Which one of the following statements is correct?

Select one:

A$.$ Organizations that focus on short$-$term profits and that fail to adhere to high ethical standards often do so at the expense of their long$-$term success.

B$.$ Organizations with high ethical standards and those without high ethical standards are equally susceptible to allegations of negligence that could lead to tort actions.

C$.$ Maintaining high ethical standards cannot directly result in an increase in an organization$$s overall profitability.

D$.$ Consumers are more concerned with short$-$term relationships than about authentic relationships with companies that have high ethical standards.