The main object of a business is to maximise profits this does inevitably include an obligation
to respond to social issues of nations in the context of multinational corporations, as doing so
will increase profitability in the long run. However, this obligation has little to do with
morality, rather public image especially vital with regards to the corporations’ global reach
only increases vulnerability in today’s cancel culture.
When thinking of moral obligations and corporations it is important to take note that a
corporation is not by any means a non-profit, agent of change, humanitarian organisation
hence a corporation primarily focus is on profits as opposed to social issues. Certainly, ethical
business practices must be adhered to however going over and above this, actively addressing
social issues is unviable as a business model to say the least, as commenting on controversial
topics could resulting in a loss of potential consumers. Decreasing profitably. At least
temporarily. Although not necessarily as responding to social issues could very well increase
profitability.
Dichotomously not responding to social issues is, in itself a response. A response which could
result in corporations’ being worse off especially in the long run. As mass outrage spreading
across countries on social media, results in calls to boycott or ‘cancel’ the corporation which
are very real, much more serve risk than a small portion of customers being offended by your
responses to controversial social issues.
Public opinion dictates companies’ obligation in commenting on social issues. A common
good can come into play here which is that if the county within the corporation is operating in
is relatively peaceful or not in a state of unrest, the citizens of that country will be more likely
to spend money, and this will in turn increase corporation’s revenue and subsequently its
profitability. Although a corporation does indeed have great power and influence, they
cannot just solve world peace as a prerequisite obligation to optimising profitability.
So long as multinational corporations are viewed as moral at least by public opinion and
overall profitability does not decrease, they should continue to respond or observe social
justice issues. But are not morally obligated to do so.