기독교적 관점에서 본 기업의 사회책임 모델

Abstract

The need to address the ethical issues involved in economic life is becoming increasingly urgent. Many members of the public argue strongly that managers must consider the impact of their decisions and actions on society as a whole by assuming responsibility for their activities. Managers must consider economic duty and legal obligation, but responsibility towards a community extends beyond the economy and the law. Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is an organization's obligation to engage in activities that protect and contribute to the betterment of society. The doctrine of CSR rests upon the idea that business should be conducted with concern for the effects of business operation upon the attainment of valued social goals. The following are the economic goals toward which businessmen should orient themselves: high standard living, economic progress, personal security, the realization of justice and freedom, development of the individual person, community improvement and national security. In seeking these goals, CSR is evaluated by two opposing schools of thought: classical and social-economic. Classical economist, Milton Friedman argues that earning profits for owners and enhancing social welfare are incompatible and will lead to the demise of business. Social-economists propose that corporations have a responsibility to return to society a value for what is taken. This paper briefly discusses the seven important aspects of economic elements of capitalism from a Christian perspective. First, Christian thinkers deny that any particular economic system is ordained by God's will. The church and Christian individuals have a duty to work for a better social order that contributes to the realization of God's words. Second, Christian views donot provide unqualified support for private property. Property is not an absolute or inherent right, and it can only be justified to the extent that the welfare of society is served by permitting material things to be owned and administered. Third, the Bible does not view profit or profit taking as an evil act. Acquiring profit is recognized as an outcome of commercial practice as long as Christians are activated by a service motive than by a profit motive. Fourth, closely connected with the Christian view of property is the attitude toward power. In general, Christian thinkers distrust power because it is regarded as a source of injustice. Fifth, in the Christian view of capitalist system, the harshest criticism is directed toward material motivation and values, where the material takes precedence over the spiritual, and the motive of selfish gain predominates over the motive of service to society. Sixth, one of the great needs of modern life is to restore the sense of vocation so that one's job is not a mere means to survive but a God-given calling to devote. Seventh, while Christian thinkers do not argue for the equality of income, they consider that the distribution of income should be determined primarily on the basis of justice. At the end, from those Christian considerations of CSR, definite recommendations and principles to guide Christian business people are offered though without detail. But the idea is helpful in clarifying the Christian perspectives of CSR and is implicit in practice for Christian business people.