Social Responsibility

Good intentions are not always socially responsible.

A business that does not show a profit at least equal to its cost of capital is irresponsible; it wastes  society’s resources. Economic profit performance is the base without which business cannot discharge any other responsibilities; cannot be a good employer, a good citizen, a good neighbor. But economic performance is not the only responsibility of a business any more than educational performance is the only responsibility of a school or health care the only responsibility of a hospital.

Every organization must assume responsibility for its impact on employees, the environment, customers, and whomever and whatever it touches. That is social responsibility. BUt we also know that society will increasingly look at major organizations, for-profit and non-profit alike, to tackle major social ills. And there we had better be watchful, because good intentions are not always socially responsible. It is irresponsible for an organization to accept – let alone pursue – responsibilities that would impede its capacity to perform its main task and mission or to act where it has no competence.

ACTION POINT: When it comes to corporate philanthropy, make sure your company doesn’t take its eye off the ball.

Managing in a Time of Great Change