Essay on Business Ethics- People, Profits
Some people like gambling in Las Vegas. They are prepared to put their resources to support businesses that are probably not eco-friendly (massive energy use to keep the desert cool; water diverted to maintain golf courses only relatively few use, and so no). The businesses could argue that they are morally neutral, and only responding to customer demand. Now, Elkington wants businesses to be more accountable for their environmental practices. Does it matter that a highly profitable company (e.g., a casino) could print a true account of its activities and suffer no societal sanction or penalty? Should we regulate them on a societal level? Should they be more environmentally conscious?
Businesses should be more accountable for their environmental practices. According to researchers, “environmental management skills will need to be developed to monitor performance, and protect and conserve natural resources”(Olson, 2009, p. 48). Although some business owners argue that their businesses are morally neutral, and only responding to customer demands, there is a necessity to enhance environmental practices through considerable changes in everyday activities. For example, the delivery of water to Las Vegas should not cause damage to the environment. Employees should be more concerned about the environmental impacts of business development. A highly profitable company like Las Vegas Casino should direct its activities toward the implementation of healthy environmental policies, avoiding penalties and societal sanctions.
To start with, it does matter that a highly profitable company (e.g., a casino) could print a true account of its activities and suffer no societal sanction or penalty. Businesses like Las Vegas casino require special attention due to continual economic expansion of such places. Christopher Norment (2014) argues that “the best chance for protecting the aquatic species and eco-systems of the region might involve a prolonged long-term economic downturn for Las Vegas” (p. 227). At the same time, the proper strategies could be used to reduce negative impact of businesses on the environment. It is necessary to realize that if businesses suffer no societal sanction or penalty for their environmental impacts, the government is weak in solving global problems (Gibson, 2006). Societal sanctions should be powerful to address the needs and requirements of communities, which face environmental risks.
Undoubtedly, we should regulate businesses on a societal level. Businesses should bear responsibility for their actions through effective regulation of their corporate behavior on social and environmental issues. As a rule, high priority environmental impacts of the high profitable companies like Las Vegas Casino are centered on water use, waste disposal and energy consumption. Businesses should combine specially developed environmental strategies with high profits (Dixon, 2014). Society should have a strong impact on environmental regulation because government –regulated policies may lack certain elements that affect implementation. On a societal level, any environment-related policy could be analyzed in a proper way. If businesses are regulated on a societal level, there could be more benefits for society.
In general, businesses should be more environmentally conscious because this issue is an issue of public concern. It is necessary to integrate environmental programs into the company’s system of control and accounting in order to meet the needs of society. Environmental managers should be able to share their knowledge and experience with others to foster eco-friendly environment (Wrisberg & Udo de Haes, 2009). If businesses are prepared to support eco-friendly environmental practices, there would be no sanctions or penalties. This fact means, businesses could function based on ethical principles, which are aimed at maintaining healthy environment.
In conclusion, it is necessary to conclude that any business should be accountable for its environmental practices. Las Vegas Casino is no exception. A highly profitable company like Las Vegas Casino should use the proper strategies aimed at implementation of healthy environmental policies, avoiding penalties and societal sanctions. In general, Elkington’s decision to make businesses more accountable for their environmental practices is essential for maintaining eco-friendly environment. As a result, it does matter that the activities of a highly profitable company should be well-planned to avoid societal sanction or penalty.
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