Can corporations make good global citizens/entities?

   In most cases, I would have to say corporations do not make good global citizens/entities.  A corporation, usually, thinks only about itself. As Mary Robinson said in her article Beyond Good Intentions: Corporate Citizenship for a New Century "good intentions clearly won't be enough...business community [should focus] not only on policies of good corporate citizenship but also their implementation in practice" (22). It is possible for a corporation to make a good global impact, however I feel that the corporation typically thinks only of the corporation, and so therefore is selfish citizen and won't really help out the global community if it does not see a benefit for itself.

     David Henderson claims that the only way companies can helpfully respond to 'society's expectations' is by aiming "to meet the 'triple bottom line', rather than focusing narrowly on profitability and shareholder value" (23). I would have to agree with this consensus.  If the corporate world can focus on two different ideals, itself, and the other part of society, than they can be helpful.  However, "CSR" (Corporate social responsibility) really does not focus on the community, but on the corporation. It's issues are incorrect. Even when corporations try to aim for some societal goals, they tend to fail because they can not make an effect case.

   In order for corporations to be good global entities, they have to adhere to many things.  For example, they need to respect human rights, uphold labor laws, do not discriminate, and be environmentally conscience.  These are some high goals for a corporation to adhere to, although it seems basic.  Many corporations have child labor factories throughout the world.  Many works are overworked and underpaid. Many corporations and companies hurt the environment.  Something as selfish and big as a corporation will have a hard time being a good global citizen. Perhaps if one really tried to be a good global entity they couldn't do it because they'd lose in their competition. Corporations are corporations because of what they do, and only a strong and determined one could ever be a good global citizen or entity.