"The social responsibility of a business is to increase its profits"- Milton Friedman.
The overaching revision theme of my A2 Business Studies exam this year is that of 'Corporate Social Responsibility'- the decision by a business to accept responsibility to its stakeholders for its environmental, ethical and social actions.
After spending a whole day revising the CSR policies of such wide ranging businesses as Marks & Spencer to Del Monte and everywhere inbetween, I am yet to find many businesses (with the notable exception of companies such as Innocent and Ben & Jerry's) who, quite frankly, give a damn.
But who's fault is this?
After trawling through endless cases of child labout, poor working conditions, companies being driven out of business etc. it became apparent to me just how readily available information about business action is to consumers.
This begs the question: as long as products are cheap, do consumers care how or in what conditions they are made? The answer, unfortunately, appears to be a big, fat "no".
Of course, some are taking a stance, but it is a pitifully small minority of people. The vast majority of people couldn't seem to care less if their pineapples are being picked by a one legged, five year Ghanaian as long as they're two for a pound.
I don't really have the energy to write any more. Back to looking at the Gulf of Mexico disaster. Sigh...
On a positive note, there is a Nyan Cat Dubstep Remix for the world to enjoy:
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