Good Corporation, Bad Corporation Corporate Social Debating CSR Methods and Strategies

Chapter Debating Methods and Strategies . US . Navy ( Figure Deployed US . US . debate between candidate Obama and Mitt in 2012 . Why Debate ?

In this chapter , we help you prepare for productive debates on . Our question is why debate ?

Why not just study texts on , and then write essays or take tests on the topic ?

Why do we need to debate ?

The position of this textbook is that is not only an important social phenomenon , but a complex and controversial one . As we will see in this book , there are often two sides to issues . As future Voters and future employees of corporations , schools , governments , and civil society organizations , you will get a chance to have a real impact on the future Debating Methods and

Good Corporation , Bad Corporation . But what should the future of be ?

It is not the role or textbooks to tell you what to think when it comes to such a new and politically divisive topic . Like your fellow citizens , you are entitled to develop your own opinion , but we hope that it will be an informed and logical opinion , rather than one that emerges from political partisanship or cultural tradition . In short , we want you to practice thinking for yourself about , and we think the best way to practice is that is to debate crucial issues relating to . At times you will be asked to come up with the strongest arguments in favor of a position that you do not initially support . As the saying goes , to understand another person you have to walk a mile in their shoes . If you want to understand why many of your fellow citizens take social and political positions that are different from yours , the best thing to do is to consider the strongest arguments on their the best way to do that is to become their advocate , even if only for the length of a class session . Questioning the Value of Itself As an example of the importance and complexity of public debates , sider the following controversies related to Sincere ethics or hypocritical public relations ?

Facts is a rapidly growing field of study in universities and business schools , and most large corporations have adopted ' The controversial aspect Is a good thing or is it just corporate ?

In favor of motivates corporations to address social problems , it and rewards workers , it strengthens ties to the community , and it improves the image of the ' Against Surveys show that citizens are more concerned about corporations treating their workers well and obeying laws than about engaging in philanthropic activities , and may allow corporations to distract consumers and legislators from the need to tightly regulate corporations . Climate change and ' Facts There is a scientific consensus that global warming and climate change resent an enormous threat facing ' The controversial aspect Can corporate really have a significant impact on climate change , or is it just a public relations vehicle for companies and a tion from the need for stronger government action , such as through a carbon tax ?

In favor of global Corporations can have a major impact in the battle against global warming by reducing their large carbon footprints , by encouraging other corporations to follow suit , and by helping discover and develop alternative sources of ' Against global Companies spend a lot of advertising money to boast about small measures against global warming , but many of these companies are in as fossil fuels or produce the most greenhouse gases to begin with claims of concern are often simply corporate public relations campaigns intended to distract us from the need for society to take more effective measures through taxation and regulation . Debating Methods and

Goad , Bad Corporate Lobbying and Government Influence ' Facts Most large corporations spend money on lobbying and on seeking to ence legislators and regulators . In the Citizen United decision , the Supreme Court ruled that , as corporate persons , corporations enjoy the same freedom of speech protections as ordinary citizens and are entitled to relief from strict government control of their rights to political ' The controversial aspect Many citizens are outraged to that the justice system accords multinational corporations the same rights as ordinary people on the grounds that corporations are However , others point out that The New York Time and are also corporations , and that it could have a chilling effect on freedom of speech if all corporations were from speaking out ' In favor of corporate lobbying As major employers and technological innovators , corporations society . They should be free to oppose and some government regulations and taxation that can limit the they provide . In this way , freedom of political speech is so important that we should be cautious about limiting it in any ' Against corporate lobbying Corporations are not persons in the same sense that humans are , and therefore , they should not enjoy the same freedom of speech protection . Since corporations can become vastly wealthier than ordinary citizens , allowing them to participate in politics will enable them to bend laws and to their will . In each of the debates outlined above , there are intelligent and people on both sides of the issue . However , if our society is going to progress in its handling of these issues , we will need to reach consensus on the best approach , or at least on the best compromise . It is therefore vital that citizens learn to discuss these issues in an informed , respectful and productive manner . How to Debate Rules of Civility and Logic Civility This chapter introduces you to the techniques of logical debate . We hope to improve your ability to craft a forceful , persuasive argument and to detect faulty logic and weak evidence put forward by your adversaries . It is equally important , however , to practice in social and political debates in a way that is respectful and tolerant of differing viewpoints . Although we will base our approach to some extent on the rules and methods of formal debate , the reality of life is that most of our disagreements , and much public debate , are not carried out according to formal rules or any previously agreed structure . Indeed , the average political debate with our schoolmates , work colleagues , and family is often quite freewheeling and sometimes extremely illogical . It is an accepted truism of American life that political campaigns are with , and Debating Methods and

Good Corporation , Bad Corporation scurrilous attack ads . That is one reason that so many people say that you should never discuss politics or religion among friends or doing so can compromise friendships and spoil family gatherings with angry and unproductive arguments . In this course and in this textbook , we want to lean toward the other extreme . We believe that there are sincere , intelligent people on both sides of most social debates . As educated people , we should not engage in political discussion in order to our superior intelligence or backgrounds , or to browbeat or insult our . Unfortunately , since people sometimes resort to bullying and offensive tactics when discussing sensitive topics , and since many of us are unable to control our wounded , emotional responses to such aggression , it can become to discuss important social issues in a productive way . We suggest certain ground rules to promote fair and respectful debate . Do not try to win the debate . In formal debate contests , each side is trying to defeat the other . Similarly , in political debates each candidate is trying to come out on top so as to win the election . However , in the classroom or in informal discussions around the dinner table or at the workplace , such tactics can be unproductive and can . Therefore , we recommend that ( at least part of the time ) instructors randomly assign students to each side of an argument . In this fashion , you will sometimes find that you are arguing on behalf of a position that you would not ordinarily support . This may seem paradoxical to you , so why do we insist on its value ?

By obliging you to consider and advocate on behalf of the strongest points of each side of the argument , we want you to appreciate that there are valuable , sincere motivations on both sides of most social debates . We are not asking you to be insincere and pretend to believe in something that you do not support . Rather , we are simply asking you to look for the strongest arguments the other side could make . So , in this course the goal is not to try to win the debate by making the other side look objective here is to obtain greater knowledge and greater depth of understanding . Everyone in the class should consider it a win anytime fellow students make a new or interesting point , express themselves eloquently , or show a willingness to listen and learn from the other side . The ultimate win in this course is to learn more about an important social topic , and to learn to engage in debates in a respectful way . Admit discomfort or emotionality . Discussions of important social or political topics often touch upon values that each of us holds dear . They may be values we have imbibed from the teachings of our parents , trusted elders , respected teachers , and admired thinkers . As a result , when someone strongly challenges those values , especially in a way that we find disrespectful , it is understandable that we feel negative emotions or anger . The challenge is to control those emotions without being tempted to retaliate . So if you ever feel uncomfortable or embarrassed in a class debate , whether online or in person , do not hesitate to let your interlocutor , the class , and the instructor know of your feelings . You can simply say , for example , I think that last remark was bit personal , or I find that the tone you are using is somewhat However , try to avoid responding in an equally offensive fashion because that usually leads to a breakdown in the conversation . It is not only up to the instructor it is up to each class member to monitor class for inappropriate levels of aggression or condescension . Debating Methods and

Goad Corporation , Bad . Listen respectfully and show that you have heard the other side . It is very easy for debates to degenerate into emotional contests if neither side makes a sincere attempt to listen to the other side arguments . Therefore , it is always a good strategy to show that you have heard the other side and have understood their point . For example , you can say , So it seems that you feel the strongest argument in favor of freedom of corporate lobbying is that if we restrict such lobbying , then we will create a precedent that could eventually lead to restrictions on the freedom of speech of individuals . However , we would like to argue that . On political talk shows and at the dinner table , it is quite common for debaters to cut each other off interrupt rudely , or talk over each other . In the classroom , however , we want to hold ourselves to a higher standard . Let people talking before you make your point . If you feel someone is going on too long , you can alert the instructor and request that you be given an equivalent amount of time for your rebuttal . Logic The Techniques of Persuasive Argumentation The Structure of a Debate Although this is not a course in logical debate , you will get more out of it if you in a systematic manner . Although there are many systems and theories for debate , we present a simplified version here so that your class can have a common framework to follow . The elements of a logical debate are the topic , the argument , and the rebuttal or . The Topic Sometimes also called the proposition , claim , or thesis , this is the concise ment of what the argument will address . In formal debating , the topic is usually called a proposition and may be presented in the form of a motion that is going to be submitted to a body for a vote , for example Resolved , that American corporations should refrain from outsourcing to factories in countries where child labor under the age of 15 is permitted . Thereafter , one side ( sometimes an individual but often a team consisting of up to three people ) takes the position ( meaning that it supports the proposition ) while the other takes the negative position ( meaning that it opposes the proposition ) The party taking the side then opens with a clear formulation of its position and begins the debate by presenting the main line , or strongest point on its side . The negative side is allowed to question the manner in which the side has the proposition , and may choose to present an alternative formulation before presenting the main line of its argument . In team debating , the second and third members will then present the second and third lines of their teams argument . Opportunities for rebuttal may be provided after each speaker or at the end of each team main the debate is concluded , Debating Methods and

Good Corporation , Bad Corporation a vote may be taken ( for example , by the audience or by a group of judges ) to determine which team has been more persuasive . In this course , we encourage a more informal approach in order to suit the preferences and prior experience of the instructor and students . You may prefer to present different topics for debate , or provide for a range of alternatives for action . Regardless of the you choose , each class and each student should have some freedom to frame the debate in the perspective that he or she finds the most relevant while ensuring that both sides are still engaging the same question . Consequently , it is always a good practice to begin a debate or discussion ( or a written assignment ) with a clear statement of your topic or proposition , even if it seems implied by the assignment . The Argument Once you have clearly stated the debate topic and your opening proposition , you must go on to provide logical support or evidence in support of your argument . In order to persuade an audience , you must support your main thesis with compelling reasoning or factual evidence . You may choose to focus on either logic or evidence , or you may use both . For example , if you wanted to base your argument on moral reasoning , you might say , In the United States , we do not permit factory work for children under the age of 15 , so we should not participate in the exploitation of children abroad in a manner we would not accept at home . Note that this argument , like many other arguments based on logic or reasoning , is itself based on further unstated assumptions , which we may call the logical basis or moral basis of the argument . Thus , the person making the above argument is assuming that it is that we should not participate in behavior abroad that we do not accept at home ( which may or may not be true depending on stances ) or behavior that is not legally accepted in the United States is necessarily when practiced abroad ( which , again , may or may not be the case ) If you wanted to base your argument on factual evidence or statistics , you might say , for example Statistics show that countries that permit employment for children have lower levels of literacy . Or Studies show that underage female factory workers are subjected to high levels of sexual harassment and are at greater risk to become victims of rape or violence . As with arguments based on reasoning , arguments based on evidence also depend on implicit assumptions about the evidence . For example the evidence must be accurate and recent ( thus , the statistics should not be derived from unreliably small samples , and they should not be obtained from studies conducted so long ago that they are no longer valid ) relevant and logically connected to the argument ( thus , the statistics on literacy might show that children raised in the countryside have even lower rates of literacy than urban children who work in factories ) and available to be examined ( it is very easy to say , Studies show that . but if you can not produce any published report of the study , or the study itself , then your Debating Methods and

Good Corporation , Bad Corporation argument can not be considered valid you might even be the results of the survey ) Rebuttal and A good debate allows opportunities for each side to respond to the other side , and this may be called a rebuttal or a . To develop an effective rebuttal , you should listen carefully to the other side argument and try to detect or gaps in their claims , reasoning , or evidence . In classical rhetoric , debaters were trained to detect a number of logical fallacies , common types of arguments which on further examination are unconvincing . Here are some of the key fallacies , or , you may encounter Arguing Failure to stick to the main argument is perhaps the most common of all logical fallacies encountered in everyday discussions . In informal discussions , this is sometimes acceptable , but in a serious intellectual discussion , it wastes time and energy because you can not seriously argue about two different topics at the same time . For example , in the debate described above , one of the parties might say something like , Everyone knows that American corporations don really care about people all they care about is Not only is that point arguable in itself ( though it might make for an interesting ment ) it is not directly relevant to a discussion of child labor in overseas factories . In such a case , it is appropriate simply to say , The point you are making is not relevant to the topic of this Drawing Excessive or logical Conclusions from Evidence In debates over the value of evidence , it is frequently said that correlation does not prove In other words , if statistics show a correlation between two sets of facts , they do not necessarily prove a causal connection between them . For example , in one century study of tuberculosis in Paris , the researcher noted that tuberculosis most frequently struck people living on the fifth of apartment buildings ( the highest in apartment buildings of the day ) He concluded that there was a causal relation between tuberculosis and altitude , and theorized that it was unhealthy to live too high above the ground . In fact , the highest was reserved for the small , drafty attic chambers of the poor servants who served the bourgeois families on the lower , so the true tion was between poverty and tuberculosis . Statistics must always be closely scrutinized for relevance . We must always ask whether the statistics apply to the same fact pattern that we are discussing . Also , be wary of statistics that are out of date or are drawn from samples that differ in some fundamental way from the population being discussed . Ad Argument This refers to a statement that attacks you personally ( or personally attacks an authority upon whom you are relying ) rather than addressing the argument that you are making . In everyday discussions , this is perhaps the most dangerous of rhetorical fallacies . Not only is it irrelevant , but it frequently arouses such negative emotions that the opponent retaliates in kind . Everyone , including the instructor and other classmates , should be attentive to ad arguments , and the person making them should be admonished against this tactic . Debating Methods and

Good Corporation , Bad Corporation The Problem of Cognitive Bias One of the encountered in everyday discussions of social and political fairs is that people enter the discussion with their minds already made up . No matter how compelling the reasoning or convincing the evidence , they will refuse to consider the other side . If asked to research the facts , they will only look for facts that support the views they already had . Such people could be said to be wearing intellectual In a classroom or college context , this attitude is unfortunate It closes us off from learning and from growing intellectually . In order to detect it in others and avoid it ourselves , it pays to learn about this tendency toward stubborn consistency , which is sometimes referred to by as cognitive bias . One of the great discoveries of modern psychology is that humans are , in fact , extremely susceptible to biased thinking . Much of our understanding of the powerful of cognitive bias is due to the work of two psychologists , Daniel and Amos . won the Nobel Prize for his efforts in 2002 . postulates that humans use two different kinds of thinking systems , fast and Fast thinking is instinctive , emotional , and reactive , and can be useful in when you have to make a decision quickly ( eg , you see a bear coming toward you in the forest , so it is time to think quickly about climbing a tree ) Slow thinking is logical , laborious , and the kind of thinking that we use when we solve a math problem or a logic puzzle . Cognitive bias represents the tendency toward instinctive , modes of thought , or fast thinking , when we might be better off using our slower , more laborious mode of thinking . One might suppose that when it comes to politics and social issues , such as those involved in analyzing corporate social responsibility , people would always rely on slow , logical thinking . However , research ( as well as that of many other cognitive psychologists ) indicates the opposite . Let us consider the power of some important cognitive biases that draw us astray . Confirmation Bias is the human tendency to discredit or ignore information that our beliefs , while we uncritically adopt information that supports our beliefs . Studies ave ra a mos peop are open earing new in ion i i th their beliefs . bias explains why information exchange tends to reinforce our beliefs . The more we learn about ethical , social , or political issues , the more biased we become . bias is thus the motor of prejudice . Once we get a tiny bit biased one way or another , the confirmation bias pushes us farther and farther in that direction . Increased education and research , strangely , can end up making us all more deeply biased . In one classic study , a group of penalty students and a group of penalty students evaluated two opposing studies on capital punishment . In fact , the studies were identical , except that they carried different titles and came to different conclusions . The students were asked to decide which of these studies was better and more convincing ( despite their being virtually identical ) Almost invariably , the students concluded that the study with the title that supported their views was superior to the other study . Not onl that , but when the students were asked the referred the stud the felt was superior , they were able to present a number of examples to support their Debating Methods and

Good Corporation , Bad Corporation evaluations . Since both studies were based on exactly the same information , the students preference for one study over the other was derived purely from bias . When we are exposed to mixed information , part of it supporting our views and part of it contradicting our views , we are more attentive to the part that supports our views , which we are likely to accept as accurate and true , while we ignore the part that contradicts our views . Indeed , sometimes these contrary arguments barely register in our consciousness . Partisan Bias Partisan is a form of prejudice and that takes hold of people ever they feel loyalty or with a group or a team . We witness partisan bias in the political sphere when presidential campaigns are under way , as Democrats are always quick to point out that their preferred candidate is vastly superior to the Republican candidate , while Republicans are equally certain of the contrary . Partisan bias does not only rule the world of politics , but can occur in any sphere where people feel drawn to one group over another . We can relate this concept to If you begin to perceive that you are part of a group that is a big supporter of a certain kind of activity , then you will probably be susceptible to the assumption that your group is always right in all aspects . As soon as we feel we belong to a group , we begin to view that group as superior to other groups . It is so easy to elicit group bias that psychologists have proposed the existence of im human predisposition to take sides and then prefer that side . One experiment relating to implicit partisanship showed that , if people are shown a list of names and asked to study it for as as a few minutes , they develop a preference for the names on the list and consider them superior to other In another experiment , a group of college students was assigned to one of two teams to watch a taped football game . The students displayed a clear preference for their assigned team and later argued that the referee had unfairly called fouls against their If a group of people are told that they will be assigned to either group A or group according to a coin toss , they begin to prefer their group even before they are sure they are assigned to it . Those to whom it has been merely hinted that they may have been assigned to group begin nonetheless to express a clear preference for the members of group and a belief that group is generally superior to group While the existence of the partisan bias has been by recent research , it has long been apparent to perceptive observers of political argument . In fact , Socrates noted the following in Plato The partisan , when he is engaged in a dispute , cares nothing about the rights of the question , but is anxious only to convince his hearers of his own Availability Bias Availability bias refers to the fact that , in an uncertain situation , people tend to use the most obvious fact or statistic in order to come to a if a moments thought or the slightest bit of research would have demonstrated that the particular fact or statistic was unreliable . You can test your own susceptibility to the availability bias by trying to correctly answer the following question as quickly as possible Facts A bat and a ball cost in total . The bat costs 551 more than the ball . How much does the ball cost ?

Debating Methods and Good Corporation , Bad Corporation Most people answer 10 cents . However , this is clearly wrong , as you will probably realize if you think about it carefully for a few more seconds . The correct answer is that the ball costs cents . If you answered incorrectly , don feel than half of a group of Princeton students got the answer wrong as well . How is it possible that even smart people can be so dumb when it comes to a simple question ?

In words , The respondents offered their responses without checking . People are not accustomed to thinking hard and are often content to trust a plausible judgment that comes quickly to Since divides neatly into 5151 ten cents , respondents leaped to this seemingly obvious answer , though it was incorrect . named this the , the tendency to rely on a mental shortcut to choose answers from the most obvious ( available ) options . amusingly a variant of the availability bias , which he called the bios . When asked to estimate anything numerically , we have a tendency to rely ( or anchor ) on any number that has recently been suggested to us , regardless of its relevance . as an audience to think of the last four digits of their social security number , and then asks them to estimate the number of physicians living in New York City . To a remarkable and entirely illogical extent , people subsequent estimates of the number of New York physicians correlated with the last four digits of their own social security number . Amazing , this held true even when the audience was composed of math teachers . Numbers hold a mystical sway over the human brain and it appears we are frighteningly suggestible when it comes to arguments based on data , even when the data is irrelevant . Thus we acquire newfound respect for the prescience of Mark Twain famous quip , There are three kinds of lies lies , damned lies , and One example of availability bias that comes up in the context of relates to the impact of global warming on polar bears . Global warming Bjorn often uses this example to show that most people think they understand global warming better than they actually do . Thus , he opens his book Cool It with a long chapter that provides abundant statistics to show that , over the past 25 years , the global population of polar bears has been This comes as such a profound shock to most citizens who are concerned about global warming that they can scarcely believe it . Is Bjorn telling the truth , or is he pulling our leg ?

Some students even become angry when presented with the evidence . Actually , does not deny that in the long term global warming may have a highly negative impact on polar bear populations . The point he is trying to make is that people leap to assumptions without checking the facts . People are concerned about polar bears because so many groups that try to raise awareness about the dangers of global warming have used the endangered polar bear as their favored mascot . Consequently , many people have simply assumed polar bear populations were already being decimated by global warming . While , polar bear populations may become under severe strain from global warming in the century , for the past several decades , as well as the current decade , the main danger to polar bears comes from legally licensed hunters . This point is raised here not to advance any argument about global warming . We will devote an entire chapter to global warming issues , and you will have an opportunity to learn more there about the very real dangers associated with global warming . The point here is that people have a tendency to leap to the easiest assumption , and that is one tendency that we should try to resist when we engage in formal research and debate . Debating Methods and

Goad , Bad Debating What are the Key Issues ?

As noted at the beginning of this chapter , some people are surprised to hear that there is anything to debate about . After all , such people may ask , isn a matter of corporations doing good things ?

And what could possibly be wrong with corporations doing good things ?

Actually , even corporations that fully support do engage in debates about , but these are usually about Jaw to do , not about whether is in general a tive thing or not . Corporations , like individuals , sometimes have to make choices about how to spend their money . It can be quite challenging for a corporation to choose among different options for , and equally difficult to decide how much to spend on a particular project in terms of cash and organizational resources . Several of the case studies in this book deal these types of strategic questions . However , it is worth noting at the outset that many skeptics also believe that merits greater ethical scrutiny , and thus there are some prominent voices who have expressed doubts about the perceived social of . So that you can begin to develop your own informed opinion on this topic , let us begin with a review of the potential and drawbacks to . Potential Benefits Neglected Social Problems Are Addressed It is undeniable that even governments in the wealthiest countries can not effectively address all social . Ever is to some extent la issues such as ployment , criminality , homelessness , disease , discrimination , pollution , and natural disaster . not mobilize the vast economic and or resources of cor to hel alleviate the damage caused by such problems ?

Corporate Employees Are Energized and Motivated A large percentage of the workforce in most countries is employed in the corporate sector ( of Americans are employed by large companies ) allows corporate to feel an added level of meaning in their lives by enriching their jobs with an ethical dimension . Such employees may be more productive on the job and may be more willing to volunteer for community service and contribute to charitable organizations . Links between Business , and the Government Are Enhanced Today , a great deal of involves partnerships between corporations , nonprofit organizations , and governmental bodies . For example , the Timberland footwear and parel company developed a partnership with the nonprofit organization City Year in 1989 , beginning with a small contribution of 50 City Year engages young people from 17 to 24 in a program of community service . By 1994 , Timberland had provided 555 million to help City Year expand into cities , and by 1998 , Timberland Debating Methods and

Goad Corporation , Bad Corporation employees had contributed hours to City Year efforts . President Bill Clinton was so impressed by the City Year story in 1992 that , in 1993 , he enlisted its founders to help him establish the program , a means of supporting community service by young people . Since its founding , volunteers have over 700 million hours of community service . Corporate Image Is Improved In a competitive global marketplace , corporations want to maintain a strong , positive image in the minds of consumers and legislators , and helps them achieve this . For example , Lauder has become closely associated with the pink ribbon symbol of its Lauder Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign , a program that has raised over 35 million for breast cancer research and has spread to over 70 countries . Potential Drawbacks Bad Corporations Are Able to Buy a Positive Image Some of the biggest contributors to are companies in the oil , tobacco , and alcohol sectors , arguably those who have the most to gain from repairing negative associations with the harm caused by their products . Although the World Health Organization has declared that tobacco is the single greatest cause of preventable deaths worldwide , that fact has not stopped global tobacco companies , such as Philip Morris International ( owner of the brand ) from spending huge sums to improve their image . Philip Morris not only contributes over 30 million per year to a variety of charitable causes in over 50 countries , it is also a leading sponsor of sporting events ( notably Formula racing ) The Public Is Misled on the True Impact of Corporate Activities , refers to the corporate practice of making misleading environmental claims . By the early , nearly a quarter of all consumer products were marketed with some sort of environmental claim , using terms such as green or environmentally So many of these claims were later found to be exaggerated or deceptive that a number of advertising regulatory bodies and consumer protection agencies around the world enacted strict controls on environmental claims in advertising . Among the leaders in making environmental claims have been oil , chemical , and companies , all of which are arguably linked to increasing levels of pollution . Thus , in Norway , for example , strict regulations prohibit car manufacturers from making virtually any environmental claims , because in the view of the Norwegian Consumers Ombudsman , cars can be environmentally As early as the , the Chevron oil company had become a leader in touting its commitment to environmentalism , but that did not prevent it from getting embroiled in a controversial lawsuit involving claims of massive amounts of pollution in the Ecuadorian Amazon , with Chevron suffering an adverse 19 billion legal judgment for the mental damage it caused . Similarly , British Petroleum ) went so far as to revamp the Debating Methods and Strategies 31

Goad Corporation , Bad Corporation corporate logo in its attempt to become recognized for environmentalism despite evidence that management was aware of the risks that led to the offshore oil platform explosion of the coast of Louisiana in 2010 , considered the worst marine oil spill in the world and the greatest environmental disaster in the history of the United States . Evidence uncovered in a Congressional hearing suggested that management had overruled its own staff and consultants to undertake riskier procedures because these were perceived to save time and and Charities May Rely Too Heavily on Corporate Handouts Many charities and come to rely heavily on corporate contributions and often on contributions from a single corporation , which leaves them at the mercy of rate goodwill , and at the risk of economic or management reversals which could lead to a cutoff of their , in the Year example discussed earlier , by 1997 , City Year found that it was almost wholly dependent on Timberland for financial support , and it was only at that point that Timberland and City Year reached out for help from other corporations . Indeed , the City Year sponsorship had even caused a problem within Timberland when the company suffered a sharp decline in revenue in 1995 that led to layoffs . Employees were angry that management continued to spend millions on charitable contributions at the same time it was terminating jobs . From a similar perspective , consider the cases of and Brothers , companies that disappeared virtually overnight due to fraud and mismanagement , respectively . Both companies maintained large programs that had to be suddenly Indeed , had become known as a leading poster child for , with widely reported commitments to green energy , so that at the 1997 Kyoto Conference it received an award from the Climate Institute . Topic for Debate To or Not to ?

You have a close friend , John Goodie , who is considering obtaining a graduate degree in business and is trying to decide between two programs . One program is part of the MBA ( master of business administration degree ) curriculum at University A , and it focuses on . The other program is part of the MBA curriculum at University , and it focuses on the management of and charities . John has always considered himself a very ethical and responsible citizen and has spent most of his summers since his teenage years volunteering in a number of community service positions . Both schools have excellent reputations , but University is slightly more prestigious . John tells you that his ultimate goal is simply to make the world a better He asks for your advice . What do you tell him ?

Provide the strongest arguments in favor of either University A or University , as follows Affirmative Position John should attend University A , which has a strong program in . Possible Arguments ' is likely to be the most powerful and effective way of making the world a better place . Debating Methods and

Good Corporation , Bad Corporation ' is a rapidly growing with lots of ' John is already implicitly interested in since he wants to make the world a better place . Negative Position John should attend University , which is slightly more but does not have a program . Possible Arguments ' There are problems with , such as ' If ohn wants to make the world a better place , he will be better of developing his skills in the more prestigious ' With a more prestigious degree , he will be able to get a job in a nonprofit or charitable organization if he wants . Readings Is Working , Marcus . Anita Corporate Social Responsibility ?

Transcript , Filmed September 15 , Corporate social responsibility , I don think it working . I think it been taken over by the big management houses , marketing houses , been taken over by the big groups like , like Arthur Anderson . Its a huge operation now . I think maybe it the word When I was part of the architects of this responsibility business movement , that was so different that was an alternative to the International Chamber of Commerce , it was a traders alliance , it had progressive thinkers , progressive academics , it had , you know , people who were philanthropists . Things happened . We didn see the whole growth of corporate globalization we didn see the immense power of businesses playing , especially in the political arena . We didn look at the language , the economic language which was about control , which was about everything had to be for the market economy . We were just around on our own thinking and so we took our eyes off the ball and when we put it on the ball again we thought , you know , it been hijacked , this social responsibility in business and it became corporate social responsibility . And it was a hu mone , for these bi mana , like , like Arthur Anderson , like , all were making loads of money by actually doing a system of analysis about how you measure your behavior . But it was no good it was like this obsession for measurement . It wasn showing you how you can put these ideas into practice and they never told you it meant a that nobody wants to discuss , that if it gets in the way of profit , businesses aren going to do anything about it . So we still have rapacious businesses , you still have businesses in bed with government , you still have governments inability to measure their greatness by how they look after the weak and the frail . You still have government only true measurement of cess as economic measurement . And you still have businesses that can legitimately kill , can legitimately have boardroom murder can legitimately have a slave labor economy so that Debating Methods and

Good Corporation , Bad Corporation all of us in the in the West , or all of us who are guaranteed a standard of living to which we are used to . But for me , corporate social responsibility in my life , I don think it has worked . And that a shame . Because it controlled the language and it hijacked the language . Marcus . Anita Corporate Social Responsibility ?

Transcript of video , Filmed September 15 , Paul Newman reflects on founding Own Newman , Paul and . Hotchner . In Common Good , New York Broadway Books , 2003 . Find this book in a library . I really can not lay claim to some terribly philanthropic instinct in my base nature . It was just a combination of circumstances . If the business had stayed small and had just been in three local stores , it would never have gone charitable . It was just an abhorrence of combining tackiness , exploitation , and putting money in my pocket , which was excessive in every direction . Now that I heavily into peddling food , I begin to understand the romance of the allure of being the biggest fish in the pond and the juice you get from beating out your competitors . I would like to see the company reach 300 million in sales , and be able to support new philanthropic initiatives . We were a joke in 1982 , but the joke has given away 250 million so we are a very practical joke . One thing that really bothers me is what I call noisy Philanthropy ought to be anonymous , but in order for this to be successful you have to be noisy . Because when a shopper walks up to the shelf and says , Should I take this one or that one ?

you ve got to let her know that the money goes to a good purpose . But overcoming that dichotomy has provided us with the means of bringing thousands of unlucky children to the Hole in the Wall Gang Camps . Since the Connecticut camp opened in 1988 , a time when only 30 percent of the children who attended survived , medical progress has been phenomenal , especially in the of bone marrow transplants the result is that the percentages have been completely percent of those children who come to camp will now survive but during the critical time of treatment and recovery we furnish them with much needed respite . It is also thrilling to note that of last summer counselors were former campers who had overcome cancer and were now taking care of kids as they were . At the end of last summer session , a counselor who had been a media major in college , on the basis of her experience at the camp changed her course of studies to pursue a medical career in pediatric oncology . Another experience last summer , a marvelous girl who told me , Coming up here is what I live for , what I stay alive for during those miserable eleven months and two weeks is to come up here for the Debating Methods and

Goad Corporation , Bad Corporate Conscience Survey Says Workers Should Come First Strom , Stephanie . Corporate Conscience Survey Says Workers Should Come The New York Times online . May 31 , Corporate Watch Critiques What Wrong with Corporate Social Responsibility ?

The Arguments against , Corporate Watch , accessed November 30 , 2014 , Like the iceberg , most activity is invisible . is often an active attempt to increase corporate domination rather than simply a defensive image management operation . is supposed to be companies make profits and society benefits . But who really wins ?

If there is a benefit to society , which in many cases is doubtful , is this outweighed by losses to society in other areas of the operation and by gains the corporation is able to make as a result ?

has ulterior motives . One study showed that over 80 of corporate were very confident in the ability of good practice to deliver branding and employee benefits . To take the example of simple corporate philanthropy , when corporations make donations to charity they are giving away their shareholders money , which they can only do if they see potential profit in it . This may be because they want to improve their image by associating themselves with a cause , to exploit a cheap vehicle for advertising , or to counter the claims of pressure groups , but there is always an underlying motive , so the company more than the charity . diverts attention from real issues , helping corporations to avoid regulation , gain legitimacy and access to markets and decision makers , and shift the ground towards privatization of public functions . enables business to pose ineffective solutions to social and environmental crises , blame or problems caused by rate operations onto the consumer and protecting their interests while hampering efforts to find just and sustainable solutions . as Public Relations sells . By appealing to customers consciences and desires helps companies to build brand loyalty and develop a personal connection with their customers . Many charity gain companies access to target markets and the involvement of the charity gives the message much greater power . In our culture , companies are looking for ever more innovative ways to get across their message , and offers up many potential avenues , such as word of mouth or guerilla marketing , for subtly reaching consumers . also helps to the image , to cover up negative impacts by saturating the media with positive images of the credentials . A prominent case against Nike in the US Supreme Court illustrates this point . When , in 2002 , the Californian Supreme Court ruled that Nike did not have the right to lie in fending itself against criticism , chaos ensued in the movement . Activist Marc attempted to sue the company over a misleading public relations campaign . Nike defended itself using the First Amendment right to free speech . The court ruled that Nike was not protected by the First Amendment , on the grounds that the publications in question were Debating Methods and

Good Corporation , Bad Corporation commercial speech . The case proceeded to the US Supreme Court . Legal briefs were to the Supreme Court by public relations and advertising trade associations , major media groups , and leading multinationals , arguing that if a company claims on human rights , environmental and social issues are legally required to be true , then companies won continue to make statements on these matters . The submission from , Bank of America , and contended that if a corporation every press release , letter to an editor , customer mailing , and website posting may be the basis for civil and criminal actions , corporate speakers will find it to address issues of public concern implicating their products , services , or business This case simply reinforces the criticism that is nothing more than a exercise . Corporations would not be so concerned about potential legal actions if they valued truth , transparency , and accountability as much as they claim . is a strategy for avoiding regulation is a corporate reaction to public mistrust and calls for regulation . In an Echo research poll , most executives interviewed strongly resisted binding regulation of companies . Companies argue that setting minimum standards stops innovation that you can regulate for ethics , you either have them or you don and that unless they are able to gain competitive advantage from , companies can not justify the cost . Companies are essentially holding the government to ransom on the issue of tion , saying that regulation will threaten the positive work they are doing . consultancy Business in the Community supports corporate lobbying against regulation , arguing that regulation can only defend against bad can never promote best These arguments , however , simply serve to expose the sham of . Why would a socially sponsible company take issue with government regulation to tackle bad corporate practice ?

argument that regulation would hinder voluntary efforts on the part of the to improve their behavior has been readily accepted by a government keen to avoid its regulatory duties when it comes to curbing corporate power . The UK Department for International Development ( the department charged with tackling global poverty missed the idea of an international legally binding framework for multinational companies saying that it would divert attention and energy away from encouraging corporate social responsibility and towards legal As this quotation shows , without any evidence for its effectiveness , the government is choosing over making corporate exploitation and abuse illegal . Leading Organizations Build Case for Green Infrastructure Leading Organizations Build Case for Green Infrastructure , Nature Conservancy , accessed June 11 , 2013 , Research by experts from industry and an environmental organization finds that nature into infrastructure can improve business bring additional economic , environmental , and . Experts from The Dow Chemical Company , Shell , Swiss Re , and , working with The Nature Conservancy and a resiliency expert , evaluated a number of business Case Debating Methods and

Good Corporation , Bad Corporation Studies , and recommend in their newly published White Paper that green infrastructure solutions should become part of the standard toolkit for modern engineers . Green infrastructure employs elements of natural systems , while traditional gray structure is . Examples of green infrastructure include creating oyster reefs for coastal protection , and reed beds that treat industrial wastewater . Instead of thinking about independent solutions , we must look at integrated systems , said Andrew , Chairman and Chief Executive of Dow . Natural systems not only serve multiple functions , but have multiple requiring less capital and less maintenance while promoting biodiversity that we all Green infrastructure can bring benefits for companies , for communities and for the environment , said Peter , Chief Executive of Royal Dutch Shell . It can be cheaper , provide new opportunities for engagement with stakeholders , and create wildlife habitats . Green infrastructure should be part of mainstream business Protecting nature and the services it provides to people and business is one of the smartest investments we can make , said Mark , president and CEO of The Nature Conservancy . This is the case whether we are talking about the production of clean , abundant freshwater , protection from storms , or healthy and productive soils . Green infrastructure solutions also provide many , such as wildlife habitat , and typically appreciate over time , rather than depreciate as happens with gray Union Carbide Corporation ( subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company ) uses wetlands to treat wastewater near in Texas . This ( approximately ) engineered wetland was designed to meet regulatory requirements for water discharge from the manufacturing plant , and has operated successfully for over a decade . Petroleum Development ( uses constructed wetlands to treat produced water from in . The , in which The Shell Petroleum Company is a joint venture partner , not only produce oil , but also more than of water per day . built the worlds largest commercial wetland , and it treats more than 30 ( or per day ) of the total produced water . This volume would normally require extensive infrastructure to treat and inject the water into a subsurface disposal well . As gravity pulls the water downhill , reeds act as , removing oil from the water . The oil is eaten by microbes that naturally feed on hydrocarbons underground . Oil content in the produced water is consistently reduced from 400 to less than when leaving the wetlands . Power consumption and emissions are 98 lower than they would have been with the alternative solution . Also , the wetlands are providing habitat for fish and hundreds of species of migratory birds . Nature is a leading conservation organization working around the world to protect ecologically important lands and waters for nature and people . The and its more than million members have protected nearly 120 million acres worldwide . Debating Methods and

Goad Corporation , Bad Corporation Synthesis Questions . Are there companies you can name whose social responsibility actions you admire and trust ?

What do they do that inspires you ?

Are there companies you can name whose social responsibility actions you would not trust , or even doubt ?

Which companies are they , and why do they fail to vince you ?

Would you like to work in the ?

Why or why not ?

Daniel , Fan and ( New York and , 2011 ) Anthony , and Shelly , Implicit Partisanship Taking Sides for No Reason , and 83 ( 2002 ) Albert and , They Saw a Game A Case Study , of 49 ( 1954 ) For a thorough review of the extensive experimental literature on unconscious bias , see and Anthony , Hidden Biases of Good People ( New York , 2013 ) Plato , The Dialogues of Plato ( Oxford Press , 1921 ) 439 . Michael , The Thought Leader Interview Daniel , Winter 2003 , accessed November 29 , 2014 , Bjorn , Cool It The Skeptical Environmentalists Guide to Global Warming ( New York Vintage , 2010 ) Five Big Myths About American Small Business , Post , May 24 , 2011 , accessed November 29 , 2014 , Integrated Partnership City Year and Timberland , International , accessed November 29 , 2014 , 10 . Corporate Contributions , Philip Morris International Management , accessed June 19 , 2015 , contributions . 11 . A Brief History of , Carp , May 22 , 2001 , accessed on November 30 , 2014 , 12 . Engineer Called Doomed Rig a Nightmare Well . Associated Press , last updated June 14 , 2010 , 13 . Robert Murphy , the Poster Child , last updated April 26 , 2008 , the poster . Debating Methods and