Question 1

When a firm advertises that it only uses recycled paper products, it is ________.

Accepted Answer

By advertising its use of recycled paper products, the firm is being socially responsive to the growing concern for environmental sustainability. Meeting social obligations and social screening requirements may also involve environmental concerns, but they are broader in scope and may include other issues such as labor practices and community involvement. Following ISO 9000 standards relates to the firm's quality management processes and does not directly address its social and environmental responsibilities.

Question 2

According to the ________ argument on social responsibility, businesses should be socially responsible because responsible actions are the right thing to do.

Accepted Answer

The ethical obligation argument states that businesses have a moral duty to be socially responsible because it is the right thing to do. This argument is based on the belief that businesses should not only focus on profit maximization but also consider the impact of their actions on society and the environment.

Question 3

________ is defined as a business firm's intention, beyond its legal and economic obligations, to do the right things and act in ways that are good for society.

Accepted Answer

Social responsibility is the business firm's intention to go beyond its legal and economic obligations and act in ways that benefit society. Social obligation refers to a business firm's legal and economic responsibilities, while social screening and values-based management are approaches to evaluating and managing social responsibility.

Question 4

Years ago McDonald's switched from Styrofoam boxes for its large sandwiches to corrugated boxes made partially from recycled materials because of concerns that Styrofoam took too long to decompose in landfills. In this situation, McDonald's was ________

Accepted Answer

McDonald's was being socially responsive by changing their packaging to be more environmentally friendly. They were addressing a concern about the impact of their products on the environment, which is an example of social responsibility.

Question 5

In the United States a company that meets, but does not exceed, federal pollution control standards and does not discriminate in hiring, promotion, and pay is generally meeting its ________.

Accepted Answer

Meeting federal pollution control standards and not discriminating in hiring, promotion, and pay are examples of a company fulfilling its social obligation, which refers to doing what is required by law and regulations.

Question 6

Which one of the following examples reflects a socially responsible action by an organization?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which one of the following examples reflects...

Question 7

Under the classical view, aiding the few through philanthropy ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Under the classical view, aiding the few...

Question 8

When PETA supporters picketed Avon products because of its use of animals in the testing of its cosmetics, Avon changed its practices and stopped testing on animals. In this situation, Avon exercised ________.

Accepted Answer

Social responsiveness refers to a company's actions in response to social pressures, such as picketing or boycotts. In this situation, Avon changed its practices in response to picketing by PETA supporters, illustrating social responsiveness. Social obligation involves a company taking actions to meet its ethical and legal responsibilities, while classical responsibility involves focusing on maximizing profits within legal and ethical boundaries. Social engineering involves using marketing and other strategies to influence social behavior.

Question 9

Which one of the following arguments on social responsibility states that businesses should address social problems before they become serious and costly to correct?

Accepted Answer

The argument that "businesses should address social problems before they become serious and costly to correct" is based on the superiority of prevention over cures. This argument emphasizes the importance of taking proactive measures to prevent social problems rather than waiting for them to become serious and expensive to address.

Question 10

Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, WalMart sent semis loaded with items such as bottled water, diapers, and other daily necessities to the New Orleans area. We can say that WalMart exercised ________.

Accepted Answer

WalMart exercised social responsibility by taking proactive steps to provide assistance to the New Orleans area after Hurricane Katrina. This goes beyond a legal obligation and demonstrates a commitment to making a positive impact on society.

Question 11

If your university provides job-share programs, builds a day-care facility, and only uses recycled paper, it could be said to be ________.

Accepted Answer

These actions indicate that the university is actively responding to social needs and concerns, such as environmental sustainability and work-life balance, which aligns with being socially responsive.

Question 12

The aspect that differentiates social responsibility from other similar concepts is that it adds a(n) ________.

Accepted Answer

Social responsibility includes an ethical imperative, which means that companies are expected to act in a morally responsible manner towards society, even if there are no legal requirements to do so. This distinguishes it from other similar concepts that may only focus on legal or environmental responsibilities.

Question 13

Social obligation is the obligation of a business to meet its ________.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Social obligation is the obligation of a...

Question 14

The ________ view of social responsibility holds that management's only social responsibility is to maximize profits.

Accepted Answer

The classical view of social responsibility, also known as the shareholder view, is associated with economist Milton Friedman and suggests that the only responsibility of a business is to maximize profits within the limits of the law, without taking on any additional social responsibilities or obligations. It is a profit-oriented approach that prioritizes the interests of shareholders over the interests of other stakeholders such as employees, customers, and the community.

Question 15

The most outspoken advocate of the classical view of social responsibility is economist and Nobel laureate ________.

Accepted Answer

Milton Friedman is the most outspoken advocate of the classical view of social responsibility, which argues that the only social responsibility of business is to increase profits while obeying the law. He famously wrote in a 1970 article in The New York Times Magazine that “the social responsibility of business is to increase its profits.”

Question 16

A U.S. business that provides on-site childcare facilities for employees as part of a negotiation with its union is ________.

Accepted Answer

Being socially responsive means a company is going beyond its legal obligations to actively improve the well-being of its employees, communities, and society at large. Providing on-site childcare facilities is an example of a company taking additional steps to support its employees, thereby being socially responsive.

Question 17

The belief that business involvement can help solve difficult social problems is the ________ argument of social responsibility.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The belief that business involvement can help...

Question 18

If your university was paying minimum wage when necessary and applying the minimum legal standards to its employees work environment, it would be said to have fulfilled its ________.

Accepted Answer

Social obligation refers to the responsibility of organizations to fulfill their legal and ethical obligations towards society. Paying the minimum wage and providing a minimum legal standard work environment falls under this category. Social responsibility, on the other hand, goes beyond legal obligations and includes voluntary actions to improve the well-being of society. Social responsiveness refers to an organization's ability to respond to the changing social and environmental demands. Social expectation is the general perception of what is expected from an organization in terms of its impact on society.

Question 19

Under the concept of ________, the organization does what is required by the ________.

Accepted Answer

Social obligation refers to the organization's duty to do what is required by law and ethical standards. Therefore, under the concept of social obligation, the organization does what is required by the law.

Question 20

The ________ view is that management's social responsibility goes beyond making profits to include protecting and improving society's welfare.

Accepted Answer

The term "socioeconomic" refers to the social and economic factors that influence an individual or community. This view of management's social responsibility emphasizes the importance of considering the impact that business decisions have on both society and the economy, going beyond simply making profits.

Quiz 6: Managing Social Responsibility and Ethics