Assignment 2 Ethics and Advocacy
Assignment 2: “Coca Cola Company Struggles with Ethical Crisis”
DJhonna M. Jones Dr. James G. Ziegler, Ph.D.
Ethics and Advocacy for HR Professionals
July 28, 2014
Abstract
During the scope of this paper we will take a look at some of the ethical crisis that Coca Cola has had to deal with in their 100 year history. There will be delineation between the ethical issues and dilemmas that the company faced. This paper will determine which of the issues or dilemmas where the most significant and explain the choices made. A determination of what steps the Coca Cola Company should have made to prevent the issues identified from happening in the first place. An analyzation of how Coca Cola responded to their crisis and whether it was the best possible response or not.
Delineate the ethical issues and dilemmas the company faced. According to the text book, an ethical issue is a problem, situation, or opportunity that requires an individual, group, or organization to choose among several actions that must be evaluated as right, wrong or unethical actions (Ferrell, 2011). On the other hand an ethical dilemma is a problem, situation, or opportunity that requires an individual, group, or organization to choose among several wrong or unethical actions (Ferrell, 2011). The Coca Cola Company found its self in a number of ethical dilemmas and issues. Among the ethical issues and dilemmas that Coca Cola faced included discrimination, environmental issues, and competitive issues. These ethical issues and dilemmas plagued Coca Cola from 1996 to 2009. Coca Cola faced discrimination charges in 1999. 1500 African American employees sued Coca cola for racial discrimination (Ferrell, 2011). Four then current and former employees, as representatives of 2200 similarly situated African Americans, alleged that Coca Cola practiced “glass ceiling” policies that African American employees suffered discrimination in pay, promotions, and
DJhonna M. Jones Dr. James G. Ziegler, Ph.D.
Ethics and Advocacy for HR Professionals
July 28, 2014
Abstract
During the scope of this paper we will take a look at some of the ethical crisis that Coca Cola has had to deal with in their 100 year history. There will be delineation between the ethical issues and dilemmas that the company faced. This paper will determine which of the issues or dilemmas where the most significant and explain the choices made. A determination of what steps the Coca Cola Company should have made to prevent the issues identified from happening in the first place. An analyzation of how Coca Cola responded to their crisis and whether it was the best possible response or not.
Delineate the ethical issues and dilemmas the company faced. According to the text book, an ethical issue is a problem, situation, or opportunity that requires an individual, group, or organization to choose among several actions that must be evaluated as right, wrong or unethical actions (Ferrell, 2011). On the other hand an ethical dilemma is a problem, situation, or opportunity that requires an individual, group, or organization to choose among several wrong or unethical actions (Ferrell, 2011). The Coca Cola Company found its self in a number of ethical dilemmas and issues. Among the ethical issues and dilemmas that Coca Cola faced included discrimination, environmental issues, and competitive issues. These ethical issues and dilemmas plagued Coca Cola from 1996 to 2009. Coca Cola faced discrimination charges in 1999. 1500 African American employees sued Coca cola for racial discrimination (Ferrell, 2011). Four then current and former employees, as representatives of 2200 similarly situated African Americans, alleged that Coca Cola practiced “glass ceiling” policies that African American employees suffered discrimination in pay, promotions, and