College of Business Administration

Seminar in Business and the Good Society

Discussion Questions for May 08, 1997:

Assigned Reading:

Business Horizons

Session Facilitators:

Annette Reigh/Chris Yeatts

"Are Corporations Inherently Wicked?"
Craig P. Dunn
1. The article states that "duty demands that managers maximize organizational efficiency; self-interest urges the manager to consume corporate resources" creating a conflict of interest and moral dilemma. Do corporations provide shelters for managers as a safeguard from morality? From the law? What changes to hold managers accountable for their actions?
2. The assets of shareholders of corporations cannot be used to satisfy the obligations of the corporation. Are we as a society promoting self-interest within the corporate framework by allowing corporations to exist?
3. If something is legal, does it make it right? If it is not illegal, is it also right?

"Managing as if the Earth Mattered"
James E. Post
4. What level of importance does the environment play in your utopia? Do you believe that corporations should be responsible for the environment above and beyond their legal requirements? If not, who should? Why? Is more government intervention necessary to preserve the environment?
5. The most pressing issues involve stopping the damage that we are currently inflicting on the world. Can we learn from our mistakes?

"The Pyramid of Corporate Social Responsibility: Toward the Moral Management of Organizational Stakeholders"
Archie B. Carroll
6. The article shows a pyramid of corporate social responsibilities with philanthropic responsibilities at the top. How much emphasis should corporations place on this level?
7. To which stakeholders are the managers responsible? Do they need to practice "moral" management with all of the stakeholders? What is the cost of practicing moral management? Do the benefits outweigh the costs?

"Business Organizations and the Sense of Community"
Douglas L. Heerema and Robert Giannini
8. To what extent do you feel organizations are responsible for creating a sense of community? To whom do they owe this responsibility?
9. What challenges do diversity and cultural pluralism pose to creating a sense of community within an organization? In what way will our present day leadership and management approaches need to change?
10. What role do social institutions play in building a sense of community? Do business organizations have a responsibility to support these groups? Who makes sure basic social institutions continue to fulfill their duties?

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