Business Quote by Paul Hawken
“Businesses who are members of Businesses for Social Responsibility or the Social Venture Network are internalizing costs on a voluntary basis and therefore raising their costs of doing business, but their competitors are not required to.”
About This Quote
Source Article: Business for Social Responsibility Report, 2008
Voluntary social responsibility raises costs for participants while competitors avoid them, creating an uneven playing field.
In simple terms: Voluntary CSR can be a competitive disadvantage.
Key Takeaway
Consider fairness when adopting voluntary standards.
Themes
business ethics
competition
social responsibility
Mood
critical
concerned
Type
analytical
policy‑oriented
When to use this quote
- green product development
- supply chain audits
- public relations campaigns
- industry lobbying
Key Concepts
Corporate social responsibility
cost internalization
market dynamics
Questions to Reflect On
- Should CSR be mandatory to level the field?
- How can voluntary firms stay competitive?
A Different Perspective
If only a few adopt, they may be priced out of the market.
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