Accomodative Stance
approach to social responsibility by which a company, if specifically asked to do so, exceeds legal minimums in its commitments to groups and individuals in its social environment
Business Ethics
ethical or unethical behaviors by employees in the context of their jobs
Collusion
illegal agreement between two or more companies to commit a wrongful act
Consumerism
form of social activism dedicated to protecting the rights of consumers in their dealings with businesses
Corporate Social Audit
systematic analysis of a firm's success in using funds earmarked for meeting its social responsibility goals
Defensive Stance
approach to social responsibility by which a company meets only minimum legal requirements in its commitments to groups and individuals in its social environment
Ethical Behavior
behavior conforming to generally accepted social norms concerning beneficial and harmful actions
Ethical Compliance
the extent to which the members of the organization follow basic ethical (and legal) standards of behavior
Ethics
beliefs about what is right and wrong or good and bad in actions that affect others
Insider Trading
illegal practice of using special knowledge about a firm for profit or gain
Legal Compliance
the extent to which the organization conforms to local, state, federal, and international laws
Lobbying
the use of persons or groups to formally represent an organization or group of organizations before political bodies
Managerial Ethics
standards of behavior that guide individual managers in their work
Obstructionist Stance
approach to social responsibility that involves doing as little as possible and may involve attempts to deny or cover up violations
Organizational Stakeholders
those groups, individuals, and organizations that are directly affected by the practices of an organization and who therefore have a stake in its performance.
Philanthropic Giving
the awarding of funds or gifts to charities or other worthy causes
Political Action Committees (PACs)
special organizations created to solicit money and then distribute it to political candidates
Proactive Stance
approach to social responsibility by which a company actively seeks opportunities to contribute to the well-being of groups and individuals in its social environment
Regulation
the establishment of laws and rules that dictate what organizations can and cannot do
Social Responsibility
the attempt of a business to balance its commitments to groups and individuals in its environment, including customers, other businesses, employees, investors, and local communities
Unethical Behavior
behavior that does not conform to generally accepted social norms concerning beneficial and harmful actions
Whistle-Blower
employee who detects and tries to put an end to a company's unethical, illegal, or socially irresponsible actions by publicizing them