The Social and Economic Goals of Business Organizations

The paper looks at the strategies of Polish businesses to determine if these companies are interested in helping solve social problems in their community. The author assumes that a business organization is an integral part of a social development model in which consumers are seen not only as a market but also as a community that builds democracy. Consequently, enterprises should follow rules that help maintain the socioeconomic order in the community and follow shared values, the author says. This means that enterprises should not harm society while pursuing profit. The moral responsibility of individuals for their economic decisions becomes a fundamental component of corporate social responsibility, according to Grzegorzewska-Ramocka. While making business decisions, entrepreneurs must follow certain legal, ethical, moral and social standards. They should not limit themselves to choosing between profit and risk, the author says, but their main aim should be to replace profit maximization with the maximization of the company’s market value. According to the author, every company can contribute to the idea of corporate social responsibility by helping its local community. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) means operating a business in a manner that meets or exceeds the ethical, legal, commercial and public expectations that society has of business. CSR is a commitment for businesses to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the work force and their families as well as the local community at large. CSR means that a business organization takes responsibility for the impact of its activities on its employees, customers, the community, and the environment