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Social Responsibility and Issue Intensity (Scenario)

question 45

Multiple Choice

Social Responsibility and Issue Intensity (Scenario)
Rick is president of a company that manufactures secondary wood products for the construction industry. Recently, there have been many reports of a plywood sub-flooring product that has been failing in a number of commercial locations, resulting in several complaints about ruined floor coverings and, in one instance, the partial collapse of a floor, which injured three people. The manager of research and development has asked marketing to stop selling the product while he runs some tests to determine the source of the problem. However, third-quarter earnings reports are due out in two weeks and public knowledge of problems concerning this lucrative product are likely to delay the financing of the company's expansion plans and cause stock prices to tumble. Rick has a dilemma. Should he continue to sell the product and delay research efforts in order to maintain the expansion plans, but risk causing more damage and injury? Or should he immediately stop sales of the product and run the necessary tests, thereby placing the expansion plans at risk and causing potential losses for the company's shareholders?
-If Rick decides to stop sales and investigate the flooring product because he feels a responsibility toward society as well as shareholders,he would be operating under the ________ view of social responsibility.

Definitions:

Operating Leverage

An indicator of the extent to which increases in revenue lead to increases in operating profit, showing the level of fixed expenses within the financial framework of a business.

Fixed Costs

Expenses that do not change with the level of production or sales over a short period, such as rent, salaries, and insurance.

Forecasting Risk

The potential for future revenues or earnings to deviate from projected amounts due to variables that affect demand, supply, and pricing.

NPV Estimates

Calculations used to determine the Net Present Value of an investment, forecasting the difference between the present value of cash inflows and outflows.