Final answer:
Society values corporate behavior that aligns with ethical and moral obligations, reflecting societal expectations such as product safety and environmental protection. Corporate social responsibility has become central in the corporate world, with codes of ethics guiding ethical practices, especially concerning emerging technologies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question revolves around what society deems as important with respect to appropriate corporate behavior. Across various industries, organizations establish codes of ethics to guide their members in upholding societal values. These guidelines are not only about legality but also about the moral and ethical obligations that reflect societal expectations, such as the safety of products, privacy, and environmental preservation.
Within the corporate world, especially in the United States, corporate social responsibility has become a pivotal focus. This encompasses assessing and taking responsibility for a company's effects on social, economic, and environmental well-being. The interplay between legal rights and moral responsibilities is crucial as corporations navigate their roles in relation to shareholders, employees, customers, and the broader community.
Emerging technologies present new challenges in establishing ethical practices. The IEEE-CS's Software Engineering Code of Ethics for software engineers exemplifies an industry-specific code that requires adherence to ethical principles, safeguarding quality of life, privacy, and environmental health. Such codes are aligned with broader normative moral theories and the political dialogue surrounding corporate responsibility.