Corporate social responsibility
Discussion 3:
Consider the potential conflict between corporate social responsibility and ethics while maximizing shareholder wealth. How do exercising Christian principles play a part in running a successful business while operating within state and federal regulations?
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and ethics interplay to ensure the smooth operating of businesses. Both are designed to enhance the moral reputations of business entities. However, sometimes they conflict with each other. CSR entails the production and distribution of shareholders’ wealth for their betterment through implementing and integrating ethical systems and sustainable management practices (Adda, Azigwe & Awuni, 2016). The concept is usually expressed in voluntary activities aiming to promote and protect environmental health, ethical practices, and human rights, among others.
On the other hand, business ethics refers to the moral principles and standards such as honesty and transparency, which guide corporate behavior (Adda, Azigwe & Awuni, 2016). Arguably, CSR is a part of business ethics. However, some actions of CSR are unethical; hence, ,n conflict with ethics. For instance, CSR is unethical when used as a publicity stunt, or when green-washing’ is involved because all of them are only meant to maximize shareholders’ wealth at the expense of the good of the people and the environment.
Christian principles play a part in running businesses successfully while operating within state and federal regulations because they form the foundation of business ethics. The law, according to Adda, Azigwe, and Awuni (2016), is part of the three levels of business ethics: (i) the law, (ii) organization policies, and (iii) the moral stance. Thus, Christian principles promote legal and ethical practices and businesses’ running because they call for the observation of the law (Matthew 22:21) while promoting moral good. As such, proper adherence to Christian principles leads to a smooth, effective, and successful running of businesses because it helps organizations avoid lawsuits and bad reputation due to breaking state and federal laws and regulations as well as ethical codes of conduct.
References
Adda, G., Azigwe, B., J., & Awuni, A., R. (2016). Business ethics and corporate social responsibility for business success and growth. European Journal of Business and Innovation Research. Vol. 4, No. 6, pp. 26-42. Retrieved on 11/11/2020 from http://www.eajournals.org/wp-content/uploads/Business-ethics-and-corporate-social-responsibility-for-business-success-and-growth.pdf
Discussion # 4
What are some of the unique strategic challenges that Christian universities face?
A couple of these challenges exist, but I will mention two, which are more prevalent today. They include pressure to waiver on biblical commitments and threat to freedom. The first challenge is associated with the LGBTQ community. The reality is that the Bible is against most of the issues related to this community. However, a significant part of society supports them. Thus, Christian university students and professors are left in tight spaces to tackle these issues while defending and protecting the Biblical views.
The second challenge, threat to freedom, revolves around scrutiny related to controversial topics such as abortion. Mainly, abortion, for example, is a crime Biblically (Ex. 20:13). However, society seems to have moralized the act and appear to be marginalizing those with antiabortion views. For instance, in 2019, Students for Life (SFL), a Christian organization, filed a federal lawsuit against Colorado State University on claims the varsity refused to fund a campus speaker with antiabortion views (Klett, 2020). Moreover, secular media and liberal activities have continued to brand and mock those opposed to same-sex and abortion as bigots. In 2017, for example, Klett (2020) reports that “Shame List” from Campus Pride listed several Christian colleges as promoting “religious bigotry that is unsafe, harmful and perpetuates harassment toward LGBTQ youth.”
How has the unprecedented Covid-19 pandemic crisis impacted your life?
The pandemic has made survival difficult due to pay-cuts. My social life aspects have also been restricted. I cannot travel for vacations like before, while I cannot be with friends because of the social distancing protocols. I am also working from home most of the time.
Has it altered your perspective on day-to-day life? Family/Friends? Religion? Business?
The answer is yes. About business, it is now clear that being in the office at the organization is not so crucial in business. The virus has also taught me a lesson about how crucial friends are. Life is so boring without connections and good time with acquaintances.
What will be the one thing you tell your grandchildren or future generations in 30+ years?
I would tell them that COVID-19 was fatal economically than in terms of health.
References
Klett, L., M., (2020). 5 Top Challenges Facing Christian Higher Education Today. The Christian Post. Retrieved on 11/11/2020 from https://www.christianpost.com/news/5-top-challenges-facing-christian-higher-education-today.html