In the discussion about Merck (Strategy Highlight 1.2) it is clear the firm has followed a socially responsible path by donating more than 1 billion drug treatments to remedy river blindness in remote

STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT

In the discussion about Merck (Strategy Highlight 1.2) it is clear the firm has followed a socially responsible path by donating more than 1 billion drug treatments to remedy river blindness in remote African communities. Yet Merck must also meet shareholder responsibilities and make profits on drugs in use in more affluent societies. How should a responsible firm make these trade-offs? What steps can strategic leaders take to guide organizations on these challenging issues?