Introduction: Business ethics are the core fundamentals of a business and are extremely important for organizations smooth and successful operation. It can have either positive impact by operating ethically or negative impact if they are caught up in any unethical situation or dilemma. Ethics has been defined as “study and philosophy of human conduct with an emphasis in determining the right and wrong” (Ferrell et.al, 2010). This case study will analyze Coca Cola for the ethical dilemmas they were involved in Belgium, and how the company responded to the issues. Ethical Dilemma: The major ethical issue face by Coca Cola in recent year was concerning sale of hazardous product which affected the health of few consumers including school children. This incident took place in Belgium where Coca Cola beverages found themselves in middle of an accusation of selling poorly processed batch of carbonated drinks which made initially 10 people ill and later the number swelled to 100 which also included school children. This was a contamination scare incident that took place in June 1999. This damaged Coca Cola customer base harming their confidence in the product as it was relating to the production and sale of hazardous product. Two main problems that were identified by the company relating to their production and distribution were ‘‘Off-quality’’ carbon dioxide that affected the taste and odor of some bottled drinks, and an offensive unusual odor on the outside of some canned drinks which were later identified as sulphur odor. This odor has an increasing intensity when the cans were placed in vending machines to sell. This incident really took a troll on the companies brand image their customer’s confidence in the brand and the companies’ ... ... middle of paper ... ...Stakeholders • Director of Public Health for Coca Cola • Head of Health Intelligence and Information • Public Health Strategists • Public Health Management Analyst • Director of Programs and Services • Research Scientist • Communications • Board committee members • Local Authority/council • Patients • Service users • Customers • Suppliers • Funders • Quality assessors • Special interest groups • Wider public health workforce • Media This Coca Cola malfunction incident demonstrates that if attention is not paid to the ethical operation or the company it could challenge and threaten a company’s short and long term performance. This could have long lasting affects on the companies operations and requires strategic decisions to restore company’s image in the eyes of the customers. Gaining the trust of customers takes long time but it is broken with one small incident.
Ferrell, O. C., Fraedrich, J., & Ferrell, L. (2011). Business ethics: Ethical decision making and cases: 2011 custom edition (8th ed.). Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning.
Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making & Case Studies. Cengage Textbook. The “Mission & Vision”. DecisionOne Corporation. Web.
Ferrell, O., Fraedrich, J. and Ferrell, L. (2011). Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making and Cases. 1st ed. Mason, Ohio: Cengage Learning, p.327 -336.
Materialistic things consume today’s society, whether it is cars, clothing, or jewelry, in a sense we rely on these objects for our happiness. Companies such as Nike, Gap, and Toms, have all had major success do to their loyal customers, who seek the name brand logo of their company. These companies have continued to grow tremendously, making billions of dollars; the companies strive to find ways to outsourcing its manufacturing, in hopes of making more and more profit. Profit is not the only thing that rises, many questions and investigations have occurred, exposing the poor ethical choices these businesses have made. Nike, one of the most well- known and profitable companies have experienced this heavy scrutiny first hand. Throughout this essay the reader will gain a better understanding of Nike’s poor ethical business decisions and what actions they took in order to repair their image.
In today’s global society, a Code of Ethics policy is used to label established, acceptable behaviors among that industry’s business associates, potential investors, and the corporation’s executive officers and employees, and most important, the consumer (Ethics Resource Center, 2003). In an attempt to promote an increased efficiency and productivity potential level, among employees and prospective clients, a corporation’s standard Code of Ethics should guide its members toward a more in-depth examination of their personal moral activity, and how these actions affect the people or acquaintances they encounter. A company should utilize this strategy as a model for the professional behaviors and responsibilities of its constituents, and proves the occupational advancement of that business. Ethics are important in every level of a corporation, but specifically in the day-to-day actions of its members, and the image the company broadcasts to its associates is fundamental in building a stable business foundation. These pledges are a vital communication tool used to covey the firm’s standards for business operations, and predominantly, its relationships with the surrounding communities (Ethics Resource Center, 2003).
Business ethics simply can be defined as the application of business values in the business practice of a company (Seawell 2010, p. 2). For a multinational company, business ethics is one of the critical aspects need to be taken into account in business decision-making processes. Failure to give attention on ethics may bring consequences on company’s reputation (Meyer & Jebe 2010, p. 159). The company is expected not only to pursue its own profits but also contributing to the environmental and social welfare of the community where it operates (Svensson & Wood 2008, p. 308).
Ferrell, O. C., Fraedrich, J., & Ferrell, L. (2013). Business ethics: Ethical decision making and cases: 2011 custom edition (9th ed.). Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning.
Every thriving company must embrace some sort of code of ethics ground rules which will guarantee its success. In this case, Starbucks wants to promote high standards of practice; by selling the richest and aromatic coffees in the world to the ...
Jeseph University, S. S. (2006). Evidence of The Coca Cola Company’s Human Rights Abuses and Environmental Violations brought to. Saint Joseph’s University Students for Workers’ Rights, 1, 1-78. Retrieved April 22, 2014, from Evidence of The Coca Cola Company’s Human Rights Abuses and Environmental Violations brought to
The Code of Ethics of the professional accounting bodies in Australia and its fundamental principles.
Considering individuals are becoming more health conscious it would be beneficial for Coca Cola to continue producing even more healthy products. Producing healthier drinks could potentially get their products back in schools. Researching into cheaper materials as well as environmentally friendly alternatives to plastic would be another recommendation. The main concern for Coca Cola is water supply. Without water Coca Cola would not be able to stay in business. It is recommended for Coca Cola to reduce the amount of water it uses. They have already begun a goal to improve water use. “Our 2020 goal is aggressive and builds on the 21.4% water efficiency improvement we’ve made since 2004. We expect to increasingly assess not just the quantity of the water used to grow our product ingredients, but the impact of that use as well” (Improving,
Holistic marketing also incorporates social responsibility marketing and understanding broader concerns and the ethical, environmental, legal, and social context of marketing activities and programs. The business will tend to adopt ethical behavior in its marketing strategy and will ensure that proper and true information will be provided to the concerned parties(Homburg, Stierl & Bornemann 2013).
Coca - Cola : Claims, Values and Polices Coca-Cola is a well-known and cherished brand name. When people think of this name, memories tend to overflow in their heads. Why do you need to be a member? Because, not only does Coke taste great and refresh your own personal memories, it also fills you with memories of the Coca-Cola like "Always Coca-Cola", the antics of the Coke polar bears, and all of the different ads that have represented Coke over the years. Just about every ad you see, as a consumer, has tons of hidden meanings.
In the business world there are many fundamental aspects and situations that can lead to several issues. In order to find an optimal and professional solution, business decision makers need to apply moral and ethical standards. And it is at that moment in which business ethics perform its role. Business ethics, which is in charge of examine how companies and individuals should act in business situations, is very essential in order to reach a common agreement and to work within the laws of business and solve an arisen dilemma. Working of the hand of ethical business companies, employees, investors, directors, and even individual officers can be beneficiated and obtain most favorable outcomes.
Ferrell, O. C., Fraedrich, J., & Ferrell, L. (2011). Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making and Cases. Mason, Ohio: South-Western Cengage Learning.