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Value Alignment

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Value Alignment
Crysta Lezon, George Liss, Kristie O'Neal, Larry Mayor, and Michelle O'Neill
BUS 475
September 5, 2011
Brian Duhart

Value Alignment Personal values depict what an individual believes to be important to his or her life and often the values determine the individual’s behavior. Workplace values are similar in many ways, just in a more professional setting. In this paper, Team C will discuss not only the personal and workplace values but also the resulting actions and behaviors, and Coca-Cola’s stated values compared to their actual plans, and actions. Team C will also analyze the degree of alignment within the Coca-Cola Company.
Personal and Workplace Values
Personal Values Every company has their own set of values they have accumulated over the years of operation that they intend every employee, new or old, to follow. In addition to the company’s values each individual employee has his or her personal values he or she likes to follow. Integrity, honesty, loyalty, quality, drive, respect, and freedom are a few values that many people obtain and like to act on. For any company, including Coca-Cola, it is a valuable asset to have employees with personal values because the company knows they are good people.
Workplace Values
Workplace values are a key to any company’s success. Every employee needs to follow a set of workplace values as well as personal values. The Coca-Cola Company has seven core values within the workplace: “leadership, collaboration, passion, integrity, quality, diversity, and accountability,” (The Coca-Cola Company, 2006-2011, b).
These workplace values allow Coca-Cola to be well rounded. It allows them to reach out to a very diverse audience because the employees are very diverse. Because of this Coca-Cola can keep their promises of refreshing the people.
Actions and Behaviors
The actions and behaviors of an organization are largely directed by the values of the organization. The organization values are largely influenced by the values of the individuals within the organization. Values are the principals that individuals hold in the highest esteem, and refer to when making decisions. Each person's actions can be referred to as isolated decisions in specific situations. Behaviors are the ways that people react to internal and external factors, and are often more predictable and habitual than actions. Both the actions and behaviors of individuals are direct reflections of the values of that individual. The values of an individual are the guiding beliefs that will form the basis for his or her decision of how to act and behave. By this definition, the actions and behaviors of an individual are in direct alignment with his or her values.
Organization's Stated Values, Actual Plans, and Actions
Coca-Cola's plans and actions reflect the company's stated values of leadership, collaboration, integrity, accountability, passion, diversity, and quality fairly well. Coca-Cola operates in more than 200 countries and is the "largest nonalcoholic beverage company" in the world (The Coca-Cola Company Form 10-K, n.d., p. 1, para 3). In addition to displaying itself as a leader in its industry, Coca-Cola collaborates with "more than 300 bottling partners," most of which are not controlled or owned by Coca-Cola (The Coca-Cola Company, 2006-2011, a). Coca-Cola's plans and actions also support its claim of diversity. Coca-Cola employs approximately 139,600 associates throughout the world and offers more than 500 products, showing it is as diverse in the people it employs as the products it creates (The Coca-Cola Company Form 10-K, n.d.).
The concern of quality to Coca-Cola shows through the acknowledgement that a change in the quality of available water will affect the cost of production or reduce the amount of quality product Coca-Cola can produce (The Coca-Cola Company Form 10-K, n.d.). A review of impending legal proceedings Coca-Cola is facing may bring its accountability and integrity into question, specifically the legal proceeding titled "Chapman v. Isdell, et al." (The Coca-Cola Company Form 10-K, n.d. p. 25, para 4). Chapman's allegations include "breaches of fiduciary duties, abuse of control, gross mismanagement, waste of corporate assets and unjust enrichment" (The Coca-Cola Company Form 10-K, n.d. p. 25, para 4).
Analyze the Degree of Alignment
Coca-Cola is the biggest beverage company in the world and has had years to determine what their values are and how to incorporate them into the organization. Coca-Cola and most big corporations publish their mission, vision, and value statements in the company website and have them posted on big plaque in the lobby. The reason for this is not to only inspire but also to guide and remind the organization of its purpose, direction, and philosophy.
Each value defines the company and through corporate actions describes how others see the company. How these values align with personal values determines the compatibility of oneself and the company. An individual may agree with each value Coca-Cola has, but for different reasons. He or she may have different values more important to him or her because not everyone has the same value system. Coca-Cola's bases its value system on business and customer relations over years of trial and error; individuals develop their values over time too, but under very different challenges. He or she and Coca-Cola may not have the same values but respecting each point of view provide for a deeper understanding of similarities and differences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, some personal values most often used by individuals include integrity, loyalty, honesty, drive, quality, freedom, and respect. Within the workplace at the Coca-Cola Company the values include accountability, quality, passion, integrity, diversity, collaboration, and leadership. The behavior of the individual and his or her actions solely reflect that particular individuals values. Coca-Cola is a well-known company located all over the world in more than 200 countries making it the largest nonalcoholic beverage company. Coca-Cola's ability to employ associates with personal values that align with its company values has contributed to its success.

Reference The Coca-Cola Company. (2006-2011, a). The Coca-Cola System. Retrieved from http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/ourcompany/the_cocacola_system.html
The Coca-Cola Company. (2006-2011, b). Sustainability. Retrieved from http://www.thecocacolacompany.com/citizenship/workplace_culture.html
The Coca-Cola Company Form 10-K. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.thecoca-colacompany.com/investors/pdfs/form_10K_2010.pdf

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