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Antonio Argandoña. The Stakeholder Theory and The Common Good
Antonio Argandoña. The Stakeholder Theory and The Common Good
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ABSTRACT. The theory of the social responsibility greatest possible) profit for its shareholders
of the firm oscillates between two extremes: one that and another
that extends the
(Friedman, 1970),
reduces the firm's responsibility to the obtainment of to include a wide
firm's responsibility range of
(the greatest possible) profit for its shareholders, and actors with an interest or "stake" -
in the firm
another that extends the firm's responsibility to
the shareholders themselves, managers,
employees
include a wide range of actors with an interest or
and workers, suppliers, customers, interest
"stake" in the firm. The stakeholder theory of the
groups, unions, competitors and so on, broad
social responsibility of business ismore appealing from
ening out via the local community to society in
an ethical point of view, and yet it lacks a solid foun
dation that would be acceptable to a variety of schools general and, eventually, the whole world.
of thought. The stakeholder
theory of the social respon
In this paper I argue that the stakeholder theory sibility the more
of business
is appealing of the
could be founded on the concept of the common two from an ethical point of view, at least if
good. First, I explain the foundations of the theory we understand ethics in a broad sense.2 And yet
of the common good, the concept itself, how it relates it lacks a solid and
philosophical, sociological
to the individual good, and its role in the firm. economic foundation that would be acceptable
Following that, I explain how the theory of the to a variety of schools of thought.
common good could be applied to the stakeholder In this paper I argue that the stakeholder
I draw some conclusions.
theory. Finally, could be founded on the concept
theory of the
common good. The term "common good" has
time-honoured philosophical roots but, for our
Introduction1
purposes, it has two disadvantages: first, it is
liable to vague and contradictory interpretations,
The theory of the social responsibility of the firm
and second, it appears not to be accepted by
oscillates between two extremes: one that reduces
certain schools of thought. Nevertheless, I feel
the firm's responsibility to the obtainment of (the
that reflecting on the concept of the common
philosophical significance: the human person guarantee their collective protection in the
needs a social life, which for him is not an of
their aims.
pursuit personal
optional extra, nor a whim, nor the product of If this is the case, it seems reasonable to argue
an instinct. To say that man is a social being that itself does not pursues any
society specific
means: 1) that he needs others to satisfy his own end of its own, but simply guarantees the more
needs, and 2) that he improves himself (becomes or less spontaneous social harmony that makes it
"more human", exercises and develops his capac possible for each individual to attain his personal
ities) in his relationships with others. Living in goals; it is an open, generalized, abstract social
society is not, therefore, a limitation for man but order that facilitates the greatest coop
possible
a
good.
eration in the pursuit of individual goals and
society, individuals retain their essential freedom, subject that relates to the stakeholders (the indi
because society has no existence independently vidual good is suppressed or becomes a residual).
of that of its members.5 And secondly, because it obliterates the variety
- or groups
This
concept of society is clearly differentiated of stakeholders persons each with
?
from two extreme positions. One of these is the their own particular interests with the result
idea of society as a mere conglomeration of indi that the only holder of relationships and rights
viduals, who are obliged to cooperate because is society as a whole (and ultimately the State,
social nature of man also manifests itself in his by all precisely because all are members of
Society's ultimate goal is the common good, cooperation. All contribute and all receive
insofar as society affords individuals (with (probably not in the same measure as they
their cooperation) the help need in contribute). This is not a that indi
they good
order to achieve
their personal goals. viduals do to the collective, or to other
The common good is the good of society individuals; they themselves have a share in
and also the good of its members, insofar it: it is a good given and received by each
as they are part of society, since the goal of person.
society is not independent of the goals of It is thus the good of the social whole,
its members. realised in its members.
The common good is not a partial good, The common good is not simply the sum
but belongs equally to all men (as social of particular interests. Nor is it equivalent
of the common good, but it can never be for him one way of securing his own personal
the whole thing.8 Nor is the common good.
good "something" that is tacked on to our The common has primacy over the
good
personal wellbeing, much less a burden particular good, but not for any quantitative
imposed on us by virtue of some alien reason; in other words, not because it is the
dictate. This conception of the common good of more people. The common good has
good distinguishes it from the utilitarian and primacy because it is the good of the whole of
consequentialist conception (Finnis, 1983; which individuals are a part ? of a whole that
good has already been stated: the origin, subject takes precedence over the right of an individual
and ultimate purpose of all institutions is and or a family to freely dispose of its income;
must be the human person. For theorists of the however, if the individual or family is unable to
common good, society is for man, not man for cover its own basic needs, its particular good
does not conflict takes priority over the good of society.
society. The good of individuals (survival)
with that of society, but is part of it. The two The common of society has primacy over
good
are not opposed, nor even separate: man seeks the good of the individual if it respects his dignity
but he cannot achieve it in and "flows" back towards the individual, con
good, except society;
for that reason, the good of is to his improvement as a person.
seeking society tributing
In summary, the tension between the indi fulfilment, freedom, satisfaction, etc.), all this in
vidual and society, between and a perspective.
personal good long-term
common good, is resolved
dynamically: the indi So what is the common good of the company
vidual has the duty to contribute to the common as I have just defined it? Not the volume of sales,
nor nor
good of society, which in turn is oriented profits, nor job creation, the prestige of
towards the individual, whose dignity and destiny its directors, although all of this can be part of
are superior to the community. And the human the company's common good. The common
person can only achieve this destiny by collabo good of the company is the fulfilment of the
in the vocation of society, which company's purpose as a company: namely, to
rating worldly
is the common good. create the conditions that will enable its members
(that is to say, all those that have a part in the
acquire and improve their professional qualifica consist in producing useful goods and services,
tions, to be
able to provide
for their family, to and producing them efficiently (so as to create
build a spirit of cooperation in their locality, to wealth) and sustainably, so as to guarantee the
foster the prosperity of their region. . . .And conditions in which each participant receives
moving on to the
deeper motives, they hope that from the company what he or she can reasonably
the enterprise will help them to achieve their expect.
aims in life: firstly, to satisfy their needs (better If we accept this view of the firm, it becomes
than by any other means); and secondly, to clear that there will always be conflict, but
develop as persons (or any other definition of not between the common good of the firm
this ultimate personal aim in life: saintliness, self (properly understood) and the individual good
(again, properly understood) of those that have owners, and 3) the "new synthesis" proposed by
a part in it. If there is conflict, it will be between Goodpaster, which distinguishes between certain
the particular interests of one person or group fiduciary responsibilities towards the owners
and those of another; between particular and other restricted, non-fiduciary responsibili
interests and a misunderstood good. common ties towards the other stakeholders (cfr. also
Because, to the extent that the company develops Boatright, 1994; Carson, 1993; Goodpaster and
its common good, all will have a share in it Holloran, 1994).
in different ways and in different pro Who are the stakeholders?
According to
(although
portions). Freeman (1984, p. 25), they are any group or
As I have already said, the common good of individual who may affect or be affected by the
is built obtainment of the company's a
any society by the members of that goals. However,
society (in our case, the company); it is realised stakeholders theory based on this definition lacks
in that society; and it is shared by the members any normative rationale or criteria for identifying
of the society also by other people).
(and The who the stakeholders are or for allocating the
capital provided by the shareholders, the cre rights corresponding to each one (Donaldson,
ativity of the managers, and the labour of the 1989). In fact: why should stakeholders be
employees, for example, make it possible for the taken into account in the company's decision
company to stay in business in the long term. making? Because they "affect" (or may affect) the
This long-term success is reflected in specific cir company's now or at any point in
performance,
cumstances, such as the desirability of working the future? This answer justifies, at the very most,
for the company, the buoyancy of its shares, or the strategic approach mentioned above and
the confidence of financial institutions. And one cannot be used as a foundation for moral duties:
way or another, all those involved share in this it is "prudent" to take them into account but
success: some with security, others with this does not mean that any duties are created
job
prestige, others with highly valued shares, and towards them.9 And, if we take into account
so on. those who "are affected" (or may be affected)
nomic) goals but without any moral content; 2) workers of a company are stakeholders, and from
the multiple-trustee which, on amoral where derive their rights and duties as
approach they
level, attributes a fiduciary responsibility to the members of the company. The main duty of each
managers towards all of the stake one of them is to play their part in achieving
company's
holders alike, whether be owners or non the company's goal, in other words, to contribute
they
to its common good: by providing into a list of rights and duties of citizens towards
firstly,
whichever factor (capital or labour) they have society (or any of the lesser societies within
agreed to provide; and secondly, by helping to society).
create the conditions in which the common good In fact, is a good
this thing. The duties of a
of the company can which means company towards, say, the people living in the
develop,
creating the conditions in which each member immediate vicinity of its factory need to be
of the company receives from the company analysed case by case, taking into account the
whatever he can reasonably expect from it, and specific circumstances of the company and the
whatever he has a right to receive by virtue of local community, and type of relationship
the
his contribution (which goes well the there is between them (in a word, the type of
beyond
payment of a wage or dividend, as I have already formal or informal society they have formed).
said). The duties of a construction company that occa
However, the common good extends beyond sionally builds up a block of flats in the town will
the confines of the company. If the common be very different from those of an animal feed
good comes from human sociability, all the factory that has its premises actually in the town
company's relationships will carry an element of and works mainly for local customers using local
common to extend the and local or those of an auto
good. We therefore have employees capital;
list of stakeholders to include customers and sup mobile spare parts factory operating on an indus
pliers, banks and unions, the local community, trial estate on the outskirts of the town and
the authorities (at different levels), interest selling to companies based in other countries,
groups, competitors, and so on, until it encom using qualified personnel from outside of town.
passes all men of all times, by virtue of the unity In each case, there is a different type of "society",
of the human family.11 and therefore also a different common good (and
At this the concept of the common a different nature of the rights and duties of the
point,
good again throws light on the nature of the firm).
company's duties towards all of these stake However, the theory of the common good
holders, and their duties towards the company. introduces a major in the traditional
change
It is not a question of drawing up a list of duties; approach to stakeholders. This approach identi
such as the duty not to cause pollution, or the fies stakeholders as those who have an
being
duty to create jobs and to practice sponsorship "interest" in the company (so that the firm, in
or the an "interest"
in the local community, duty to inform, turn, may have in satisfying their
recognize and talk with the unions; because any demands) and this may provide a sufficient
such list will always be partial and The basis for a positive theory of
organisationthe
arbitrary.
important thing is to consider what kind of social (although, probably, incomplete). The theory of
relations the company (and its internal members) the common good is based on the classic concept
maintain with the various internal and external of "good": the company does "good" to many
stakeholders, in order to identify the common people, to some by obligation and to others more
good of the society thus defined, and the rights or less And "it must do good" to
involuntarily.
and duties that emanate from that common certain groups by virtue of its obligation to
good, as here, provides a solid foun to that of the local community, the country and
presented
dation for the theory of stakeholders, their rights all humankind, including future generations. In
and duties, and the company's social responsi any case, the concept of good seems to provide
bilities, which have been a centre of debate for a more foundation for an ethical
appropriate
decades. I say that it provides a "foundation", theory than the concept of interest.
which is certainly something, but it cannot The doctrine I have been discussing also allows
the entire building, because the doctrine us to draw some
provide practical (although only very
of the common good cannot simply be translated general) conclusions regarding the way persons
(and firms) share in the common good. In prin the intiative and responsibility of persons and
ciple, they take an active part, but obviously we intermediate institutions.12
have to bear in mind the circumstances and pos
sibilities of eachperson (or company). We must
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