EST1: 310.2.1-05: Ethical Issues in Business I am responding to the statement concerning Company Q and your current attitude towards social responsibility. In my opinion, it seems your company has unfortunately shown an overall negative attitude towards its social responsibility and I would like to provide feedback on areas where you can improve. Company Q is known as a small local grocery store chain. Recently, due to financial losses, you chose to close two stores which were stated to be in higher crime rate areas. It is also stated that after many years of requesting health conscience items you are just starting to offer a limited amount of these products, which are known as high margin items.
A final area that we will look into is that of a decision made by company Q to dispose of old and expired food products, instead of agreeing to a request of local food banks to donate the items. The reason company Q made this decision, according to their spokesman, was that there was “a concern of lost revenues due to possible fraud, or theft of food by employees and claiming donation.” This is a poor excuse by a company with the resources to enable proper oversight of the donation process. So what can be done? Company Q has 3 examples where a lack of vision and
The ethical and social implications in the decision revolve around the fact that Whirlpool did not consider the best interests of all it's stakeholders. The effect on the local community and vendors in Evansville stretches far beyond the effects of just the plant workers losing their jobs. So while the company may have met its economic responsibilities in it's attempt to maximize profits and meet consumer price expectations, it fell short on its ethical responsibilities. 2. Whirlpool has many legal and ethical responsibilities in the plant-closing example.
Competency 310.2.1 Ethical Issues In Business EVALUATION From the information given, it seems that company Q has a negative attitude towards social responsibility. Company Q has begun to listen to the needs of its customers, and is attempting to address those needs by supplying the desired products. However, it seems that company Q is selective in which customer’s needs it will address. By closing two stores in high crime rate, or in other words, lower income areas, they have sent the message that they appeal only to a more affluent crowd. Also, company Q’s only concession to changing policies is to begin carrying high margin, or high cost, products at all of its stores.
[pic] Principles for Responsible Business INTRODUCTION The Caux Round Table (CRT) Principles for Responsible Business set forth ethical norms for acceptable businesses behaviour. Trust and confidence sustain free markets and ethical business practices provide the basis for such trust and confidence. But lapses in business integrity, whether among the few or the many, compromise such trust and hence the ability of business to serve humanity’s needs. Events like the 2009 global financial crisis have highlighted the necessity of sound ethical practices across the business world. Such failures of governance and ethics cannot be tolerated as they seriously tarnish the positive contributions of responsible business to higher standards of living and the empowerment of individuals around the world.
TASKSTREAM 310.2.1 – Ethical Issues in Business At a time when many small, local, independently owned stores are being overtaken and overwhelmed by much larger retail entities, some of these smaller retail providers are striking back at the behemoths by increasing their social responsibility footprint, and participating in the revitalization of their communities. However, in Company Q’s case, their commitment to corporate citizenship could use a little help. After closing stores in less-than-desirable neighborhoods due to lost revenues, responding slowly to repeated customer requests for popular items, and finally refusing to participate with their community food banks due to concerns that employees might steal donations before they could be delivered, Company Q needs to take a closer look at their attitude towards social responsibility. Social responsibility can be divided into four interrelated areas, with each part providing a foundation for the ones that follow. At the base is economic responsibility, with its focus on providing wealth and value for stakeholders.
Recommendations Ben & Jerry’s takeover by Unilever resulted in changes to the business strategy; changes that were needed to address an increasingly competitive economic landscape and recover the market value of the firm. In some cases the new strategy was not aligned with the core values that underlie Ben & Jerry’s strong culture, i.e. the decision to terminate large numbers of employees in order to create operating efficiency in finance, manufacturing, and distribution. However, the alignment of many of the core values on which Ben & Jerry’s culture is based is unclear. The two companies appear to share values related to corporate social responsibility, but employees question whether Ben & Jerry’s previous commitments on issues like product purity and providing a public voice on social issues fit into the new business strategy.
So he created the Shared Savings Program having nine primary features. Briefly to say, “ Do not give them more money on a silver platter and they have to have a vested interest.” Luckily, Donato, city manager, regarded the Shared Saving Program as an effective way to survive financially and do the kinds of things socially and physically for our community. At the same time, Donato mitigated the risk that the program might be seen as giveaway of public funds to response the argument about the program. Obviously, the implement is difficult because many employees did not trust Soderbery’s management. Moreover, there existed the tension between Shared Savings members and
The Ford Pinto Case: Kantianism In the business world there is one goal, to make profit. The people in charge of the businesses try and create the most revenue for their stakeholders as well as themselves. However, if a company’s one and only goal is to make money, ethical problems are due to arise. Many times, what is best to make money is not what is best for the general public. Should people’s well-being and safety be compromised in order to benefit the people who have a stake in the company?
They could do this by enforcing disciplinary action to those who do not follow their company policies and Code of Conduct so the employees that are following company polices have a sense of pride in their work and appreciation. Also creating activities in the community for employees to participate in can help with community outreach and boost employee morale. By listening to the complaints the employees have and taking their thoughts into consideration to improve working environments employees will also feel a sense of pride in their job. In conclusion, Company Q has shown little to no social responsibility due to the fact they are willing to close their stores and not consider improving their business practices instead. There are three things that Company Q can improve in order to keep their customers and employees and keep their doors open, customer satisfaction, community outreach and employee trust.