...Environment of Business Task Type: Individual Project Deliverable Length: 850–1,100 words There are many examples of how the actions of a company have negatively affected consumers. Product recalls, bans, and warning labels have helped to protect consumers and companies are focusing more today on social responsibility. Examine why has there been such a relatively high number of these incidences and what companies can do to protect consumers. Assignment Guidelines: * What legal and ethical responsibilities do companies have to their customers? * Cite and discuss in detail two cases in which a company endangered customers because of the manufacture or design of their products. How did the company address the issue? * What consequences did the companies in the cited cases face and were these consequences warranted? Why or why not? Compose your findings in a Word document (850–1,100 words), and be sure to cite your sources. Abstract There has been an increase in the number of product recalls, bans, and warning labels in recent years, which could be attributed to increased consumer awareness or better product testing. Consumers expect businesses to operate in both an ethical and legal manner. Businesses that are found to be operating outside of legal parameters will be subject to fines and other penalties enforceable under the Consumer Product Safety Act. W3 Individual Project In recent years, there has been an increase in product recalls, bans...
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...growing demand for organic foods & beverages by consumers across the country. The company started relatively small with the founders personally squeezing, packaging and transporting these juices to local restaurants that existed in their community. However the company experienced rapid growth in the early 90’s and by 1995 it has increased its product line and expanded operations well beyond the local market. Odwalla was able to captivate consumers through the creativity of the company’s founders who were also very passionate about social responsibility and the need to ensure the health and wellbeing of the community. This philosophy was also reflected in the company’s core values and company vision which read “Odwalla, a breath of fresh intoxicating rhythm, living flavor, soil to soul, people to planet, nourishing the body whole.” The company’s core values also touted a philosophy or honesty, integrity, personal responsibility and environmental awareness, just to name a few. In an attempt to effectively meet the needs of its customer base, the company leadership employed a business model that was focused on selling strictly organic products which contained very little or no preservatives. They also bypassed the pasteurization process and instead used an acid rinsing method in order to kill bacteria. This was mainly done in order to preserve taste and maintain the integrity of their products in the eyes of their customers as being non-processed & 100% organic. However...
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...1. Examine Apple’s current position on the company’s ethical and social responsibilities, and determine whether or not the company has met these responsibilities. Provide two (2) examples that support your position. Answer: Apple has accepted there ethical and social and ethical responsibility as it relates to health and safety standards. They have implemented health and safety standards that they expect their manufactures to follow. Their health and safety reforms include short work weeks, a training course on safe manufacturing practices as well as informing workers of their rights (Apple Health and Safety). Apple publically displays this initiative on their website in order to inform the public of their social and ethical competency. As I was reading though the reforms that Apple has implemented I did see room for improvement although there initiates do meet basic responsibilities. The section that explains a maximum 60 hour work week could be improved. This section could include a clause stating that every hour past 40 hours the employees are paid over time and then after 50 hours they are then paid double over time. This might encourage Apple’s suppliers to stray away from the higher end of the maximum work week limit. Apple is has worked to encourage opportunities for their workers to advance themselves. The company offers educational opportunities including free college courses, classes in language skills as well as classes in computer skills. Employees are also...
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... This weeks assignment will center on the two major product and service issues are quality and safety. We will also be covering three ethical theories apply to the issue of quality: contractual theory, due care theory, and the social costs view. Product safety is also an important legal and ethical issue. The Consumer Product Safety Commission and the FDA both have jurisdiction over these issues (Carroll & Buchholtz, 2012). The above individual work will include answers to discussion questions 1, 2, 3, and 4 on page 420 and on page 445-446 responses to discussion questions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Question 1 In addition to the basic consumer rights expressed by consumer’s Magna Carta, what other expectation do you think consumer stakeholder has of business? In addition to the right to safety, the right to be informed, the right to choose and the right to be heard as the “basic consumer rights expressed by the Consumer’s Magna Carta consumers today definitely for example - want “fair value” for money spent, a product that will meet “reasonable” expectations, a product or service with full disclosure of its specifications and a product or that has been truthfully advertised (Carroll & Buchholtz 2012). Question 2 What is your opinion of the consumerism movement? Is it”alive andwell” or is it dead” Provide evidence for your observations. Because consumers needed more than the consumers rights in the consumers Magna Carta the consumerism movement I think is a great...
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...unit order set to ship out this week to schools in South America. It has been estimated that the cost to reproduce the product and repack the product will be close to $100,000. After studying the situation and the facts, I have come up with three possible solutions to the issue at hand. The first possible solution is to ship this batch of products out as is to our South American clients. While the lead content of the products doesn't meet the acceptable levels for U.S. children, the products destination has different quality standards which the product does meet. We can also reduce costs and limit our liability by labeling the package as “Not Intended for Children under 7 Years of Age.” While a cost effective option, one major issue with this approach is that the company will still maintain a certain level of liability should the product sicken a child who comes into contact with the whistle portion of the toy. Because we are a U.S. based company, it is possible charges could be filed against the company in the U.S. by our South American clients. This would mean that we would be held to U.S. EPA product safety standards. Legal action against the company could cost us hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees, fines and settlements. In addition to this, it also raises ethical questions about our company’s standards and concert about our client’s safety both inside and outside the U.S. Another option...
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...United States of America. Yarn was exported to the Far East. In 1981, Cherry International began to produce poly cottons and poly viscose for the local market. From 1983-1991, it catered to the domestic market only, because of heavy import duties on fiber. In 1994, synthetic and blended fabrics were exported. Cherry International believes that business relationships are built on the basis of trust and partnership. This is the maxim for their creative dialogues with clients, business friends and employees. Satisfied clients are our top priority. It is their objective to develop and apply new technologies in order that their clients have a competitive edge. Their client support services and product quality are a result of this strategy. Cherry International, provides following services to their valuable Clients, • Spinning • Knitting • Dyeing & Printing of Woven and Knitted Fabrics • Designing • Stitching Company’s Code of Ethics Cherry International believes that honesty, integrity and fairness are all aspects of business and expects the same from all those with whom they do business....
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...thirty years. It has differentiated itself through its high quality product mix and positioned itself as health and Nutrition Company while targeting the health conscious people throughout the world. Nestle started its operations in Pakistan back in1988, by acquiring a diary company MILKPAK LTD, when people of Pakistan actually needed it. Since Pakistan is the fifth world’s largest milk producing country therefore Nestle deals mainly in dairy products. Moreover it also sells juices, chocolates, prepared food like noodles, baby food, infant formula milk and breakfast cereals in Pakistan. Nestle is a low cost leader with its efficient operations hence it provides its customers with high quality products and sells them at a premium price. Therefore it is earning good profits. Nestle has set its manufacturing plants at in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Kabirwala. The milk processing plant at Kabirwala district is the Nestlé’s world largest milk processing plant. When nestle introduced its products in Pakistan people were neither aware nor accustomed to them. Therefore nestle ran an extensive marketing campaign to educate people and create a need for its products. Pakistan is a land where fresh eatables are readily available. Nestle should sell the same quality of products in Pakistan as it sells abroad. It should also introduce more brands in Pakistani market which it offers in other markets of the world since consumers in Pakistan are becoming more demanding day by day. ...
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...La Senza Corporation is a Canadian fashion retailer based in Dorval, Quebec, Canada, selling lingerie and intimate apparel. Their primary objective is to maintain the quality of their products and identify what their customer needs in order to maintain their competitive advantage. Their goal is high integrity and ethical performance and establishing a positive relationship in the communities in which they are located. La Senza was bought by Limited Brands an American company in 2006. Currently all of its lingerie products are imported through MAST (a Limited Brands ‘network of suppliers located primarily outside of Canada). Since the buyout, it has experienced decreasing sales in Canada and now has fewer than half its original stores count. The challenge for La Senza is to be a good corporate citizen by maintaining and creating positive social relationship, as well as ethical practices, while still achieving their economic and financial responsibilities to their shareholders. Since the change of ownership, La Senza’s annual sales have dropped for more than a year since 2008. In 20013, La Senza made $72.8 million in the first quarter down $ 3.5 million from 2012 and a failing stock value from $52.12 per share to a stock value is currently at $49.79 per share. In 2010 it closed the Canadian La Senza Girl stores due to poor productivity. At the beginning of 2013 La Senza had 158 stores operating in Canada but as today they have 157 stores and it is on the verge of closing another...
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...The Ethical, Social Responsibility, and Marketing Strategy of Apple Corporation Tyesha Martin Strayer University The Ethical, Social Responsibility, and Marketing Strategy of Apple Corporation Our generation today has become to be known as the “Generation of Technology”, where smartphones and laptops are a necessity instead of a luxury. It is almost inevitable to interact with a group of individuals and at least one of them, not own an Apple product. Apple Inc. is an American-based multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, and markets consumer software and electronics, personal computers, as well as other communication-related services. Since launching the iPod mp3 player in 2001, the company has experienced tremendous growth. Presently, it is reputed as one of the most successful and biggest electronics manufacturer in the world. In addition, Apple Inc. is famous for its revolutionary marketing strategies, which have helped it to compete favorably against market rivals like South Korea’s Samsung Electronics, LG, IBM, and Microsoft. Despite the company’s financial success, however, it has faced criticism over its failure to enforce its ethical values and social responsibility policies, especially over its suppliers, who are accused of violating environmental regulations and workers’ rights. This paper critically examines Apple Inc.’s success and failures with regards to the enforcement its ethical...
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...MANAGING CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY IN WIDER BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT NAME ID INTERNATIONAL COLLEGE OF BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY LTD Edexcel BTEC Level 7 Professional Diploma in Strategic Management & Leadership Managing Corporate Responsibility in Wider Business Environment Table of Contents INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................... 2 Page | 1 PART 01: .................................................................................................................................. 3 LO 1.1: Briefly explain how the globalization has an impact on a national economy ......... 3 LO 1.2: Discuss the influence of international institutions. .................................................. 4 LO 1.3: Explain the role of European Union on Unilever, UK. ........................................... 6 LO 2.1: Explain the importance of having good Corporate Governance for the organization ............................................................................................................................................... 7 LO 2.2 & 2.3: Discuss what regulatory requirements exist in the country shaping the corporate governance practices of an organization and their role in ensuring corporate stakeholder’s interest. ............................................................................................................ 8 LO 3.1: Discuss the economics of adopting a policy...
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...Records • Books and Records • Disclosure Controls • Internal Controls 3. Securities Trading 4. Antitrust Policy and Compliance Guidelines 5. Lobbying 6. Political Contributions and Related Policies 7. Transacting International Business 8 8 8 8 8 8 9 9 10 10 10 10 B. Respect in the Workplace 1. Behavior in the Workplace 2. Child Labor and Worker Exploitation 3. Wage and Hour Practices 4. Safety, Health and Environmental • Employee Safety • Environmental Quality 5. HIV/AIDS 6. Conflict of Interest • Business, Financial and Personal Relationships • Gifts, Entertainment and Gratuities • Improper Use of Company Assets 7. Employee Privacy 11 11 12 12 12 13 13 14 14 14 14 14 14 C. Respect in the Marketplace 1. Product Safety 2. Bribery and Improper Business Dealings • Commercial Bribery • Improper Payments to Government Officials • Money Laundering and Product Diversion Avoidance 3. Fair Dealing and Fair Competition • Treating Suppliers Appropriately • Treating Customers Appropriately • The Government as a Customer • Treating Competitors Appropriately • Fair Competition • Advertising and Promoting to Consumers Appropriately 4. Consumer Privacy and Confidentiality • Confidentiality • Consumer Privacy 5. Communicating with the Media 6. Research Involving Animals 15 15 15 15 15 16 16 16 16 16 17 D. Respect in Society and Our Communities 1. Community Relations 2. Support of Universal Human...
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...Ethics Keith A. Bates Sr. MGT/498 4 April 2012 Richard Rignall Ethics Ethics and Social Responsibility in Developing a Strategic Plan Ethics are values that guide personal thoughts and actions in knowing right from wrong. Personal conduct and behavior is based on how the individual views unethical behavior. Social responsibility is the company, management, and employees working and conducting themselves by following rules of society. Companies that include ethics and social responsibility into the company's mission and vision statement have a greater chance of succeeding. Ethics is based on an individual's actions. These individual actions affect the business. Adelphia, one of The United States largest cable company, failed because of poor leadership. Leadership at Adelphia did not conduct business in an ethical fashion and these actions created an atmosphere of greed and corruption, which resulted in prosecution and jail time. Companies have a responsibility to the society that the company serves. Successful companies are organizations financially responsible, but do not place profit above social responsibility. Companies that demonstrate their commitment to society and consumers create an atmosphere where the consumers will return. Consumers need to feel safe with the products they purchased and have faith the company is responsible in the product design, pricing, and consumer safety. Corporations should consider their community and residents when formulating the strategic...
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...outward on the wants and preferences of customers. In particular, marketing-oriented firms create customer value, maintain customer satisfaction, and build long-term relationships. Business. A firm with a sales orientation is in the business of selling goods and services. A firm with a market orientation is in the business of satisfying consumer wants and needs. Customers. A sales orientation directs the firm’s output at everybody, while a market orientation directs goods toward specific groups of people. Primary goal. The primary goal of a firm with a sales orientation is to make profit through maximizing sales volume. The primary goal of a firm with a market orientation is to seek profit through customer satisfaction. Tools for goal achievement. A sales orientation seeks to achieve goals primarily through intensive promotion. A market orientation achieves goals through coordinated use of a set of marketing activities. 2 Student answers to this question will vary. Answers should include a cost competitive advantage, which can be achieved through no-frills goods and customer service, efficient labour, production innovations (such as new products not currently on the market), and the experience curve. A product differentiation competitive advantage might be achieved by the use of the value impression (this possibility is implied in the description of the containers). The company might also try selling an augmented product offering; perhaps a bread mix bundled with...
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...Ethics Keith A. Bates Sr. MGT/498 4 April 2012 Richard Rignall Ethics Ethics and Social Responsibility in Developing a Strategic Plan Ethics are values that guide personal thoughts and actions in knowing right from wrong. Personal conduct and behavior is based on how the individual views unethical behavior. Social responsibility is the company, management, and employees working and conducting themselves by following rules of society. Companies that include ethics and social responsibility into the company's mission and vision statement have a greater chance of succeeding. Ethics is based on an individual's actions. These individual actions affect the business. Adelphia, one of The United States largest cable company, failed because of poor leadership. Leadership at Adelphia did not conduct business in an ethical fashion and these actions created an atmosphere of greed and corruption, which resulted in prosecution and jail time. Companies have a responsibility to the society that the company serves. Successful companies are organizations financially responsible, but do not place profit above social responsibility. Companies that demonstrate their commitment to society and consumers create an atmosphere where the consumers will return. Consumers need to feel safe with the products they purchased and have faith the company is responsible in the product design, pricing, and consumer safety. Corporations should consider their community and residents when formulating the strategic...
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...Ethical questions range from practical, narrowly defined issues, such as a company's obligation to be honest with its customers, to broader social and philosophical questions, such as a company's responsibility to preserve the environment and protect employee rights. Many ethical conflicts develop from conflicts between the differing interests of company owners and their workers, customers, and surrounding community. Managers must balance the ideal against the need to produce a reasonable profit for the company's shareholders with honesty in business practices, safety in the workplace, and larger environmental and social issues. Today's companies are trying to gain a competitive advantage by providing products or services to meet the needs of the international consumer. To enable these companies to successfully develop and market their products and or services internationally a clear understanding of the social and ethical responsibilities of all stakeholders must be established. Multinational companies have been encouraged by many scholars to develop clear and specific codes of conduct that outline their objectives, duties, and obligations in the international markets in which they operate (Rudolph 1995). These codes are to be implemented company-wide, across all divisions and departments. To be truly useful, the code of ethics should take into consideration the vested interests of both the host country and the host population. Another dimension is that ethics is a framework...
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