Chemistry Lab

The pKa of an Unknown Acid-Base Indicator By: Josephine Hong Lab Instructor: Yue Zhang Due: April 5, 2013 Submitted: April 5, 2013 Abstract: In this lab, the pKa of the unknown indicator of expression was determined both qualitatively and quantitatively. To verify our procedures, the experiment was tested using a known indicator, bromocresol green. Qualitatively, we used the color change of the solution with indicator to obtain the pKa value solely using a pH meter. Quantitatively, we used a pH meter and the spectrophotometer with varying concentrations of the acid and base.The maximum wavelengths of absorbance used to quantify the dissociated and undissociated forms of the bromocresol green were 440 nm (yellow, undissociated) and 616 nm (blue dissociated). For the unknown indicator, the wavelengths were 505. 96 nm (red, undissociated) and 601. 66 nm (blue, dissociated). For bromocresol green, the experimentally obtained pKa value measured qualitatively was 4. 04. Quantitatively, the pKa came out to be 4. 16. The percentage error (10. 47%) obtained was within reasonable range, allowing the same procedures to be used to determine the pKa value of the unknown indicator, Indicator of Freedom.Indicator was Freedom was found to have a pKa value of 5. 32 qualitatively essay writer typer. On the other hand, the quantitative pKa was measure to be 4. 265. Introduction: This lab applies the concept of an indicator dye, which is principally a weak acid that changes colors when reacting with the amount of hydronium ion in a solution. Thus, the qualitative part of the lab assumes that at the point where the solution changes color into an intermediate shade of the two, the concentrations of [HIn] and [In-] is approximately equal. Using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation for them: he pH equals pKa when the ratio between the indicator and its conjugate base is 1. Subsequently, the quantitative portion of the lab deals with the relationship between absorbance and concentration: A1(? )A2(? )= c1c2 Thus, a certain absorbance of a solution can provide the concentration of the indicator and its conjugate base when taking into consideration the maximum wavelength of the two colors. Experimental Section: To reduce the volumes of acid and base needed and the amount of time to complete the lab, the stock solutions of strong acid and base were diluted to at least one-fourth their starting amount.Thus, 60 mL of deionized water was added to both stock solutions of 20 mL HCl and NaOH to create 2 new 80 mL diluted solutions. Part 1: Finding pKa Qualitatively 25 mL solution of the diluted NaOH with 3 drops of indicator was titrated against the diluted HCl drop wise until a color change occurred. To determine the pKa of the indicators, the pH of the solutions were taken with a pH meter when there was a color change. Determining the color of bromocresol green to be yellow when acidic and blue when basic, the point of color change to measure pH was when the solution turne d green.Likewise, the indicator of Freedom was red when acidic and blue when basic, which established the point of color change to be purple. These steps were performed three times for both the known and unknown indicators to find an average pKa value. Part 2: Finding pKa Quantitatively For the quantitative determination of pKa, multiple solutions of varying acid/ base concentration were prepared with 3 drops of indicator. Despite the varying concentrations of each solution, the total volume stayed constant at 20 mL.Before anything, the wavelengths of maximum absorbance were determined first by using solutions of pure acid and base with three drops of indicator. For each solution, the pH was measured before placing them in cuvettes to measure their absorbance values using the spectrophotometer. These steps were performed for both the known and unknown indicator. Results: Table 1: Qualitative Data for Bromocresol Green Trial| pH| 1| 3. 82| 2| 3. 93| 3| 4. 36| Average| 4. 04| Calculat ion of Average: Table 2: Maximum Absorbance and for Bromocresol Green | HCl w/ 3 Drops Indicator| NaOH w/ 3 Drops Indicator| Concentration (M)| . 028| . 0962| (nm)| 440| 616| Solution Color| Yellow| Blue| Absorbance| . 116| . 243| Table 3: Quantitative Data for Bromocresol Green Volume of HCl (mL)| Volume of NaOH (mL)| pH| Absorbance HIn| AbsorbanceIn-| 14| 6| 3. 50| . 055| . 015| 9| 10| 4. 39| . 044| . 048| 7| 13| 5. 30| . 024| . 103| Figure 1: Absorbance vs. pH for Bromocresol Green Percent Error Calculation for Bromocresol Green: error *pKa of Bromocresol Green was found online Table 4: Qualitative Data for Indicator of Freedom Trial| pH| 1| 5. 50| 2| 5. 33| 3| 5. 12| Average| 5. 32| Table 5: Maximum Absorbance and for Bromocresol Green HCl w/ 3 Drops Indicator| NaOH w/ 3 DropsIndicator| Concentration (M)| . 1028| . 0962| (nm)| 505. 96| 601. 66| Solution Color| Red| Blue| Absorbance| . 703| . 945| Table 6: Quantitative Data for Bromocresol Green Volume of HCl (mL)| Volume of NaOH (mL)| pH| Absorbance HIn| AbsorbanceIn-| 18| 2| 2. 07| . 360| . 046| 14| 6| 2. 36| . 374| . 048| 10| 10| 3. 88| . 347| . 087| 10| 10| 3. 04| . 312| . 041| 9| 11| 9. 35| . 148| 1. 127| 9. 5| 10. 5| 5. 95| . 171| . 686| 9. 75| 10. 25| 5. 45| . 230| . 424| 9. 25| 10. 75| 9. 13| . 146| . 913| Figure 2: Graph of Absorbance vs. pH for Indicator of Freedom Discussion:The qualitative part of the lab had room for a lot of errors. The unreliability of visual observation of the slight color change in solution could have dramatically affected the results. Because the experimentally determined pKa was less than the actual pKa for both cases, strong enough color change were probably not observed. Since the titration was performed roughly using drops, the drops could have added more acid than needed, resulting in a smaller pKa.. Quantitatively, the pKa can be determined by plotting the data, with absorbance as a function of pH. There will be two separate lines, one for each wavelength of the two colors.The intersection of these two lines will indicate the point at which the pH should be equal to the pKa. This works because at the intersection point: pH=pKa+logIn-HIn It is known that A1A2= c1c2. Since A1= A2 at the intersection point of the graph, then 1= c1c2= In-HIn. Thus,pH=pKa+log1 pH=pKa at the intersection of both curves The procedure for determination of bromocresol green pKa appeared to have worked, because the percent error was roughly around 10%. Although slightly high, these errors are unpreventable. For example, cuvettes with smudges on the sides would have increased the absorbance readings of the solutions.Moreover, the maximum wavelength is crucial because it is used as a standard to know where to record the absorbance levels of the other solutions. This is because it is where the maximum absorbance occurs for the particular color produced by the solution is. It is important to measure the absorbance levels at these standardized wavelengths to keep the data con sistent and to have the ability to compare the absorbance levels of two solutions without the need to calibrate or adjust the readings. Finally, a limited number of data points when determining the pH graphically could have also added to the error in this experiment. Chemistry Lab The pKa of an Unknown Acid-Base Indicator By: Josephine Hong Lab Instructor: Yue Zhang Due: April 5, 2013 Submitted: April 5, 2013 Abstract: In this lab, the pKa of the unknown indicator of expression was determined both qualitatively and quantitatively. To verify our procedures, the experiment was tested using a known indicator, bromocresol green. Qualitatively, we used the color change of the solution with indicator to obtain the pKa value solely using a pH meter. Quantitatively, we used a pH meter and the spectrophotometer with varying concentrations of the acid and base.The maximum wavelengths of absorbance used to quantify the dissociated and undissociated forms of the bromocresol green were 440 nm (yellow, undissociated) and 616 nm (blue dissociated). For the unknown indicator, the wavelengths were 505. 96 nm (red, undissociated) and 601. 66 nm (blue, dissociated). For bromocresol green, the experimentally obtained pKa value measured qualitatively was 4. 04. Quantitatively, the pKa came out to be 4. 16. The percentage error (10. 47%) obtained was within reasonable range, allowing the same procedures to be used to determine the pKa value of the unknown indicator, Indicator of Freedom.Indicator was Freedom was found to have a pKa value of 5. 32 qualitatively essay writer typer. On the other hand, the quantitative pKa was measure to be 4. 265. Introduction: This lab applies the concept of an indicator dye, which is principally a weak acid that changes colors when reacting with the amount of hydronium ion in a solution. Thus, the qualitative part of the lab assumes that at the point where the solution changes color into an intermediate shade of the two, the concentrations of [HIn] and [In-] is approximately equal. Using the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation for them: he pH equals pKa when the ratio between the indicator and its conjugate base is 1. Subsequently, the quantitative portion of the lab deals with the relationship between absorbance and concentration: A1(? )A2(? )= c1c2 Thus, a certain absorbance of a solution can provide the concentration of the indicator and its conjugate base when taking into consideration the maximum wavelength of the two colors. Experimental Section: To reduce the volumes of acid and base needed and the amount of time to complete the lab, the stock solutions of strong acid and base were diluted to at least one-fourth their starting amount.Thus, 60 mL of deionized water was added to both stock solutions of 20 mL HCl and NaOH to create 2 new 80 mL diluted solutions. Part 1: Finding pKa Qualitatively 25 mL solution of the diluted NaOH with 3 drops of indicator was titrated against the diluted HCl drop wise until a color change occurred. To determine the pKa of the indicators, the pH of the solutions were taken with a pH meter when there was a color change. Determining the color of bromocresol green to be yellow when acidic and blue when basic, the point of color change to measure pH was when the solution turne d green.Likewise, the indicator of Freedom was red when acidic and blue when basic, which established the point of color change to be purple. These steps were performed three times for both the known and unknown indicators to find an average pKa value. Part 2: Finding pKa Quantitatively For the quantitative determination of pKa, multiple solutions of varying acid/ base concentration were prepared with 3 drops of indicator. Despite the varying concentrations of each solution, the total volume stayed constant at 20 mL.Before anything, the wavelengths of maximum absorbance were determined first by using solutions of pure acid and base with three drops of indicator. For each solution, the pH was measured before placing them in cuvettes to measure their absorbance values using the spectrophotometer. These steps were performed for both the known and unknown indicator. Results: Table 1: Qualitative Data for Bromocresol Green Trial| pH| 1| 3. 82| 2| 3. 93| 3| 4. 36| Average| 4. 04| Calculat ion of Average: Table 2: Maximum Absorbance and for Bromocresol Green | HCl w/ 3 Drops Indicator| NaOH w/ 3 Drops Indicator| Concentration (M)| . 028| . 0962| (nm)| 440| 616| Solution Color| Yellow| Blue| Absorbance| . 116| . 243| Table 3: Quantitative Data for Bromocresol Green Volume of HCl (mL)| Volume of NaOH (mL)| pH| Absorbance HIn| AbsorbanceIn-| 14| 6| 3. 50| . 055| . 015| 9| 10| 4. 39| . 044| . 048| 7| 13| 5. 30| . 024| . 103| Figure 1: Absorbance vs. pH for Bromocresol Green Percent Error Calculation for Bromocresol Green: error *pKa of Bromocresol Green was found online Table 4: Qualitative Data for Indicator of Freedom Trial| pH| 1| 5. 50| 2| 5. 33| 3| 5. 12| Average| 5. 32| Table 5: Maximum Absorbance and for Bromocresol Green HCl w/ 3 Drops Indicator| NaOH w/ 3 DropsIndicator| Concentration (M)| . 1028| . 0962| (nm)| 505. 96| 601. 66| Solution Color| Red| Blue| Absorbance| . 703| . 945| Table 6: Quantitative Data for Bromocresol Green Volume of HCl (mL)| Volume of NaOH (mL)| pH| Absorbance HIn| AbsorbanceIn-| 18| 2| 2. 07| . 360| . 046| 14| 6| 2. 36| . 374| . 048| 10| 10| 3. 88| . 347| . 087| 10| 10| 3. 04| . 312| . 041| 9| 11| 9. 35| . 148| 1. 127| 9. 5| 10. 5| 5. 95| . 171| . 686| 9. 75| 10. 25| 5. 45| . 230| . 424| 9. 25| 10. 75| 9. 13| . 146| . 913| Figure 2: Graph of Absorbance vs. pH for Indicator of Freedom Discussion:The qualitative part of the lab had room for a lot of errors. The unreliability of visual observation of the slight color change in solution could have dramatically affected the results. Because the experimentally determined pKa was less than the actual pKa for both cases, strong enough color change were probably not observed. Since the titration was performed roughly using drops, the drops could have added more acid than needed, resulting in a smaller pKa.. Quantitatively, the pKa can be determined by plotting the data, with absorbance as a function of pH. There will be two separate lines, one for each wavelength of the two colors.The intersection of these two lines will indicate the point at which the pH should be equal to the pKa. This works because at the intersection point: pH=pKa+logIn-HIn It is known that A1A2= c1c2. Since A1= A2 at the intersection point of the graph, then 1= c1c2= In-HIn. Thus,pH=pKa+log1 pH=pKa at the intersection of both curves The procedure for determination of bromocresol green pKa appeared to have worked, because the percent error was roughly around 10%. Although slightly high, these errors are unpreventable. For example, cuvettes with smudges on the sides would have increased the absorbance readings of the solutions.Moreover, the maximum wavelength is crucial because it is used as a standard to know where to record the absorbance levels of the other solutions. This is because it is where the maximum absorbance occurs for the particular color produced by the solution is. It is important to measure the absorbance levels at these standardized wavelengths to keep the data con sistent and to have the ability to compare the absorbance levels of two solutions without the need to calibrate or adjust the readings. Finally, a limited number of data points when determining the pH graphically could have also added to the error in this experiment. Chemistry Lab The purpose of this lab was to see which solutions are soluble and which are not. We were able to see this by mixing certain solutions together and observing changes that occurred. The procedure for this experiment included a few different steps. The first steps were to add the nitrate solutions into the lettered parts of the 96-well plate.Once you were done with that, you were supposed to add the sodium solutions to the numbered parts of the 96-well plate, so that the solutions were added together. You were supposed to observe the different reactions occurring. Once you observed each reaction take place, you needed to fill out your data table. Data Table: Solubility Rules Table|Negative Ion (Anions)| Positive Ions (Cations)| Solubility ofCompounds| All negative ions are with| Alkali ions (Na)| Soluble| All negative ions are with| Hydrogen (H+)| Soluble| All negative ions are with| All positive ions| Soluble| Nitrate NO3- ions are with| All positive ions are| Soluble| Acetate CH COO- ions are 3with| All positive ions are| Soluble| Chloride, Cl-Bromide Br-Iodide I-| CuAll other positive ions| Low SolubilitySolubleSoluble| Sulfate SO 2-4| BaAll other positive ions| Low SolubilitySoluble| Sulfide S -2| All positive ions| Soluble| Hydroxide, OH-| Ba| Soluble|Phosphate PO 3-4Carbonate CO 2-3Sulfite, SO 2-3| H| Soluble| Once you recorded all of the data, there were a few questions that needed to be answered. A. Compare your results with the solubility rules and/or solubility table in your chemistry text. I would say that my results turned out pretty close to the rules in the text book. I observed many different reactions occurring. The colors of the solutions changed from clear to purple, from clear to blue and yellow, and from clear to a milky white color. There were also changes from a light yellow to a dark almost orange color. B.Do your results agree with your expectations from the solubility rules/table? My results do agree with my expectations, however, I wasnà ¢â‚¬â„¢t expecting all of the solutions to be soluble. C. Which anions generally form precipitates? What are exceptions? Silver salts, Phosphates, Sulfides, Carbonates, Hydroxides. Exceptions include alkali metals. D. Which anions generally do not form precipitates? What are the exceptions? Nitrates, Alkali metals, Ammonium salts, Halides, and Acetates. The exceptions include those mentioned above that would form precipitates. E. Which cations generally do not form precipitates?Na+ generally does not form precipitates. F. Select 10 reactions that produce a precipitate, color change, or gas and write balanced chemical equation and a net ionic equation for each. Remember, a reaction may be indicated by the formation of a precipitate, color change, or the formation of gas. Record the well numbers of the precipitates you chose for your equations. (Co(No3)2+6H2O)+(Na3PO4+12H2O)Well A1 (Cu(NO3)2+3H2O )+(Na3PO4+12H2O)Well B1 (Fe(NO3)3+9H2)+(Na3PO4+12H2O)Well C1 (Ba(NO3)2) )+(Na3PO4+12H2O)W ell D1 (Ni(NO3)2+6H2O)+(Na3PO4+12H2O)Well E1 (Co(No3)2+6H2O)+(NaHCO3)Well A5 Cu(NO3)2+3H2O)+(NaHCO3)Well B5 (Fe(NO3)3+9H2)+(NaHCO3)Well C5 (Ba(NO3)2) )+(NaHCO3)Well D5 (Ni(NO3)2+6H2O)+(NaHCO3)Well E5 To wrap things up, I found this lab to be easy but confusing at the same time. I am not sure my reactions were all correct because I thought there were supposed to be some that were insoluble, however, I observed reactions occur every time. I would suggest maybe providing better rules for the solubility table because I was a little bit confused with that at first as well. I enjoyed doing this lab, as I do every one, but there were parts of it that just confused me.

Leadership Incident Essay

Companies differ markedly in their ability to produce future leaders, as several recent analyses of the 1,187 largest publicly-traded U.S. companies revealed. Among the CEOs in one study, a remarkable total of 26 once worked at General Electric (GE). But as the table below shows, on a per-employee basis that earns GE only tenth place in terms of the likelihood of a current or former employee’s becoming CEO of a large company. Top on the list is management consulting firm McKinsey & Company. Amazingly, if we extrapolate into the future from the current stock of McKinsey alums who are CEOs, of every 690 McKinsey employees, one will become CEO of a Fortune 1000 company. Some companies did not fare nearly as well, such as Citigroup (odds: 30,180:1), AT&T (odds: 23,220:1), and Johnson & Johnson (odds: 15,275:1). While some might dismiss the results, not surprisingly, the companies at the top of the list do not. â€Å"We are a leadership engine and a talent machine,† said retiring P&G CEO A. G. Lafley. Questions 1. Management consulting firms did very well on a per-employee basis, partly because they are mostly comprised of managers (as opposed to blue-collar or entry-level workers). How big a factor do you think composition of the workforce is in likelihood of producing a CEO? 2. Do you think so-called leadership factories are also better places for non-leaders to work? Why or why not? 3. Assume you had job offers from two companies that differed only in how often they produced CEOs. Would this difference affect your decision? 4. Do these data give any credence to the value of leader selection and leader development? Why or why not? Based on D. McCarthy, â€Å"The 2008 Best Companies for Leaders,† Great Leadership (February 17, 2009), http://www.greatleadershipbydan.com/2009/; F. Hansen, â€Å"Building Better Leaders†¦Faster,† Workforce Management (June 9, 2008), pp. 25-28; D. Jones, â€Å"Some Firms’ Fertile Soil Grows Crop of Future CEOs,† USA Today (January 9, 2008), pp. 1B, 2B.

Cafes Monte Case Essay Example for Free

Cafes Monte Case Essay The company located in Milan, Italy. It was found by Mario Salvetti as a manufacturer and distributor of premium finest coffees. The company faces a hard decision that may affect their future. The company wants to know whether or not they should keep working in the same investing. An important meeting was there among the top management team’s members to discuss the future of the company. The company’s performance was good in 2000. Profit was shown at the financial statement. Giacomo Salvetti the CEO of the company needs to decide which to choose as the business strategy for the company: 1) Keep working in the premium coffee market. 2) Transfer to the private brands market. The current capacity of the coffee production in 2000 was 350,000 K/M , with added additional capacity of 150,000K/M. The cost of the additional units was 6 billion liras. More facts about the profitability and the liquidity were required beside the cash flow and the profit plan to quantify strategic alternatives and to help in making this decision. The idea of changing was not easy to the CEO to accept without a clear image of the financial consequences. The report was provided by the marketing manager showed that the premium market is very volatile. On the other hand, the private brands market is more stable. (Full capacity at the price of 8,800 liras). Price is lower in the private market than the premium. The volume is depending of the number of retailers. ( Every additional retailer need at least 500,000 K/Y). The report was provided by the manufacturing director showed that costs are different in each amount of the volume and quality of beans. These costs include the cost of beans, labor and fixed cost. The company is able to save 65% of selling costs, 75% of R&D costs and 50% of administrative costs, if they choose the private brands market.(Director of strategic planning). Private brands’ retailers will pay slowly- 90 days instead of 30 days. (Financial officer). I took the sales price as the current price 8,800 liras. Most of the expenses are decline compare to what they were in 2000 beside also the profit. Marketing expenses were no longer there because the marketing percentage became 0% in this volume of the private market. The reason of having this decline is the gross margin of the private market comparing to the margin of the premium market. Sales price and cost in private market are less than what they are in the premium market. Cash flows are not stable during the year. It looks vary from quarter to another. In the cash flows, the retailers will pay in 90days (3months) period of time as what it is in the private market. The cash opining was 50% in the first month and 25% in next 2 months. The other expenses were divided by the 12 months equally. Variable and selling costs are showing in page(5). I don’t recommend the full transition to private market. The profit will be lower than what it is even if it is less volatile. There is no reason for the company to lose its premium market if the profit is low, too. I would support the chance of mixing the premium and the private markets together, because of the profitability there. Cafes Monte Case. (2016, Apr 28).

Godin Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Godin - Essay Example A product which is out of the ordinary would grab the attention of the buyer. This has a direct correlation with the second conclusion. Being ordinary without introducing or representing anything new will bring the demise of a venture because being safe is the most damaging attribute a product can have. Godin’s conception of the definition of remarkable elucidates what retail should adopt. Remarkable means something that is worthy of remark. These are â€Å"ideas that spread† through what he calls idea diffusion. A new product should elicit remark which would compel others to talk about it. This means that the popularity of a product is no longer based on massive advertising where companies need to spend millions by availing of the conventional media such as television or radio. In this regard, Godin points out a Japanese word ‘otaku’ which refer to some kind of constituency who care about a product. These people spread the word without compensation simply because they are willing to listen and they become enthusiastic with a particular item. Choices are important to people but the presence of too many choices could render them desensitized that the best way to go is to make a conscious effort to be

Was the Falklands a vital factor in Thatcher's political survival Essay

Was the Falklands a vital factor in Thatcher's political survival - Essay Example Britain in reaction to this, established a navy task force to attack the Argentine navy and the air force. Their main aim was to put in place an amphibious operation which would assist them to win back the Islands. On June 1982 Argentina surrendered leaving the Islands under the control of the British. This brought the conflict to an end. A total number of 907 people perish during the attack; among these were 255 British and 652 Argentine most of who were soldiers, sailors, and airmen. In addition, several people got injured and three islanders also perished. The two countries had a strong case which was inconclusive. Even though the British argued that they had put the international law into consideration it was not well-founded. According to Gamba (1987) an analysis made with the involvement of the Government, the Royal Navy and Parliament It showed that several impertinent factors and pressures majorly determined the decision of the task force being sent to south Atlantic. The gov ernment survival threat due to the argentine invasion factor greatly determined how the conflict was conducted. This situation had a great impact on Thatcher survival in office hence; all the actions put in place was mainly to favour her. Despite the various achievement of the British military the Falkland’s crisis was not solved appropriately The main focus in this paper is the impact of international war participation on political leader’s survival in office. The relationship that exists between the performance in war and the fate of political leaders afterwards is of great significance. In most cases leaders who involve their nation in war are more likely to be faced with domestic political hazard which may interfere with their retention of political power. As compared to the democratic leaders, the authoritarian leaders incline to war for a longer durations when they successfully come to power. In addition, democratic leaders are involved in wars which have lower c hances of defeat than the authoritarian leaders. In this case, Margaret Thatcher is central to all the events that took place in the Falklands conflict. The British Prime Minister was criticized by the British press after she invaded the Argentine Falkland Islands. She was perceived as having been slow in reacting to the situation. This greatly affected her political fortunes. Prior to the war, it was uncertain that Thatcher and her party would be re-elected. However, a year later after she managed to repel the argentine forces successfully, Thatcher together with her party was returned to by a large majority to the parliamentary power in the general election that took place in 1983. The Falkland conflict had political impacts that were strong in the two countries. In Britain, Margaret Thatcher was under pressure from the parliament and she had to utilize this opportunity in order to ensure she survived in office. On the other hand, in Argentina Galtieri's Junta opted to invade the Falkland’s for political survival while considering the domestic situation in his country. The intention In most cases armed conflict is pursued with specific intentions which include; obtaining the just causes objects, to correct the impact of aggression and injustice, to pursue peace and reconciliation in the presence of conflicts, and to immediately bring hostilities to an end. The British government Margaret Thatcher being

Business Law and Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Business Law and Ethics - Essay Example eternal law), further bolstering its obligatory nature, then calling attention to the Roman jurists and the contemporary court pronouncements to the same effect, adding a legal dimension to the duty. All these aside, Johnston argues that the fiduciary obligation is encompassed within natural law, that is, it is within the nature of man as a free, rational and social being to render fiduciary loyalty where the situation calls for it. In the context of business, the fiduciary relationship exists between the owner of the business and the person that owner has hired to discharge the business. In modern corporate parlance, the business owner would be the shareholders, those who have invested financial resources in the business entity. The steward hired to conduct the affairs of the business is the modern business manager, or the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in large corporations. In the Biblical metaphor, therefore, the CEO is the servant who is morally charged to owe loyalty to the shar eholders. Johnston argues that one who serves in a fiduciary position cannot serve his interest first before the interest of the person/s to whom trust is owed, legally, the cestui que trust or beneficiary of the trust relationship. Corollary to this argument is that the person entrusted cannot substitute his own judgment for that of the trustor, or undertake an action that he knows jeopardizes the trustor’s best interests. The conflict therefore arises in the modern business context, where advocates of corporate social responsibility insist that business managers, particularly for large corporations, have a duty not only to shareholders but also to other stakeholders – customers, employees, suppliers, the immediate community and society in general – to likewise serve their benefit and welfare in the conduct of their business. This is seen to run counter to the fiduciary relationship because management would have to decide in favour of the benefit of other share holders, at times to the detriment of the aim to maximize shareholder gain and corporate profit. It is the equal obligation to stakeholders as to shareholders that Johnston believes is untenable in practice From a legal standpoint, I would tend to agree with Johnston. Given an either-or proposition, the fiduciary relationship would supersede the stakeholder relationship. From a practical perspective, however, it is apparent that seldom is one drawn into the choice of one side to the exclusion of the other. Most business owners are aware that keeping customers satisfied, employees engaged and motivated, suppliers operationally viable, and the community supportive, would eventually translate to business gain and growth. By serving stakeholder interests, managers may forego opportunities for short-term profits but benefit the shareholders in terms of long-run and sustainable profitability. From a utilitarian perspective, therefore, the satisfaction of stakeholder interests also serves the interests of the shareholders, and there is no conflict. It is also often forgotten that the shareholders are themselves stakeholders of the company, particularly as customers, and oftentimes also as employees, because of employees’ share options. Shareholders are also part of the community and larger society. In this sense, the

Corporate Social Responsibility and its Importance in the Retail Essay

Corporate Social Responsibility and its Importance in the Retail Sector - Essay Example As the report explores the very core purpose of any business, besides sustenance and profitability, happens to create and keep adding value for the customers. A retail chain in particular needs to take into account the changing needs and requirements of the customers, depending upon the changing environment, food habits, time management, availability of alternates in the market, increasing awareness about environmentally friendly goods and services etc. This way they can earn the loyalty of the customer while successfully attracting more customers. Customer’s reaction to the product/ services is largely based on the customer’s feelings, which are subjective in nature. This discussion declares that Retail Business requires managing a broad range of retail skills in the areas of customer sales and service, promotion & advertising, store layout, visual merchandising, economics & accounting, marketing, buying from suppliers, inventory control, and human resource management. As the marketing and industrial activities are growing around the world, imbalance in many forms is on an increase, which is threatening the very existence of the social fabric that we live in. In order to protect the social fabric, the nature and the interests of human beings, companies, organizations and individuals are supposed to take care of their social responsibilities in different measure. Companies in retail sector being in direct touch with the customers and the society often find it obligatory on their part to take care of the social needs as well.... Retail Business requires managing a broad range of retail skills in the areas of customer sales and service, promotion & advertising, store layout, visual merchandising, economics & accounting, marketing, buying from suppliers, inventory control, and human resource management. As the marketing and industrial activities are growing around the world, imbalance in many forms is on an increase, which is threatening the very existence of the social fabric that we live in. In order to protect the social fabric, the nature and the interests of human beings, companies, organizations and individuals are supposed to take care of their social responsibilities in different measure. Companies in retail sector being in direct touch with the customers and the society often find it obligatory on their part to take care of the social needs as well. Though it is not obligatory on an organization that it should come forward to help out the society, but in order to reach out to the customers, earn the g oodwill of existing as well as prospective customers, and to be seen as an organization indulging in ethical business practices, companies do come forward to help the society and fulfil their corporate social responsibilities. Research Questions and Objectives This study is primarily being undertaken to study the corporate social responsibility aspect in general and the manner in which retail sector is fulfilling its social responsibilities. During the study an effort would be made to study some of the reputed retail sector companies like Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Primark, Wal-Mart etc. While broadly analysing their business proposition and market share an effort would be made to sift through the corporate responsibility statements and activities being taken