Selfless service is among human virtues that play a significant role in shaping a better society and the world at large. It can also be referred to as dedication to others or service to humanity (Ochnik, 2019). Its philosophy revolves around the idea that an individual can offer services without expecting something in return for the benefit of others or society. Among renowned people who have expressed selflessness for a better world are Mother Teresa, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, and Nelson Mandela (Ochnik, 2019). While selfless service is more likely to be found in military and medical fields, it is also evident in the business world.
Business ventures have shown that they can become catalysts for social change through selfless service. Although the main objective of every firm is to optimize their profits, some business enterprises are created to improve the psychological, physical, financial, and social wellbeing of diverse individuals, environments, and communities (Ochnik, 2019). For instance, most social ventures have helped society in addressing such issues as drug addiction, poverty, and homelessness through corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives (Ochnik, 2019). In an organizational context, CSR highlights a firm’s dedication to the community that lives around its proximity. CSR programs such as relief food and free medical supplies have been proven to extend help to deserving individuals such as the poor, the elderly, the disabled, and orphans (Ochnik, 2019). Thus, selfless entrepreneurs are instrumental drivers of positive social change.
Social ventures have also expressed selflessness through social entrepreneurship. This form of business is characterized by individuals who start, spearhead and manage enterprises that pursue a social objective on their own risk and account (Ochnik, 2019). Such people are driven by the desire to expand their efforts out of concern for humanity and to benefit society. Bangladesh’s Grameen Bank acts as a conspicuous example of social entrepreneurship (Ochnik, 2019). While most banks are built on a purely profit-oriented business model, Grameen Bank was established to offer unsecured microcredits for start-ups. Specifically, these financial incentives are meant for the poorest rural people, especially women, who are ineligible for loans from conventional banks due to lack of security (Ochnik, 2019). Grameen’s underpinning objective is that affordable loans can fight poverty while also enhancing education and health outcomes. Research suggests that microcredits are connected to poverty reduction and education, nutrition, and female empowerment (Ochnik, 2019). Social entrepreneurship can be instrumental in alleviating destitution through selfless service.
Some sole proprietors combine selflessness and their self-interests to offer positive contributions to society. Such individuals are inspired by personal experiences of trauma and pain (Ochnik, 2019). They help in addressing significant social problems in deprived areas and institutional voids not only for others’ benefits but also for theirs’ (Ochnik, 2019). For instance, in the United Kingdom, such sole proprietors highly likely to be concentrated in the country’s most disadvantaged areas compared to traditional commercial small-scale businesses (Ochnik, 2019). Typically, these people engage in business to pursue individual passions for a better community such as improving the quality of services, environmental protection, social justice, and equality (Ochnik, 2019). Thus, selfless entrepreneurs represent a perfect example of dedication to others for a fair and better society.
In summary, selfless service can also be found in the business sector. Business ventures have shown that they can become catalysts for social change through CSR initiatives. Moreover, Social ventures such as Grameen Bank have also expressed selflessness through social entrepreneurship. In addition, some sole proprietors have shown that individuals can combine selflessness and their self-interests to offer positive contributions to society.
Reference
Ochnik, D. (Ed.). (2019). Selflessness in business (1st ed.). Vernon Press.