Ethics in Business & Corporate Social Responsibility

Businesses do not operate in isolation — they have a responsibility to society and the environment, not just to their shareholders. This lesson explores business ethics, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and the trade-offs businesses face between profit and social responsibility.

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What Are Business Ethics?

Business ethics are the moral principles that guide how a business behaves. An ethical business considers the impact of its decisions on all stakeholders — not just on profit.

Ethical Issue	Description
Fair trade	Paying fair prices to producers in developing countries
Environmental responsibility	Reducing pollution, waste, and carbon emissions
Honest marketing	Not making false or misleading claims about products
Fair treatment of workers	Paying fair wages, providing safe conditions, respecting rights
Animal welfare	Avoiding animal testing and ensuring humane treatment
Tax responsibility	Paying a fair share of tax rather than using aggressive tax avoidance schemes

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Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)