The benefits and drawbacks of applying business ethics and CSR in different types of organisation, including sole traders, plcs and multinational corporations.

Financial benefits:

• financial performance, e.g. increased sales volume and value, profitability, liquidity, efficiency share price and company value

• access to loans and grants

• ability to charge premium prices

• risk reduction.

Non-financial benefits:

• improved customer loyalty and retention, positive brand image and social media profile

• enhanced HR practices, including recruitment, motivation and staff retention

• quality kite mark recognition and assured standards, and the impact on best practice promoting organisational change.

Drawbacks of applying business ethics and CSR in different types of organisation, including sole traders, plcs and multinational corporations, including:

• opportunity cost implications of implementing policies in relation to the business objectives of large and small businesses

• impact on business strategy, e.g. distraction from core business objectives

• cost versus benefit analysis of CSR, e.g. membership costs and recognition costs of professional bodies, monitoring costs, administration costs, additional direct and indirect staffing costs, including training costs, public perceptions of ‘green washing’.

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