Ethical Issues In Coca Cola

Challenges in the last 10 years have been a direct result of the decline in sugary beverages. Thus, the sales of carbonated drinks has declined for the last 10 years and the industry has struggled as consumers began to make healthier choices (DeCarlo, 2016). Moreover, consumers reduced their soda consumption and leaned more towards juices, waters, and other options such as protein drinks (DeCarlo, 2016).

Other challenges has been Coca-Cola’s footprint worldwide. Notably, in 2005, Coca-Cola was selling and operating in 16 countries from Bahrain to Zimbabwe (DeCarlo, 2016). However, by 2015, Coke had closed operations in six countries, but had gained operations in nine other countries (DeCarlo, 2016).

Equally, when leadership was asked to identify the greatest challenges in the market, they replied:

Implementing

Unfortunately, all corporations face issues at the corporate level and Coca-Cola is no different. In fact, Ukrainian prosecutors have launched a criminal investigation into the online publication by Coca-Cola of a map that showed Crimea as a part of Russia (Polityuk, 2016). In 2014, Russia annexed the peninsula from Ukraine, which lead to the imposition of economic sanctions on Russia (Ukraine, 2016). Unbeknowst to Coca-Cola, the map was changed by their advertising company without their approval (Polityuk, 2016).

Next, the Coca-Cola Company has been in negotiations with the Chicago Teamsters local 727. Luckily, an agreement was made on a fair three-year contract for 319 production and warehouse workers (Petty, 2015). Notably, this agreement will transfer Local 727 members into a new health and welfare plan previously available to Coca-Cola management. Additionally, employees will receive annual wage increases and employer-matched 401(K) retirement benefit contributions under the terms of the agreement, which will be retroactive to May 1, 2015 (Petty,