. Their outlook is primarily economic and they do not feel comfortable with social mattes. Their mental make up is suited for handling business matters only.
Rise in Prices: Social involvement of business requires financial expenditure. Unless the government or social institution bear the costs, business is likely to pass his cost on to consumers by increasing the prices of goods and services.
Lack of Accountability: A business enterprise is responsible mainly to its owners. Involvement of business in social matters will give businessmen more owners. As public has little control over them it swills be difficult to check miscue of this power. If different sections of society are represented in the management of business to ensure accountability, decision-making process would become political and freedom of enterprise would be undermined.
Reeducation in Competitiveness: If business firms are asked to spend considerable money on social activities, their competitive position in international markets may go down.
Lack of Measurement: There are no clear-cut criteria to judge the social performance of a business enterprise. Economic values are the only precise criteria to measure the performance of business. Moreover, business corporations are not more agents.
The arguments given above suffer from tow limitations. First, they require business firms to ignore social demands on them. Business enterprises cannot afford to do so. Business concerns are no longer mere economic institutions. They are also social institutions. Businessmen are trustees of various social groups. Secondly, these arguments overstress the power and influence, which businesses may exercise by assuming social responsibilities.



