International Journal For Multidisciplinary Research

E-ISSN: 2582-2160   •   Impact Factor: 9.24

A Widely Indexed Open Access Peer Reviewed Multidisciplinary Bi-monthly Scholarly International Journal

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The Ethical Balance Sheet: Re-examining Profit and Social Responsibility through Classical Ethical Frameworks

Author(s) Prof. Srijani Sarkar
Country India
Abstract In today’s interconnected and crisis-prone global economy, the long-standing debate between shareholder value maximization and broader stakeholder responsibility has acquired renewed urgency. This paper introduces the concept of an “Ethical Balance Sheet” as an analytical lens to examine how corporations negotiate ethical tensions while pursuing profitability. Using a descriptive and comparative approach, the study revisits three foundational ethical traditions—Teleological ethics, Deontological ethics, and Virtue ethics—and evaluates their relevance in contemporary corporate decision-making.
Drawing on historically significant corporate case studies, including the Ford Pinto controversy, the Rana Plaza industrial disaster, and Patagonia’s purpose-driven business model, the paper highlights the practical consequences of ethical choices made by organizations. The analysis suggests that although outcome-based reasoning rooted in utilitarian logic continues to dominate managerial thinking, an ethics of virtue—anchored in character, prudence, and long-term responsibility—offers a more sustainable and risk-resilient pathway for businesses operating under increasing social scrutiny.
Keywords Business Ethics; Ethical Balance Sheet; Profit Maximization; Social Responsibility; Teleological Ethics; Deontological Ethics; Virtue Ethics; Corporate Governance; Stakeholder Theory; Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR); Sustainable Business Practices
Field Business Administration
Published In Volume 7, Issue 6, November-December 2025
Published On 2025-12-28
DOI https://doi.org/10.36948/ijfmr.2025.v07i06.64564
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