Apple not solely focused on Shareholder value

Business Insider reports on a recent Apple shareholder meeting, during which a representative from a decidedly far right thinktank asked Tim Cook "to commit on the spot to only making moves that were profitable for the company," to which Cook replied

"When we work on making our devices accessible by the blind, I don't consider the bloody ROI." He said that the same thing [applies] about environmental issues, worker safety, and other areas where Apple is a leader.

This is an interesting comment on the role of corporate social responsibility in shaping how CEOs talk about their management practices. One area where Apple is a leader is in its tax dodging capacity, though perhaps its leadership in this respect is less well known than that associated with its contract manufacturing practices. If those activities are not ROI-focused, it is difficult to know why they form such an integral part of Apple's global business strategy. I continue to look for signs that the aggressive tax planning is becoming anathema to Apple's polished CSR image, but none have yet emerged.