Quote:
Originally Posted by woob
And you manage to accurately summarize one of the reasons why people are protesting.  How far do you let "maximize profits and shareholder value" go? You're accurately explaining the status quo on the corporate front and people are saying the status quo is no longer OK with them. You are 100% valid holding your opinion that this ok and business as usual. The protesters and other people are also 100% valid in stating otherwise.
Regarding a company being socially responsible, let me share this story of a company I know about. The company is facing a land use dispute. The group of people making the dispute are asking for monetary compensation to make the dispute go away, essentially. Now, the O&G company could just pay this group of people and be done with it. Project moves ahead, profits rise, shareholder value increases. However, they are not just throwing money at the dispute as the group of people are requesting. They are going to mediation saying yes, we'll provide you with monetary compensation but it will be in the form of community improvements, money for programs, etc. They are addressing the dispute and making a socially responsible choice that is no doubt affecting the project, their profits, and their shareholder value. |
You still don't get it. I'm not arguing for business as usual, I'm pointing out that the direction of your scorn is entirely misplaced. You're blaming businesses for playing by the rules when your real beef is with the rules.
As for your example, unless you can provide details on the dollar figures involved and particular offers made I'm going to have to reserve any judgment on what the company is truly doing. They could well be acting in a very self serving manner with their subsequent offer, you simply haven't looked deep enough into the issues to see it.