Question

Explain social responsibilities of commercial organisation towards consumers.

Give any four types of social responsibilities towards consumers.

Answer 1

The following are some of the social responsibilities of consumers.

1. Good Quality Products:
   The organization should produce quality goods. Every organization should have its quality control department so inferior and substandard products can be rejected. International Standard Organization (ISO), is the latest trend towards quality control. This ensures customers about quality products.
2. Fair Prices:
   The consumers should not be cheated by charging high prices. It is not possible to fool the customer at all the time. Fair price converts a one-time consumer into a permanent consumer. Maximum Retail Price (M.R.P.) inclusive of all taxes should be printed on every packet. The retailer should not charge any extra amount.
3. Customer's Safety:
   The business must ensure that the product supplied will not adversely affect the life and health of the customers. Unsafe products should not be marketed. Consumers should be warned of any unsafe goods.
4. Honest Advertising:
   The consumers want to know the facts, features, advantages, side-effects, etc. of the products.
   The advertisement conveys this information. So the organization must be sure that the advertisement is not being misleading. False, misleading, and vulgar advertisements should be avoided. Consumers will appreciate only honest advertisements in the long run.
5. After Sales Service:
   The organization is expected to provide after sales service for maintenance of goods during the period of warranty. Efficient and effective after sale service helps to establish good relation between the consumers and the organisation.
6. Research and Development:
   Organization should conduct research and development to improve the quality of goods and to reduce the cost of production. This will minimize final prices charged to consumers. It must provide quality standards such as BIS or AGMARK on respective products.
   
7. Regular Supply:
   Consumers should be supplied with the goods regularly as and when required by them. The commercial organization should not create artificial shortage of goods by hoarding and black marketing.