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Social Responsibility

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According to Social Responsibility (2009), social responsibility is the idea that businesses should not function amorally, but instead should contribute to the welfare of their communities. In the instance of Company Q, I do not believe that the grocery store chain is being socially responsible. There are several aspects that could be improved upon. These aspects include: offering more health conscience and organic merchandise, donating items to local food banks and opening stores in lower income areas. Company Q should offer more healthy and organic options for the customers who want to purchase them. These options would be profitable for the chain. More importantly, these options would allow customers to choose merchandise that is better for themselves and the environment. Increasing healthy products available would increase the number of healthy patrons. This is a perfect example of social responsibility.
Company Q should donate food to the local food bank. The items requested were about to be thrown out anyway; instead of being wasteful, the store should give the merchandise to those in need. The company is concerned with the possibility of theft of the items, but if the store is going to throw them in the trash what does it matter? By donating food items to local food banks Company Q is showing that its management cares about the local economy and community. Company Q should open more stores in low income communities. If the chain were to do this, the local economy would profit. There would be more available jobs for those people who live nearby and cannot afford transportation to and from work. This in turn will raise the income of several residents. This would eventually better the local economy. That is social responsibility. Company Q is not currently being socially responsible. The chain should rethink the closure of stores and instead open more markets in lower income areas. Company Q should donate food items to a food bank as opposed to throwing these food items in the trash. Lastly, Company Q should offer more healthy and organic options to help the communities the chain serves increase body awareness. All of these changes would help Company Q become more socially responsible.

Reference Social Responsibility. (2009) Investorwords Web site Retrieved January 19, 2009, from: http://www.investorwords.com/4616/social_responsibility.html

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