There is a great deal of pressure on CEOs in recent years to use moral criteria in making decisions.?

Question

There is a great deal of pressure on CEOs in recent years to use moral criteria in making decisions. Some observers are concerned that too much emphasis on ethics will lead to less aggressive and competitive behavior, which may adversely affect profitability.

Answer 1

For as long as I have been aware, society has been putting pressure on businesses to "shape up."
When shaping up costs money and does not lead to increased productivity, businesses will reject or avoid the perceived social/moral responsibilities.
The steel making industry is a good example. For years pressure was put on the clean up the processes. The cost to clean up has pretty much forced the steel industry out of the Pittsburgh, PA area. Estimate lost jobs since 1980: 220,000. The population of Pgh has dropped from 600,000 to an expected 300,000 by 2010.