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“The primary responsibility of a business is to maximize profits for its shareholders. Therefore, businesses should not be expected to devote resources to social or environmental causes unless doing so directly benefits the company financially.”

范文：

Introduction
The assertion that businesses should prioritize shareholder profits over social or environmental initiatives is a narrow perspective that overlooks long-term sustainability. While financial performance is undeniably crucial, modern enterprises operate in a complex ecosystem where ethical responsibility and profitability are increasingly interdependent. This essay argues that businesses must balance profit motives with societal contributions, as ignoring the latter can undermine brand reputation, customer loyalty, and even regulatory compliance—factors that ultimately affect financial outcomes.

Body Paragraph 1: Reputation and Consumer Trust
A company’s reputation is one of its most valuable assets. Consumers today prefer brands that demonstrate ethical practices, such as fair labor policies or environmental stewardship. For instance, Patagonia’s commitment to sustainability has cultivated a loyal customer base willing to pay premium prices for its products. Conversely, corporations like Volkswagen suffered severe financial and reputational damage after the emissions scandal, proving that unethical behavior can erode trust and profitability. Thus, investing in social causes is not merely altruistic; it aligns with long-term profit goals.

Body Paragraph 2: Regulatory and Operational Risks
Governments worldwide are imposing stricter regulations on corporate social responsibility (CSR). Companies ignoring these trends risk penalties or operational disruptions. For example, energy firms failing to adopt cleaner technologies face escalating carbon taxes, while tech companies neglecting data privacy laws incur hefty fines. Proactively addressing such issues reduces legal risks and positions the business as an industry leader. In this context, CSR expenditures are preemptive measures to safeguard profitability.

Body Paragraph 3: Employee Engagement and Innovation
Employees increasingly seek purpose-driven workplaces. A Deloitte survey revealed that 73% of millennials prefer employers with strong CSR commitments. Firms like Google and Salesforce allocate resources to social causes, resulting in higher employee satisfaction and retention. Engaged teams are more innovative and productive—directly boosting financial performance. Hence, social investments can enhance human capital, a critical driver of competitive advantage.

Counterargument and Rebuttal
Critics may argue that CSR diverts funds from core operations. However, studies by Harvard Business Review show that socially responsible companies often outperform peers in stock market returns. For example, Unilever’s “Sustainable Living” brands grew 50% faster than others in its portfolio. This data refutes the notion that profit and social responsibility are mutually exclusive.

Conclusion
The dichotomy between profit maximization and social responsibility is a false one. Businesses thrive when they integrate ethical practices into their strategies, as these efforts strengthen reputation, mitigate risks, and foster innovation. Shareholders benefit most when companies recognize that financial success is inextricably linked to their broader impact on society.

写作技巧分析：

1. 逻辑结构

   • 采用经典五段式：引言、三个主体段（论点+例证）、反驳段、
   • 每段以主题句开头，确保论点明确；例证选取跨行业案例（如Patagonia、Volkswagen），增强说服力。

2. 语言风格

   • 避免绝对化表述，使用“increasingly interdependent”“can undermine”等短语体现客观性。
   • 数据引用（如Deloitte调查、HBR研究）提升权威性，符合E-A-T原则。

3. 高分要素

   • 批判性思维：反驳段承认对立观点，但用实证驳斥。
   • 词汇多样性：替换重复词（如“profitability”改用“financial outcomes”“competitive advantage”）。

个人观点
GMAT AWA的高分关键在于展示深度分析能力，而非单纯语言华丽，考生应练习拆解复杂论点，用具体案例和数据支撑观点，同时保持行文简洁，这篇范文的框架与逻辑值得借鉴,但需根据题目灵活调整论证重心。