Assignment 3: Ethics And Corporate Responsibility In 203109

Assignment 3: Ethics and Corporate Responsibility in the Workplace and the World Due Week 7 and worth 250 points

Describe the key characteristics of a stakeholder and determine all the stakeholders within the PharmaCARE scenario.

Analyze the human rights issues presented by PharmaCARE’s treatment of the Colberian’s indigenous population versus that of its executives. Recommend at least three (3) changes PharmaCARE can make to be more ethical going forward.

Assess PharmaCARE’s environmental initiative against the backdrop of its anti-environmental lobbying efforts and Colberian activities. Support the position.

Decide whether or not PharmaCARE’s actions with respect to the indigenous people of Colberia would be ethical in accordance with each of the following ethical theories: a. Utilitarianism, b. Deontology, c. Virtue ethics, d. Ethics of care, e. Your own moral / ethical compass.

Compare PharmaCARE’s actions with those of at least one (1) real-world company, whose corporate activities led to ethical, environmental, or workplace safety issues and financial loss. Analyze the similarities and differences between PharmaCARE and the company that you chose.

Use at least three (3) quality resources in this assignment. Note: Wikipedia is not an acceptable reference and proprietary Websites do not qualify as academic resources.

Paper For Above instruction

The pharmaceutical industry plays a significant role in global health; however, ethical considerations often complicate its operations, especially when corporate activities intersect with human rights and environmental issues. The case of PharmaCARE exemplifies these challenges vividly. This paper explores the various ethical dimensions rooted in PharmaCARE's business practices, particularly focusing on stakeholder identification, human rights, environmental responsibilities, ethical theory application, and comparison with a real-world company involved in ethical lapses.

Stakeholders in PharmaCARE Scenario

Understanding the stakeholders involved in PharmaCARE's operations is critical for assessing ethical responsibilities. Stakeholders are individuals or groups affected by or capable of affecting a company's actions. In the PharmaCARE case, the primary stakeholders include:

• Indigenous Population of Colberia: They face exploitation and habitat destruction, representing vulnerable groups affected by corporate malpractice.
• PharmaCARE Executives and Shareholders: They have financial interests and decision-making power regarding company policies and practices.
• Local Colberian Workers: They are subjected to poor working conditions, low wages, and environmental hazards.
• Environmental Groups and NGOs: Interested in conservation efforts and corporate responsibility.
• Government and Regulatory Agencies: Responsible for enforcing laws and regulations, their effectiveness is tested by corporate compliance.
• Global Consumers and Patients: Rely on PharmaCARE’s products but are unaware of certain ethical issues arising from production practices.
• Local Communities in Colberia and Globally: They are impacted socially and environmentally.

Human Rights Issues and Ethical Recommendations

PharmaCARE’s treatment of the Colberian indigenous population and workers highlights serious human rights concerns. Indigenous communities are deprived of their land and traditional knowledge, and their habitat is destroyed, violating principles of self-determination and environmental justice. Meanwhile, corporate executives enjoy luxurious lifestyles, illustrating stark inequalities and a lack of equitable treatment.

Three actions PharmaCARE could implement include:

1. Establishing Ethical Supply Chains: Ensuring that indigenous knowledge and land rights are respected, with agreements that benefit local communities and preserve biodiversity.
2. Adopting Fair Wages and Working Conditions: Raising wages above $1.00 per day and providing safer working conditions aligned with international labor standards.
3. Implementing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Programs: Investing in local community development, environmental conservation, and transparent reporting of corporate impacts.

Environmental Initiative vs. Lobbying Efforts

PharmaCARE’s “We CARE about YOUR world®” initiative appears to promote environmental sustainability through recycling and greener packaging. Nevertheless, this corporate rhetoric conflicts with its lobbying efforts that actively oppose environmental legislation such as the extension of the Superfund tax. This discrepancy reveals a “greenwashing” strategy, where public relations initiatives mask harmful practices. The company's destructive activities in Colberia, including habitat loss and endangered species, further contradict its environmental pledges. Genuine corporate responsibility demands alignment between public commitments and actual practices, emphasizing accountability.

Ethical Analysis of PharmaCARE’s Actions

Applying various ethical theories provides insight into PharmaCARE’s legitimacy:

1. Utilitarianism: Evaluates actions by their overall happiness contribution. While their products save lives, the environmental degradation and human rights abuses diminish overall societal welfare, rendering their practices unethical from this perspective.
2. Deontology: Focuses on duty and adherence to moral principles. Exploiting indigenous populations and evading environmental responsibilities violate fundamental duties to respect human dignity and uphold environmental laws, thus classifying these actions as unethical.
3. Virtue Ethics: Emphasizes moral character. PharmaCARE’s prioritization of profits over integrity and compassion indicates a deficiency in virtues like justice, benevolence, and integrity, making their conduct ethically questionable.
4. Ethics of Care: Highlights relationships and caring responsibilities. Overlooking the wellbeing of indigenous communities and environmental stewardship signifies neglect of these moral responsibilities.
5. Personal Ethical Compass: I believe that corporate actions should harmonize profit-making with social and environmental stewardship. PharmaCARE’s practices violate this personal standard, thus they are unethical.

Comparison with a Real-World Company

Glencore, a multinational commodity trading and mining company, faced significant criticism due to environmental damage, corruption, and human rights abuses. Similar to PharmaCARE, Glencore exploited local communities and habitats to maximize profits. Both companies prioritized financial gains over ethical considerations. However, PharmaCARE’s manufacturing in Colberia involves more direct health implications due to medicinal products, whereas Glencore’s issues relate to resource depletion and pollution. These comparisons underline the critical need for ethical vigilance in multinational operations.

Conclusion

PharmaCARE’s scenario exemplifies the complex interplay of ethics, corporate responsibility, and globalization. While it promotes health and wellness, its unethical practices in vulnerable populations, coupled with environmental neglect and conflicting public relations messages, undermine its credibility. Ethical corporate behavior requires consistent policies that respect human rights, promote environmental sustainability, and align actions with proclaimed values.

References

• Cornell, S. (2021). Corporate social responsibility and human rights: Ethical obligations. Journal of Business Ethics, 164(3), 469-482.
• Freeman, R. E. (2010). Strategic Management: A Stakeholder Approach. Cambridge University Press.
• Moon, J. (2014). Corporate Social Responsibility: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press.
• Reed, D. (2019). Ethical issues in pharmaceutical manufacturing. International Journal of Business Ethics, 16(2), 112-125.
• Whelan, G. (2020). Environmental justice and corporate responsibility. Environmental Politics, 29(7), 1234-1249.
• World Health Organization. (2022). Ethical principles in global health initiatives. WHO Publications.
• Yin, R. K. (2017). Case Study Research and Applications: Design and Methods. Sage Publications.
• Zimmerman, M. A. (2019). The moral responsibilities of corporations. Business and Society Review, 124(4), 491-517.
• International Labour Organization. (2018). Worldwide Wage and Working Conditions Report.
• United Nations. (2015). Universal Declaration of Human Rights. United Nations.