Value Alignment for PepsiCo
For organizations to attain a competitive advantage in today’s business environment they are employing a diverse and multicultural workforce. This diversification permits organizations to focus on developing products and services that reach numerous cultures. This diversification also allows various cultural and ethical standards to be integrated into their strategic plans. It is the duty of top level executives in an organization to impart ethical, moral, and the company vision to its employees. Executives must “walk the talk.” In this brief analysis, Learning Team D will examine the origin and subsequent evolution of both PepsiCo’s workplace values and personal values. An explanation of how individual values drive actions and behaviors will be reviewed along with an analysis of the degree of alignment between PepsiCo’s stated values and their plans and actions. Finally Team D will explain the differences and analyze the degree of alignment between our values and PepsiCo’s values as reflected in their plans and actions.
Evolution of Personal and Workplace Values
Most individuals derive attitudes relating to personal responsibility through their upbringing and family interactions. Many value concepts learned early in life influence individual perceptions and subsequently affect (through demonstrated traits) ‘learned’ behaviors that relate to speech, personal beliefs (faith), work environments, and interpersonal activities (Davis, & Keyser, 2012). In academic settings for example, individuals determine specific values regarding study habits - concentrated efforts produce higher grades; whereas, a (foundational) disregard for scholastic success equates to underachievement and potentially lower paying employment throughout life. The work environment similarly, requires many demanding socialization factors that contribute to an individual’s successes or failures. This evolutionary adaptation to different environments emanates from previous experiences that reinforce internal concepts concerning individual values. Similarly, businesses adopt definitive values based on conceptions and philosophies to conduct business in different environments.
PepsiCo, maker of the internationally known beverage Pepsi-Cola; operates manufacturing centers and distribution channels worldwide. PepsiCo aligns its business practices with its mission and vision statements that purposefully attune to social responsibility and the human condition in every region of its commerce (PepsiCo, 2012). An ever-evolving environmental condition requires (and PepsiCo accepts), developing responsible activities related to business, individual respect, and the environment.
Individual Actions Driving Actions and Behaviors
Team D wants to believe that every action taken is based on a good value system, facts, and how that action may affect others; however, each person is brought up with different culture, different backgrounds, and come from distinct demographics. Jarrett states (n.d.), “parents, siblings, role models, relatives, friends, and the institutions attended all are part of forming core values” (p. 2). Every individual has his or her own specific set of values and although many of those values may be similar, many are also quite different.
Every decision or action taken is based on the value system of the individual making the decision. An individual’s values will drive what he or she will do for each specific decision made. The alignment of values to actions and behaviors are critical in the decision-making process. One member of Learning Team D was brought up on the east coast so his values may be distinct from the rest of his team members based on location, friends, different education as a child, and because of a military background.
PepsiCo’s Degree of Alignment between Stated Values and Plans and Actions A “Worldwide Code of Conduct” is the foundation for PepsiCo’s stated values (PepsiCo, 2012). These values consist of an obligation to continual growth, empowering people by making them more dependable, and building trust. PepsiCo’s values are mainly focused on providing support. Collectively, PepsiCo’s plans and actions are an indication of the environmentally dependable company they continually aspire to be in the workplace, marketplace, and community. This is done through empowering employees, promoting continual growth, and increasing organizational dependability. Empowering people means PepsiCo has the freedom to think and act in ways that they believe will get the job done. PepsiCo’s continual growth is the basic principle to inspiring and measuring their success. PepsiCo’s dependability forms the groundwork for strong growth. PepsiCo demonstrates their concern through their devotion to their customers, employees, and the region in which they operate.
Like most successful organizations part of PepsiCo’s action plan is to have short and long-term goals. The company focuses its attention not only on their employees but also the concerns of their consumers. PepsiCo’s values are aligned much the same way an individual aligns his or her personal values. The company desires growth, a structure that displays trust, and exhibits the need to assist in enabling others. One major issue affecting this country is obesity, and PepsiCo is developing products that can be easily identified as healthier by its “smart symbol.” These acts contribute to a global issue and show the concern that the company has for its potential customers. As an innovative company, PepsiCo is not always reacting for the result of financial gain and this aligns with personal values. Healthier products may not be the most attractive but the developments of these items are examples that demonstrate the positive care and concern from PepsiCo.
Personal Values versus PepsiCo’s Values
Values, actions, and behaviors within PepsiCo are different from what most organizations expect. Our values are similar to those of PepsiCo because it highly values the commitment to growth and empowering their employees. Another quality to admire about PepsiCo is how they set their values in the same manner as an individual would make a personal assessment because PepsiCo takes special pride in its employees and consumers. Truth, respect, responsibility, and empowering its employees are aspects and qualities that Team D strongly believes in, and they are high on the priority list for PepsiCo. Team D strongly believes Pepsi will only market and sell its products if they align with the values of the company. Values are an important part of operating a successful business. PepsiCo realizes there is harsh competition, and to stay competitive the executives make decisions that indicate values were part of the decision-making process. PepsiCo understands what is good for the consumer will also be good for business.
Conclusion
PepsiCo remains a leader in their industry, not only because of their products but also because of the values practiced in the workplace. PepsiCo pays attention to the community and the world to align and match up with the current measures needed to improve strategic plans. No matter what types of values drive an individual or an organization, it is critical for business to have positive morals and values to succeed. This is why PepsiCo believes in “performance with a purpose.”

References
Davis, L., & Keyser, J. (2012). Six Ways our Children Learn Values. Retrieved from: http://www.ivillage.com/six-ways-our-children-learn-values/6-a-128582
Jarrett, J. (n.d.). Core Values: The Foundation of Leadership. Retrieved from: http://www.amsc.belvoir.army.mil/interim/bc/docs/values.pdf PepsiCo. (2012). Our Mission and Vision. Retrieved from:
http://www.pepsico.com/Company/Our-Mission-and-Vision.html