answer07

Take a position and defend it: Yes or No? Leaders of for-profit organizations have a primary role of maximizing profit.

Neither yes or no apply appropriately here as a general rule. I can offer defenses of both positions according to an organization's stance on corporate responsibility along the dimensions of the motives of self interest and moral responsibility and the orientations of stockholder and stakeholder.

For example, if I hold a self-interest motive with an orientation toward stockholders (productivist), maximizing profit at any cost is of the utmost importance -- it matters little if I save money by cutting ecological corners because it means more profit for stockholders, at least in the short term.

If I hold a moral responsibility motive with an orientation towards protecting stockholders (philanthropist), it means that profits are a key role, but that profits must be balanced with responsibility towards righteous actions, such as discovering creative ways of using income as a way of investment into social construction.

If I take a self-interest motive with an orientation towards protecting stakeholders (progressivist), it means that I seek profits while considering the needs and wants of those outside of my organization, which may limit and redirect monies which might otherwise be profits to supporting the social, business, and customer constructs indirectly related to my business.

If I hold a moral responsibility motive with an orientation towards stakeholders (idealist) I may go so far as to see the key role of the leader not necessarily to maximize profit at all, unless it is gained for the purpose of redistribution, development, and betterment of stakeholders such as the surrounding community, the schools in the area, and others who may not be directly affected to my business, in addition to the board, the customers, and the employees of my organization.

My own answer would be generally no, that leaders of for-profits have a primary role of running the organization dutifully, with responsibility, and with an ethically sensible point of view, so that profits can emerge, be supported with innovation and diversity, and not suddenly be taken away because of ethical accusations, litigation, or social appearances due to unethical behavior in search of profit for profit's sake.