Ethical Issues in Business
Dante Scott
Western Governors University

In the case of Company Q regarding social responsibility as far as managing a grocery chain, I would say that it definitely needs improvement, due to the fact that there are trust issues amongst its employees. For example, Company Q refuses to donate any of its day old food to area food banks due to the fact of employee fraud of stealing the products for their own use rather than actually giving it to the donation center. One way that the company can do to improve their social responsibility as far as trust issues of lost revenue over the company, is to hire employees who are honest, dependable, and hard working individuals. One of the many ways to find those employees is to conduct background checks on its employees and potential new hires prior to them starting new employment with Company Q. Also, have a supervisor watch the delivery of the food to food banks to make sure the employees are donating it and verifying that nothing is being stolen. This would ensure revenues are not lost and that the food is going to the area food banks to be properly donated. Although Company Q was losing money and that was the main reason to why they closed two grocery chains, this was, however, a wise decision when it comes to social responsibility. The reason behind it is because if certain businesses are not prospering financially then they are considered financially irresponsible. And obviously with a business being financially irresponsible, that means that consumers are either not shopping at these particular grocery chains due to the high crime, which takes a toll on the social responsibility aspect as far as attracting consumers to these places. Now although stated before it was a smart idea to close the two chains because they were in high crime areas, a way for Company Q to improve its social responsibility would be to first open up grocery chains in better areas of the city or metropolitan area. This will attract more business since consumers will feel safe shopping in these areas. And with safety not being a major concern, Company Q could also promote these stores to gain more business through television, social media, the internet, and other means to improve their social responsibility so that the company can make more money. Another way Company Q can improve its social responsibility is to offer more health conscience products. Since not only did the customers request for these items for years, they also yield a high margin which means that for the cost of the product as it is wholesale, they are able to make a huge profit off of the product retail wise. So if the grocery chain makes more money from these products and customers are requesting these products since they are very healthy, then it is a beneficial concept for both the company and the consumers who shop at Company Q. All these concepts mentioned would benefit Company Q and the community in which it serves at large. This is so because consumers are looking for better ways to eat healthier, food banks are always accepting donations from restaurants and grocery stores to help feed the homeless or the less fortunate, and by offering consumers safer locations to shop at in a city or metropolitan area, will definitely help maintain a balance on their financial or economical profits with increased sales and by providing superior service to the individuals or the consumers in the community that Company Q serves. So overall, Company Q has its reasons for operating the way they do currently, but with these improvements and changes listed above, they will exceed greatly when it comes to social responsibility.