How can a company's environmental/social impact be markettable?

[Steven N]

In today's free market society, companies can become extremely powerful and wealthy. But what do they do with that wealth? I'm curious if the influential, innovative nature of capitalism can or should be bent toward a social benefit on a large scale. Should we hold companies to a higher standard than just the lowest prices or the best product? Should we also assess them on what impact they have on society?

[nicehome197]

Certainly if a company is doing things that are beneficial to society it usually uses an advertisement, not just to show that they are benevolent, but also to maybe profit off of the benevolence or good work. Though we are capitalists, we are also a free society. Business owners and CEOs, etc. should be able to do what they want to do with the money that they have earned. Biblically though any person that God has blessed with wealth should use it for the higher good of helping others.

[jim w]

Bill Gates is doing a fine job of showing the world what to due with super wealth. The problem is will the rest of the world follow his example?
Vegas odds 1,250,000 to 1 says no.

Corps's have one responsibility. Make the largest profit possible for their share holders. Until this changes, see my Vegas odds.

[Clint P]

companies do what you do with your earnings

do u prefer higher prices and worse product?

a company runs on consumers; gas prices go up and ppl can drive less or pay more - which do u think most ppl do?

to market a company's environmental / social impact that company needs product that encompasses those virtues - hybrid engines - ethanol gasoline - etc.

[Louis Z]

Use your PR depatrment or skills to get placement in periodicals or on the news so people are aware of your work for others. There are many organizations that only buy from socially concious companies. You can find them on the web. I think there is one that i read about in regarad to a Walmart article i was reading recently. These organizations are full of shoppers who literally vote their purse strings by only buying from companies who share their values.