Discussion Questions

1) What is the common denominator that coheres, defines, and sets the parameters of the emerging Global Community?

A "shared stake or responsibility in the condition of the earth and society. "

2) What is the fundamental attribute that stakeholders and shareholders of a given company have in common?

Stakeholders and shareholders are both invested (literally!) in the financial growth and well being of a corporation.

3) In what ways was the Montgomery Bus Boycott of the civil rights era a precursor to the “ethical consumption” discussed in the Dawkins/Lewis article?

The Montgomery Bus Boycott was a prominent precursor to “ethical consumption” because it was an exemplified shareholders (purchacers of bus tickets) holding a corporation (the bus company) accountable for not being socially responsible (racism).

4) In reference to the Felton Earls article, what “self interested” responsibility might Corporations have to deal with the issue of Urban Poverty?

Through investing in a neighborhood or providing jobs for residents stricken by poverty , companies could help to make a region more habitable while gaining support from those they have aided. Through these positive business practices, cities are bolstered lives are bettered.

5) What is the Community Reinvestment Act? (SCSR chapter 7) Do you agree with it? Why or why not? To what extent might it be “self-interested” for a company to go above and beyond its prescriptions?

The Community Reinvestment Act“is intended to encourage depository institutions to help meet the credit needs of the communities in which they operate”. This act mandates that banks invest in their local communities.

In total, the CRA has initiated $1.5 trillion in community investment projects!

Although I think that CSR should be voluntary, this act has proven (by its impact) that laws that encourage CSR should represent the wave of the future of improving our communities.

6) In reference to Goodpastor and Matthew’s “Hand of Management” archetype, is it possible for a business to have thoughts? How? Similarly, is a business a “machine”, an “institution”, an “organism”, or some combination of the three?

The “Hand of Management” projects the idea that a business can be morally conscious. A business is made up of people and their thoughts and ideas can be seen in every aspect of business. Also, a business must survive and sustain itself. A business can seem to have thoughts when the ideas of its workers to change current practices and impact the community are used.

I think that business is akin to an organism. It is a working body of many parts and each part has a function. Like a business each part of the organism works together to replenish itself and grow. The well being of the whole organism relies on the health of each parts and its environment.

7) In what ways are "Corporations" part of their natural ecology? What does this imply about their "responsibility" to the environment?

Companies exist within a physical environment and house the people that inhabit an environment. Therefor, companies are responsible for minimizing their impact on the environment and taking care of the workers who exist in both settings.