The recent actions that Apple has appropriated, closely relates to the content of “business ethics” that was introduced. In my opinion, Apple should not shift their focus away from increasing profits. Friedman states that the main “social responsibility” of a business should be to “increase its profits as long as it stays within the rules of the game” and not about “social conscience” that leads to “social responsibility.” Although Apple has done considerably well minimizing deception and allowing parties to conduct investigations, inferring what Friedman said about “social responsibility”, Apple –despite being “socially responsible”- is reducing the stockholders money. The company is exercising “social responsibility” “rather than serving as an agent of the stockholder or the customer”; hence, the company is reducing their money rather than increasing profits. Friedman believes that companies should solely focus on increasing profit, and I agree. Relating the Apple article with Friedman’s beliefs, I support his opinion and believe that Apple should focus their efforts on profits rather than shifting efforts concerning “social responsibilities” for the company’s “conscience.” After all, improving working conditions are, at the end of the day, for the company’s self-interests, not for the workers.
Sources:
http://www.theverge.com/2014/2/13/5407406/apple-2014-supplier-responsibility-progress-report