The benefits of corporations to society can benefit society while still being rooted in profit motivation. Establishing a business gives owners a competitive advantage over others. Businesses play a vital role because they provide financial prosperity, but they also provide fulfillment and riches in diverse ways. In addition, 94 percent of consumers said they would move over to another brand that supports social causes if quality and price amounted to the same, according to a 2011 research report.

This view skyrocketed from 66 percent in 1993. It should be noted that corporations endearing themselves to stakeholders tend to outdo the markets at large. Nearly all the largest businesses in the world report some type of social responsibility. Such corporations do so due to social corporate initiatives in the form of:

  1. Strengthening brand positions
  2. Increasing market and sales shares
  3. Increasing the ability to motivate, retain, and attract new workers
  4. Lowering operating costs
  5. Fostering appeal among investors

The sudden repositioning of a company role in society is taking place. Take note of the following instances:

  1. Puma has calculated the costs of water and carbon throughout its supply chain. It amounted to 100 million Euro, which comprised half of the reporting profit
  2. For Rio Tinto, the mining company recorded a distinct report to note the tax contribution it makes in all nations where it does business

Several businesses have created socio-economic assessments that note their contributions as a company, both negative and positive, and also includes knowledge creation, employment, local communities, and the environment.

When it comes to cause promotion, the business provides cash and in-kind contribution. Such activity is used to increase revenue, generate awareness and usher in volunteers. For cause-related marking, the business links in-kind donations to sales and products. Regarding corporate social marketing, the business supports the campaign to change its behavior, such as fostering an improvement of health.

Many businesses also engage in workforce volunteering, where the corporation encourages its workers to volunteer. The socially responsible company practices comprise a business practice that enhances the community while safeguarding the environment. Other ways that companies have an effect include crowd funding, investing, and efficient and scaling non-profit ventures.

Benefit Corporations

As of 2016, 30 states have followed Maryland’s lead when it comes to corporate responsibility. The corporation benefit movement got to its breaking point when Delaware imposed its own corporate benefit law, which took place in 2013. Recently, 32 states have created a certain regulation pertaining to the matter. Italy became the first nation in 2015 to create a legal status regarding benefit corporations.

Delaware’s full embrace regarding the benefit corporations notes it will remain in place and will grow larger in the U.S. and other landscapes. Benefit corporations are businesses that develop economic activities that have positive impacts on the environment, including the community, territory, and people. In the process, the companies profit from activities, which separates them from non-profit organizations. Public benefit corporations, or benefit corporations, are also variations on corporate entities.

LLC Involvement

LLCs amount to a mix between a partnership and corporation. Moreover, the public benefit corporation is a hybrid between a non-profit and for-profit corporation, and both have different results and attributes. LLCs combine the limited liabilities of a corporation with the tax benefit of a partnership. However, sole-member LLCs are taxed as a sole proprietorship instead of a partnership. A benefit corporation allows the profit motive, and the officers and directors, to pursue various social benefits, including the tradeline focus on maximizing shareholder profit. Unlike non-corporations, where the main goal is for charitable relief, the benefit corporation’s goal is to earn profits, and to offer public benefit of some kind.

On the other hand, non-profit corporations function for the sole benefit of society. The separation between the two is profound. Further, a non-profit can lose its tax-exempt status if the organization benefits provide individuals. Even if a single person benefits from the corporation, the business could still lose its tax-exempt status.

Benefit corporations pursue such factors as a focus on people, the planet, along with profits. This means that benefit corporations take environmental and social benefits just as seriously as finance. Usually, directors and officers must maximize shareholder profit at the expense of other factors. Boards of benefit corporations are permitted, and in certain cases even mandated, to consider public benefits.

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