Beyond the Bottom Line: Putting Social Responsibility to Work for Your Business and the World

In this energizing study, Makower (The E Factor) and the advocacy group Business for Social Responsibility theorize that firms ``function best when they merge their business interests with the interests of customers, employees, suppliers.'' This social responsibility thesis-or ``caring capitalism''-is illustrated with examples from numerous well-known companies (Reebok, Body Shop). Practical tips abound as we learn how firms inaugurate such policies as environmental protection and family leave. The text is replete with quotations from memos, brochures, statements of CEOs and the like. Also included is a corporate reputation/responsibility assessment tool developed by the Levi Strauss company. Unfortunately, however, the study has nothing to say about successful firms that eschew social responsibility or those motivated only by regulatory agency guidelines. Illustrations. (Oct.)