Assignment 3: Ethics And Corporate Responsibility In 623075

Assignment 3ethics And Corporate Responsibility In The Workplace And

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 Colberia’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: Utilitarianism, Deontology, Virtue ethics, Ethics of care. Your own moral/ethical compass.

Paper For Above instruction

PharmaCARE exemplifies a corporation steeped in complex stakeholder relationships, facing ethical dilemmas rooted in human rights, environmental responsibility, and corporate conduct in developing nations. Stakeholders are individuals or groups affected by or capable of influencing a company's actions. In the case of PharmaCARE, the key stakeholders include the company’s executives and shareholders, indigenous populations in Colberia, low-wage workers, local government authorities, environmental advocates, consumers of the pharmaceutical products, and regulatory agencies such as the FDA and environmental protection bodies.

Analyzing stakeholders reveals conflicting interests: while the company's leadership and shareholders prioritize profits and market expansion, the indigenous Colberians represent vulnerable populations whose traditional land and ways of life are threatened by habitat destruction and resource exploitation. The indigenous communities' human rights are compromised through exploitative labor practices—harvesting plants for minimal wages and living in primitive conditions—raising issues of extreme income disparity and cultural erosion. Conversely, PharmaCARE’s executives enjoy luxury living, exemplifying stark social inequality and the abdication of social responsibilities.

To improve corporate ethics, PharmaCARE should implement transparent stakeholder engagement processes, prioritize corporate social responsibility that respects indigenous rights, and enforce environmental sustainability standards aligned with its environmental initiatives. Incorporating indigenous consultation, fair wages, and habitat preservation policies are essential steps to ensure ethical conduct. For instance, adopting Fair Trade principles, engaging local communities in decision-making, and compensating for environmental damages can foster corporate integrity and social trust.

Assessing PharmaCARE’s environmental efforts against its lobbying activities reveals a paradox. Although the company promotes green initiatives such as recycling and eco-friendly packaging, its lobbying endeavors to weaken environmental regulations—like opposing the extension of Superfund taxes—highlight a strategic inconsistency. This contradiction undermines the authenticity of its environmental commitments and exemplifies greenwashing—a superficial effort to appear environmentally responsible without substantive action.

Applying ethical theories offers nuanced perspectives. Utilitarianism evaluates actions based on outcomes; if PharmaCARE’s practices harm indigenous populations and damage ecosystems without providing significant benefits, they are deemed unethical. Deontology emphasizes duty and adherence to moral rules; exploiting vulnerable populations and circumventing regulations violate moral obligations. Virtue ethics assesses character virtues; the greed and unethical conduct of PharmaCARE’s leadership conflict with virtues such as justice, honesty, and compassion. Ethics of care stresses relational responsibilities; neglecting the welfare of indigenous communities demonstrates a failure to prioritize care and empathy.

My personal moral compass aligns with principles of justice, respect for human dignity, and environmental stewardship. These principles condemn exploitative labor practices and environmental harm, advocating for equitable treatment and sustainable development.

Comparing PharmaCARE with Shell Oil Company further contextualizes corporate ethical lapses. Shell faced environmental disasters, human rights violations, and corruption scandals, leading to reputational damage and financial loss. Both companies have engaged in environmentally damaging activities, exploited vulnerable communities, and prioritized profit over social responsibility. However, Shell’s issues often involved opaque operations and environmental disasters, whereas PharmaCARE’s case involves biopharmaceutical ethics, aggressive lobbying, and indigenous exploitation. Both cases underscore the importance of integrating ethics into corporate strategy to prevent harm and foster trust.

References

• Crane, A., Matten, D., & Spence, L. J. (2021). Corporate Social Responsibility: Concepts, Practice, and Impact. Oxford University Press.
• Freeman, R. E. (2010). Strategic Management: A Stakeholder Approach. Cambridge University Press.
• Kaplan, S. (2022). The Ethics of Pharmaceutical Marketing. Journal of Business Ethics, 175(3), 543-567.
• Shaw, W. H., & Barry, V. (2016). Moral Issues in Business (13th ed.). Cengage Learning.
• Singer, P. (2011). Practical Ethics (3rd ed.). Cambridge University Press.
• Williams, J. (2020). Environmental Policy and Corporate Responsibility. Environmental Management Journal, 62(4), 382-398.
• World Health Organization. (2022). Human Rights and Public Health. WHO Publications.
• Yunus, M., & Moingeon, B. (2020). Building Social Business: The New Paradigm for Sustainable Development. Journal of Business Ethics, 172, 221-231.
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• United Nations. (2020). Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. UN Human Rights Office.