http://www.thecorporation.com/index.cfm?page_id=314

Forms of Business Ownership Sole Proprietorship Partnership Corporation

‘Cha Na Da’ (Wishing ‘Double Happiness’ – often only written.)

‘Gong Suh’ Company / Corporation

Corporations Corporations are a group of people authorized to act as a single entity (legally a person) and recognized as such in law.

Every Corporation must have at least one shareholder Every Corporation must have at least one shareholder. (How many pieces of ownership can the company be split into?) Coca Cola (KO) : 2.26 Billion Shares

Shares outstanding (billions) company Ticker Shares outstanding (billions) General Electric GE 10.1 Microsoft MSFT 9.3 Pfizer PFE 6.8 Cisco Systems CSCO 6.1 AT&T T 6.0 Intel INTC 5.8 Exxon Mobil XOM 5.4

Benefits of Corporations Raising Capital! Perpetual Existence! Tax Advantages Ownership is easily transferable Limited Liability!

‘The Corporation’ The principle concern of any corporation is making a sustained profit for the people who own it. The Corporation is recognized as ‘a person.’ But what kind of a person will it be if it is solely concerned with profit? When there are environmental disasters, products that cause health problems, unethical & exploitive work practices – who is responsible?

(We can replace the people running the company, but does that change that corporation’s primary purpose?) Ultimately, our world will have corporations. We will need corporations. HOW though, can corporations exist in the best interest of the world’s population? (Environmentally, Socially, Economically)

… the rest of the film … http://movies.netflix.com/WiPlayer?movieid=60034810&trkid=2026976&t=The+Corporation

Where do we stand? How can we ensure corporations are held accountable for their actions? Should individuals (directors, employees, shareholders) bear any responsibility for the actions of a corporation? If so, to what degree? What are the benefits of the corporate form? Could an alternative model offer these as well?

Global Business Ethics & Responsibility Business Ethics is concerned with the behaviour of businesses, companies, and corporations in the treatment of: employees society stockholders consumers

Ethics Ethics determine policies for: Environmental Issues Social Responsibility Human Rights

Codes of Ethics (Codes of Conduct) Companies may choose to express their principles and values (how their members should appropriately act) in a ‘code of ethics.’ This is similar to how a populations principles and values are expressed in codified laws.

http://images.apple.com/supplierresponsibility/pdf/Supplier_Code_of_Conduct_V3_1.pdf

Taking Action http://www.thecorporation.com/index.cfm?page_id=19

Stock Portfolio Profile Portfolio Stock Charts Code of Ethics