Social Responsibility In New Technology Firms: The Executive View

Abstract

The study presents the results of a survey designed to identify the social responsibility of chemical, computer, and pharmaceutical firms. The approach to measuring social responsibility is based on the framework set forth by Sethi (1979) in which operating strategies of firms are indicators of their social responsibility. Examining new technology assessment as an operating strategy, the study found that responding firms react much more to social obligation (accountability) than to social responsiveness (anticipating social norms).