Social Ethics Capstone Proposal
Luke Madden
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Many know that top-of-the-line companies attempt to give back to this world and execute
their best ideas concerning humanity through corporate social responsibility. But what is
laid out as a great plan may not be carried out to perfection thus losing the influence that
the idea will make. The question at hand then is do the companies execute what they plan,
and how do different companies rank against each other? Also how successfully can a
business thrive while acting out their theories for CSR? The information within this topic
handles greatly with the business world, which is especially interesting, personally
speaking. The intriguing aspect of the topic is to not only learn about business operations
but also learning about how within those operations a company is able to assist the world
where they live.
Each company has their own carefully written CSR statement and touches upon the many
aspects of their business that not only give back but also exemplify human rights and other
day-to-day responsibilities of the work force. I will be analyzing four major companies in
today’s world: Cisco, Apple, Under Armour, and Coca-Cola. Each company may strive to help
the environment in specific ways but may fall short. The research that has been completed
on these companies displays that the companies follow what they have set out to, but it also
raises the question if it is necessary. Many question if Under Armour will be able to survive
if they continue to follow the guideline for humanity that they have set. Some ask the same
thing for Apple and say that they should stick to the business aspect instead of worrying
about others. But Apple CEO Tim Cook will have nothing of that and tells investors if they
feel that way then don’t buy into the company. Cisco has generally been sufficient when it
comes to humanity and respect the emerging problem for them now is a technical issue
with the privacy of client information, but their respect and dignity is not hindered. CocaCola has been under heat due to its secrecy in their ways to produce, including the
production of sugar. Oxfam reports that the company has now committed to informing
others where they produce and to maintain respect in these working places. Problems
range within these companies from flourishing to displaying respect.
Obviously when pertaining to big corporations it is expected that they display the respect
deserved by each individual. Personally the accounts of some individuals suggesting for
either Under Armour or Apple to just stick to productions and profits, and not worry about
the rest is unsettling. Luckily the businesses do not follow the same train of thought and will
attempt to continue their utilitarian ways. Immanuel Kant also presents great lessons to live
by and apply through CSR and this is to live life with good will. These companies feature
people in the head office who are driven by good will to make a difference and to the benefit
of numerous individuals who are thankful that they do not listen to those who are only
focused on profits. Another great philosopher to focus on in the situation of respect is Rawls
and his philosophy to maximize the minimum. If the companies realize it or not they are in
fact being the examples of this teaching by helping those who are on the bottom of the
organization’s pyramid, and the pyramid of the world. Through learning of these great
philosophies it has become instinct to think for the least and attempt to help them therefore
one can only hope that countries follow their guidelines no matter the profits and those who
need to work on improvements do such.
The idea of the capstone will be do spread awareness and what better way to do that than
with a flyer. Therefore I will use a smore, which is essentially a digital pamphlet. This, I feel,
will best convey my message of companies’ CSR and the awareness that needs to be brought
to such a matter.
APA Webliography
Karnani, Aneel (2010, August 23). The Case Against Corporate Social Responsibility. General
Format. Retrieved from
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB100014240527487033380045752301126645048
90
Cisco (2014, March). Cisco Corporate Social Responsibility. General Format. Retrieved from
http://csr.cisco.com
Apple (2014, March). Supplier Responsibility. General Format. Retrieved from
http://www.apple.com/supplier-responsibility/
Coca-Cola Icecek (2011, December). Corporate Social Responsibility Report. PDF. Retrieved
from http://assets.cocacolacompany.com/51/be/fa1c9a664de5bb38e0304d6ce2af/CCI_CSR_2011.pdf
Under Armour (2014, March). Corporate Responsibility. General Format. Retrieved from
http://www.uabiz.com/company/corpResponsibility.cfm
Oxfam (2013, November 8). The Coca-Cola Company Declares “Zero Tolerance” For Land
Grabs In Supply Chain. General Format. Retrieved from
http://www.oxfam.org/en/grow/pressroom/pressrelease/2013-11-08/coca-colacompany-declares-zero-tolerance-land-grabs-supply-chain
Washburn, Nathaniel (2011, April). Beneath the (Under) Armour: A Green and Ethical
Company?. General Format. Retrieved from
http://www.thunderbird.edu/blog/faculty/washburn/2011/04/18/beneath-the-underarmour-a-green-and-ethical-company
Gillespie, Nick (2014, March 7). Dear Apple and Chipotle: It’s Hard to Be Socially Responsible
When You’re Dead. General Format. Retrieved from http://time.com/14416/corporatesocial-responsibility-truth/
Ethics World (2008, November 26). Corporate CSR Reposrts. General Format. Retrieved from
http://www.ethicsworld.org/corporatesocialresponsibility/corporatecsrreports.php#cisco