--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think that, too many times, business…" description: "\"I think that, too many times, business has been seen as acting in its narrow self-interest rather than, essentially, contributing more broadly to socie..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/506/michael-porter-12352_acting_i-think-that-too-many-times-business-has_942391.png" --- # I think that, too many times, business has been seen as… ![“I think that, too many times, business has been seen as acting in its narrow self-interest rather than, essentially, contributing more broadly to society. I think a lot of that is unintentional; I don't think that many managers are deliberately trying to be unethical or are not trying to be…” quote by Michael Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/506/michael-porter-12352_acting_i-think-that-too-many-times-business-has_942391.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/506/michael-porter-12352_acting_i-think-that-too-many-times-business-has_942391.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/506/michael-porter-12352_acting_i-think-that-too-many-times-business-has_942391.png) > “I think that, too many times, business has been seen as acting in its narrow self-interest rather than, essentially, contributing more broadly to society. I think a lot of that is unintentional; I don't think that many managers are deliberately trying to be unethical or are not trying to be sensitive to social needs.” [Michael Porter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-porter/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Businesses often prioritize profit over societal contribution, usually unintentionally, not out of deliberate immorality. **In simple terms:** Companies focus on profit, not society. Key Takeaway Align profit with social good. Themes business ethics society leadership Mood reflective critical Type analytical thought‑provoking When to use this quote - strategic planning - marketing - product development - community outreach - policy making Key Concepts Corporate social responsibility unintentional bias stakeholder theory Questions to Reflect On - How can profit goals be balanced with social impact? - What structures prevent unintentional harm? A Different Perspective Profit motives can conflict with ethical choices. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Acting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/acting/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Management](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/management/) [Self interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-interest/) [Social](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social/) [Society](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/society/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [I think managers see that I am honest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adam-lallana/i-think-managers-see-that-i-am-honest/) [Adam Lallana](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adam-lallana/) > [I think that many managers we meet do take their roles as leaders very seriously and do a lot for their people. 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