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Assignment 2 Persuasive Paper 20in Assignment 2 Students Will W

Assignment #2: Persuasive Paper (20%) In assignment 2, students will write a persuasive essay in response to the theme: “A multinational corporation has no moral or social responsibility to engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs.†Required Elements of Assignment #2 – Persuasive Essay: ï‚· Write a persuasive essay either supporting or denying the veracity of the theme statement; ï‚· The argument should include a discussion of the differences between corporate social responsibility and the triple bottom line concepts. ï‚· Include a discussion about the idea of distributive justice and the current distribution of wealth; Required Formatting of Persuasive Essay: · This essay should be double-spaced, 12-point font, and four to six pages in length excluding the title page and reference page; · Title page; · Introductory paragraph and a summary paragraph; · Write in the third person; · Use APA formatting for in-text citations and a reference page. You are expected to paraphrase and not use quotes. Deductions will be taken when quotes are used and found to be unnecessary; · Submit the paper in the Assignment Folder.

Paper For Above instruction

The debate over the moral and social responsibilities of multinational corporations (MNCs) has been a persistent issue in contemporary business ethics. This essay aims to assert that multinational corporations have no intrinsic moral or social obligation to engage in corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs. Instead, their primary responsibility should be centered on maximizing shareholder value within the bounds of legal and ethical standards. This position contrasts with the prevalent view that CSR is a necessary component of modern business practice. To support this stance, it is essential to examine the distinction between corporate social responsibility and the triple bottom line (TBL) framework, as well as explore the concept of distributive justice and the ongoing distribution of wealth across societies.

Corporate social responsibility refers to the voluntary actions taken by a company to improve societal well-being beyond compliance with legal obligations. It encompasses activities such as environmental sustainability initiatives, community engagement, and ethical labor practices. Conversely, the triple bottom line concept expands the traditional profit-oriented view to include social and environmental impact measures—often summarized as "profit, people, and planet." While CSR emphasizes moral responsibility, the TBL approach quantifies corporate contributions to social and environmental goals alongside economic performance. However, critics argue that engaging in CSR can sometimes detract from a company's efficiency, concentrate profits in the hands of shareholders, and divert focus from core business operations.

Proponents of the view that MNCs possess no social obligation contend that the primary function of a corporation is to serve the interests of shareholders by generating profits within the legal framework. Milton Friedman famously articulated this perspective, emphasizing that the social responsibility of business is to increase its profits, provided it operates ethically within the law. From this standpoint, engaging in CSR is viewed as a form of corporate philanthropy or window dressing that may result in misplaced priorities, inefficiencies, or even hidden agendas. Such actions could distort market signals, undermine competition, and lead to an unjust redistribution of resources or favoritism toward certain societal groups at the expense of others.

An important counterargument involves the concept of distributive justice, which pertains to the fair allocation of resources among members of society. Critics argue that MNCs, as powerful economic entities, hold substantial influence over wealth distribution, often exacerbating inequality rather than alleviating it. The current global wealth distribution is highly skewed, with a small percentage of the population controlling a significant share of resources. In this context, the assertion that corporations should solely pursue profit neglects their broader social impact and responsibilities in addressing structural inequalities. Some scholars suggest that companies, especially large multinationals, have a moral obligation to contribute to a more equitable distribution of wealth, not merely as a form of charity but as a matter of justice.

Furthermore, evidence indicates that CSR initiatives can have complex and sometimes problematic effects. For instance, companies engaged in "greenwashing" or superficial community programs may claim social responsibility without meaningful impact. Moreover, resource allocation toward CSR might be better directed toward systemic changes that address root causes of inequality and environmental degradation. From a pragmatic perspective, critics argue that imposing moral obligations on corporations beyond legal requirements imposes an unrealistic burden that may hinder economic growth and innovation, especially in developing economies where strict regulations are less prevalent.

In conclusion, the assertion that multinational corporations have no moral or social responsibility to engage in CSR programs is defendable when considering the primary role of business in serving shareholder interests within legal boundaries. While the concepts of CSR and the triple bottom line expand corporate accountability, their implementation can sometimes be counterproductive or misaligned with the core objectives of business. The issue of distributive justice highlights the broader societal responsibilities related to wealth inequality, which some argue should be addressed through government policies rather than corporate initiatives alone. Ultimately, businesses should focus on lawful and ethical profit-making, leaving social justice issues to public policy and civil society, as this approach aligns with economic efficiency and individual liberty.

References

- Friedman, M. (1970). The social responsibility of business is to increase its profits. The New York Times Magazine.

- Crane, A., Matten, D., & Spence, L. J. (Eds.). (2014). Corporate social responsibility: Readings and cases in a global context. Routledge.

- Elkington, J. (1997). Cannibals with forks: The triple bottom line of 21st-century business. Capstone.

- Rawls, J. (1971). A theory of justice. Harvard University Press.

- Donaldson, T., & Preston, L. E. (1995). The stakeholder theory of the corporation: Concepts, evidence, and implications. Academy of Management Review, 20(1), 65-91.

- Carroll, A. B. (1999). Corporate social responsibility: Evolution of a definitional construct. Business and Society, 38(3), 268-295.

- McWilliams, A., & Siegel, D. (2001). Corporate social responsibility: A theory of the firm perspective. Academy of Management Review, 26(1), 117-127.

- Sen, A. (2009). The idea of justice. Harvard University Press.

- Pogge, T. (2008). World poverty and global justice. Polity.

- Crane, A., Palazzo, G., Spence, L. J., & Matten, D. (2014). Contesting the value of “creating shared value”: A critical review. California Management Review, 56(2), 130-153.