Today, businesses are being required to increase their environmental awareness and decrease the destruction to the environment, all the while giving the appearance of caring both for the environment and also human beings. Businesses with a conscience bring these ideals to the forefront of what they believe and not only follow guidelines themselves but advocate for the issues at hand.
In 1995, New England Electric System "constructed a pilot plant to convert waste from farms, plants, and residential areas" (Will, 1995, Pg. 17) into methane gas in order to generate electricity. This project was to be completed by 1996 and produce 36 megawatts. They also adopted demand side management reducing energy use by customers resulting in lower electric bills. Reducing waste buildup and harnessing wind's power, NES saw a way to help human beings and reduce environmental damage.
Businesses with a conscience will strive to merge people, environment, and profits all in one bubble. Keeping people happy will produce a better work ethic thereby reducing the turnover rate and an increase in moral and ethical choices. There is a movement that has swept across the United States corporations labeled me-first. Enron is a prime example of how this type of thinking produces extremely unethical decisions. "Every executive was an independent entrepreneur attempting to create new lines of business, and free to entice employees away from other units at Enron with promises of even greater bonuses" (Block, 2006). When a company's executives do not have a check and balance system in place ensuring they are following ethical decisions, the people will ultimately be the ones who suffer.
People and the environment are the most valuable resources on our planet and if we do not ensure making decisions with a conscience is accomplished at all levels, the entire train will derail. McDonald's has looked after the human side of the equation by "expending considerable money in establishing Ronald McDonald Houses, a charitable endeavor by which accommodation is provided near children's hospitals in order that families can stay near their sick children" (Blythe, 2014, Pg. 247). Taking care of a families needs in time of trial enables them to concentrate on pressing issues. Ethics and a business that has a conscience go hand-in-hand. Ethical behavior will feed a positive business conscience therefore taking care of people and the environment will be second nature.
Resources
Block, F. (2006). A CORPORATION WITH A CONSCIENCE? New Labor Forum, 15(2), 75-83,147. Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/docview/237231272?accountid=8289
Blythe, J. (2014). The philosophy of ethics and the corporate conscience. Social Business, 4(3), 245-253. doi:10.1362/204440814X14103454934258
Will, R. 1 March 1995. Corporations with a conscience, Business and Society Review, 17-20, Retrieved from EBSCO HOST