Intro to Business 3/12/2016
What do they have in common?
 Starbucks created C.A.F.E. Practices, a set of guidelines to
achieve product quality, economic accountability, social
responsibility and environmental leadership.
 Ben & Jerry 's founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield
have infused the company with the notions of giving back
in every way possible, as well as "linked prosperity"
between the company, its employees and the community.
 Blake Mycoskie started Toms Shoes on the premise that for
every pair of shoes sold, one pair would be donated to a
child in need.
Social Responsibility
 Refers to the obligation of a business to contribute to
the well being of a community
 Attention to social concerns:
 Protecting the environment
 Minorities and women in the workplace
 Physically handicapped employees
 Older workers
 Healthy and safe work environment
Environmental Protection
 Conservation – preserving scarce natural resources

Lumber company that has reforestation program
 Non-renewable resource – natural resource that
cannot be replaced when used up

Copper, Iron ore, gas, oil
Environmental Protection Cnt’d
 Socially responsible businesses take action to reduce or
completely eliminate pollution
 EPA (environmental Protection Agency) and
businesses work together to reduce pollution and
make our environment healthier
Workplace Diversity
 The workforce of a business should reflect the various
groups that comprise the community.
 Learning how to manage a work force made up of a
variety of cultures is a major challenge.
Workforce diversity cnt’d
 Removing employment barriers for women
 Equal employment opportunity laws
 Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009
 Accommodate physically disabled
 Americans with Disabilities Act

Wheelchair access etc.
 Eliminate discrimination towards elderly
 Age Discrimination in Employment Act

Age is not a basis for employment decisions (hiring, promotions, or
terminations) – 40 and over
Safety on the job
 All employees should be able to work in an office or
factory free from the hazards that could cause
accidents.
 Also includes employee training to show how to work
safely and what to do in the event of an emergency.
 Workplace safety regulations are mandated by the
government – OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health
Administration)
Employee Wellness
 Healthy workforce = productive workforce
 Workers in good physical health are valuable assets to
a company
 Business offer programs aimed at helping their
employees remain healthy
 Stop-smoking seminars, counseling for drug problems,
weight loss sessions, team sport sponsor – to encourage
employees to play
Cost of Social Responsibility
 With those around you:
 Come up with a list of 3-5 costs of being socially
responsible.
 Come up with a list of 3-5 benefits of being socially
responsible.
Cost of Social Responsibility
 To be socially responsible, companies must endure
costs
 New non-polluting equipment
 Safer materials
 Building renovations
 Rehabilitation programs
 Companies must balance their commitment to be
socially responsible in order to continue making
profits
Business Ethics
 Ethics – principles of morality or rules of conduct
 Business ethics – rules about how the business or
employees ought to behave
Business Ethics Cont’d
 The ethical conduct of a business is greatly determined
by its top management
 Executives who show good moral decision making, set
the standard for a business
Business Ethics Cont’d
 Code of ethics – statement of rules for guiding
behavior of employees or members of an organization
 Should be written in terms of acceptable behaviors, not
forbidden actions
 Wordle