Aligning Corporate Actions with the Common Good

In a recent post by Chris McDonald of the Business Ethics blog, (http://www.businessethics.ca/blog/) the case is made that while corporations may create programs for the common good, their primary interests are for the corporate good. McDonald writes:

The real point is that corporate interests -- even the interests of well-meaning corporations full of kind-hearted people -- are not the same as the interests of any other relevant group or individual."

Over and over we either see corporations vilified for apparently ignoring the common good or praised for advancing it. But the fact remains, corporations exist to accomplish their own mission and they are accountable to the public - not just the shareholders - for that mission. And here's the key: That's okay.

Not only is it okay, it's the way it's supposed to work. Unless and until individual interests are met, the interests of the common good cannot be met. Each group, each individual, each corporation must provide for its survival and future viability to be any good to anyone else.

So, in a case like McDonald is commenting on - the confluence of Roche's drug marketing interests with the interests of the Cancer United Campaign - what's an ethical individual to do? If you are a shareholder in Roche, make your interests known. Let Roche know that you really care about and support the goals of Cancer United and want to see it advanced even at a cost to the corporation.

Corporations do not exist in a vacuum. They are legal entities accountable to some group of stakeholders. (Even closely held corporations, but that is yet another subject). It is up to us - the public - to invite corporations to share in our interests and to help them see how it is in their best interests to do so.

Be vocal. Be visible. Say to yourself this is all Starting With Me. - SWiM™