Final answer:
Market forces can push businesses towards less discriminatory practices by affecting their customer base, workforce, and reputation, which are all essential for long-term profitability and legal compliance.
Step-by-step explanation:
How Market Forces Can Reduce Business Discrimination
In several instances, market forces can play a pivotal role in encouraging businesses to act in a less discriminatory manner. For instance:
- Inclusive Customer Base: A local flower delivery business noticing that many of its local customers are black may reconsider its owner's bigoted attitudes to maintain and grow its customer base and reputation.
- Labor Market Competition: An assembly line struggling to hire sufficiently qualified workers may begin hiring women, recognizing that excluding half the potential workforce is not sustainable when there is a labor shortage.
- Legal and Social Consequences: The owner of a home health care service wishing to pay Hispanic workers less could face legal repercussions and social backlash, which would affect the company's reputation and profitability, incentivizing fair wage practices.
In these situations, businesses may find that discriminatory practices are not only unethical but also economically disadvantageous in the long run.