"We Are Busy Producing and Marketing Profitable Products for Society

Multiple Choice

"We are busy producing and marketing profitable products for society to enjoy! Now you want us to provide legal services, day-care centers, and counseling for AIDS victims and alcohol and drug abusers. If we do all these things, what role will the government, church, and family play?" exclaimed the vice president of Milam Corporation. What persuasive argument would you use to influence this manager to become more socially responsive?

A) Business has the technical, financial, and managerial resources needed to tackle today's complex economic issues.
B) Social problems affect society in general, so individual businesses probably should not be expected to solve these problems.
C) By helping to solve social issues, business can create a more stable environment for long-term profitability.
D) Socially responsible decision making by business firms will not prevent increased government intervention, which only forces businesses to do what they fail to do voluntarily.
E) Corporate time, money, and talent should be used to maximize profits, not to solve society's problems.