...CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY PAPER. Question: Does Walmart have a corporate responsibility to avoid doing business in countries that are undemocratic, violate human rights, or permit exploitative work conditions even if it benefits those employed by Walmart in that country. In order to understand the reasons why Walmart should care about doing business in undemocratic countries where human rights are constantly being violated, several factors must be taken into consideration. Firstly, the definition of corporate and social responsibility must be clearly realized. Next, there should be thorough comprehension of corporate law and international corporate law in relation to human rights. Another point to identify to realize Wal-Mart’s responsibility is the efforts that have been made by the corporation in the issues of humanitarianism; in this we will identify cases, which will illustrate the corporation’s record when it comes to human rights. As a corporation founded in one of the democratic countries in the world as well as a major player in international organizations such as the United Nations, Wal-Mart as an entity has a moral responsibility to adhere to human rights law and protecting the citizens of so called “undemocratic countries.”, Corporate responsibility is defined as “duty and rational conduct expected of a corporation; accountability of a corporation to a code of ethics and to established laws” (Dictionary.com.) but in this case, the definition of Corporate Social...
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...that merits study at this point in the course? According to this case, the major issue is the conflicts between Walmart and local manufacturers. Because of the low price in Walmart, local manufacturing business cannot survive in the market. Also, production process in Walmart creates many environment problems. Meanwhile, importAlso, to produce low cost merchandise, Walmart provides extremely low wages and benefits to labors, which put workers in a hard condition. taking advantage of illegal immigrants. •Gender discrimination against women. • Most sued company in America in respect of lawsuits. 3. What sub-issues or related issues are present in the case that merit consideration now? Analysis and Evaluation 1. Who are the stakeholders in the case and what are their stakes? What challenges, threats or opportunities are posed by these stakeholders? From government perspective, US government gain good reputation. Walmart, as a US company, brings many good reputations. For Chinese government, it is a good supplier to Walmart. Walmart creates many job opportunities in China. However, Walmart harms nature environment in China. From owners perspective, The Walton Family earns a lot of money. However, it gets bad reputations in the society. To fix this problem, it can give back to society , such as donations. From Employees perspective, employees in Walmart get jobs. However, they can only get low wages. Labor unions argue for labors rights. It is against Walmart’s...
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...This article is published in a peer-reviewed section of the Utrecht Law Review Four Case Studies on Corporate Social Responsibility: Do Conflicts Affect a Company’s Corporate Social Responsibility Policy? Cristina A. Cedillo Torres, Mercedes Garcia-French, Rosemarie Hordijk, Kim Nguyen, Lana Olup* 1. Introduction 1.1. Background and objectives This article will discuss the different Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) issues that emerged within four multinationals (Apple, Canon, Coca-Cola and Walmart). There is no clear definition of CSR. In Corporate Social Responsibility, Legal and semi-legal frameworks supporting CSR Lambooy gives an r o verview of several definitions of CSR.1 The European Commission defines CSR as ‘the esponsibility of enterprises for their impacts on society’.2 This is the definition which is the most suitable for the c ontext of the article’s research question. As this article will focus on companies from the US and Japan, the authors also provide an overview of the focus on CSR from the US and Japanese perspective. In the US there is no governmental regulation regarding CSR or business best practices. Instead, according to findings from Bennett American, companies have a marked tendency to use codes of conduct.3 The American CSR perspective could be described as following a principles-based approach, with codes of conduct that prescribe values and principles which company members as a whole should aspire to follow. ...
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...MGMT 4300 B Bill Woof 06.01.2014 In the face of national crises, people most often turn to the government for safety and social welfare. After all, one must be able to depend on the governing body of a nation to provide for basic needs when an extreme situation escalates to complete chaos and turmoil. It is safe to say that the horrific catastrophe in Hurricane Katrina, and its aftermath, represented a national crisis. Unfortunately for the affected American citizens, even in the state of emergency, then US President George W. Bush and the governing agencies responsible for immediate response were ineffective at providing the necessary aid following Hurricane Katrina. Leading to at least 1,833 deaths and total damages of an estimated $81 billion, the hurricane registers as the most deadly and costly in the history of the United States of America. The most significant number of deaths and casualties occurred in New Orleans, Louisiana, which became a flooded region as the essential levee system disastrously failed. Eventually 80% of the city, and up to 90% of coastal areas were almost entirely flooded, leading to building collapses, houses and cars pushed inland, and several additional disastrous occurrences. Recall that a levee system is essential for the regulation of water levels, whose adequate construction and maintenance is the responsibility of the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). As a U.S federal agency, there are given expectations that the flood control...
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...Ethics and Responsibility 1 Business Ethics Business Ethics and Social Resposibility Caladia Faulkner Business Ethics Grand Canyon University Ethics and Responsibility 2 Business Ethics And Social Responsibility Most companies have built a strong foundation on giving and making a difference, whether its in the workplace or in the community where it does business. It is a known fact social responsibility is one aspect of business ethics. Some companies develop volunteerism programs where employees can volunteer for non-profit organizations and, in turn, the company will intiate rewards through matching donations back to the non-profit organizations. This allows employees to donate their time to issues they are passionate about and extend an extra hand financially through company contributions...
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...This article is published in a peer-reviewed section of the Utrecht Law Review Four Case Studies on Corporate Social Responsibility: Do Conflicts Affect a Company’s Corporate Social Responsibility Policy? Cristina A. Cedillo Torres, Mercedes Garcia-French, Rosemarie Hordijk, Kim Nguyen, Lana Olup* 1. Introduction 1.1. Background and objectives This article will discuss the different Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) issues that emerged within four multinationals (Apple, Canon, Coca-Cola and Walmart). There is no clear definition of CSR. In Corporate Social Responsibility, Legal and semi-legal frameworks supporting CSR Lambooy gives an r o verview of several definitions of CSR.1 The European Commission defines CSR as ‘the esponsibility of enterprises for their impacts on society’.2 This is the definition which is the most suitable for the c ontext of the article’s research question. As this article will focus on companies from the US and Japan, the authors also provide an overview of the focus on CSR from the US and Japanese perspective. In the US there is no governmental regulation regarding CSR or business best practices. Instead, according to findings from Bennett American, companies have a marked tendency to use codes of conduct.3 The American CSR perspective could be described as following a principles-based approach, with codes of conduct that prescribe values and principles which company members as a whole should aspire to follow. ...
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...with these oppositions, Wal-Mart responded vigorously and, instead, announced plans to preserving the environment, fighting hunger, empowering women and providing access to healthy, affordable food. The essay will try to argue the problems of Wal-Mart dominating the world in the retail business to create great profit by giving low wages to the employee according to Milton Friedman and utilitarianism. Also, it will discuss how the plans announced by Wal-Mart deal with the global responsibility. Moreover, how should government involve in this situation. Problem: Low-wages for the Employee 1. Milton Friedman According to Milton Friedman, an American economist and philosopher, the most important social responsibility of a corporation is to maximize profit for its owner- stockholder (Friedman, 1970). He suggested that if a corporation put the focus on being socially responsible, it would make the corporation less competitive with those competitors who did not put much focus on social responsibility. For the act of Wal-Mart to provide only low wages and little benefit to the employee, according to Friedman, it is actually reducing the operation cost of the company, hence, maximizing the profit. Moreover, Friedman also stated that when the corporation is maximizing the profit, it must follow the basic rules of the society. This actually support Wal-Mart action, as the wage given to the employee is...
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...IMPORTANCE OF CSR Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is not going to solve the world’s problems. That said, CSR is a way for companies to benefit themselves while also benefiting society. When I define CSR to the uninitiated, I typically get three reactions. Some say, “Isn’t that a bunch of greenwashing?” Others use a non-so-nice word to describe male bovine excrement instead of greenwashing. Still others say my definition sounds like an inspiring call to action to soothe the ills of capitalism. Then there are those who say CSR is like a begrudging call to Woodstock to sing Kumbaya – something only “hippies” could dream up. So what’s a CSR professional supposed to do when faced with such a varied response? Typically, I step on top of my soapbox to declare the six business reasons why companies should embrace corporate social responsibility. Companies that “get it” are the ones that are using CSR (or sustainability as I prefer to call it) as a way to push the following business processes into the organization: 1. Innovation – I know, I know, it’s an over-used term. Just typing the word into Amazon will bring up nearly 150,000 items. But in the context of CSR, innovation is a huge benefit to a company and society. For example, I recently watched a video of a brief talk by Geoff McDonald who is the Unilever Global VP for HR, Marketing, Communications and Sustainability. Using the “lens of sustainability” as McDonald described it, Unilever was able to innovate new products...
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...Executive Summary The report is discussed a CSR consultant for analyze and evaluate the performance of a foreign multinational in area of Corporate Social Responsibility in China. Corporate Social Responsibility is at the forefront of business initiatives for organization in China today. This article is going to talk about the Corporate Social Responsibility consultant analyze and evaluate the performance of a foreign multinational in China. Also can provide useful practical and relevant information and recommendations are how to approach the Corporate Social Responsibility form the foreign multinational in China. As in the foreign multinational in china, the Corporate Social Responsibility consultant should do these. * Provide an overview of the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility. * Outline the Wal-Mart’s history and activities in China. * Explain supply chain responsibility. Choosing the company’s suppliers who threat their workers and the environment well. * Wal-Mart’s approach to EHS and Worker’s Rights * From give the example of Wal-Mart, to analysis of the dynamics of Corporate Social Responsibility. * Give the Wal-Mart’s approach to Community Outreach. Table of content Executive Summary 1 Introduction 3 Outline the company’s history and activities in China. 4 The Company’s history 4 The Company’s activities in China 4 Analysis: 6 The Company’s approach to Workers’ Rights. 7 The fact: 7 The analysis: 8 The Company’s...
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...Organizational Profile: Wal-Mart Team ABC Ethics 316 June 11, 2012 Week Four Dr. Done It All Organizational Profile: Wal-Mart The following paper will examine the community organization of Wal-Mart. Specifically, insight into the organization’s involvement and responsibility to the community it serves will be shown. Additionally insight into factors influencing Wal-Mart’s social responsibility strategies and identifying the organization’s social initiative will give a better understanding of contributions to the local community. Finally the paper will present the potential ethical and moral effects of the organization’s social initiatives. “Wal-Mart is the largest retailer in the world” (Datamonitor, 2011, p. 5). The position Wal-Mart holds gives the company a large responsibility to contribute to the community that supports the stores. As an organization Wal-Mart owes its success to the stake holders of their business. Wal-Mart requires the community to continue business operations, Trevino and Nelson state that “a major stakeholder in business must be the communities of which corporations and other organizations are a part” (2007, p. 244). Wal-Mart must consider the community happiness with their business decisions to remain profitable. Wal-Mart gives back to the community in several ways including donations to charitable foundations...
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... Purchase raw materials, components, or supplies from sellers in other countries. Correct Answer: Purchase raw materials, components, or supplies from sellers in other countries. • Question 5 5 out of 5 points Technological innovation has aided the spread of globalization by: Answer Selected Answer: Leveling the playing field and allowing all to participate on an equal footing in global commerce. Correct Answer: Leveling the playing field and allowing all to participate on an equal footing in global commerce. • Question 6 5 out of 5 points What U.S. company is the best example of using globalization to reduce the price of its products? Answer Selected Answer: Walmart. Correct Answer: Walmart. • Question 7 0 out of 5 points An example of a Global Action Network, or GAN, is: Answer Selected Answer: The World Trade Organization. Correct...
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...Corporate Social Responsibility Literature review Today, the highly competitive business environment demands an increasingly sophisticated market strategy. In order to satisfy customer’s needs and gain competitive advantages, companies have to take consistent effort to create further value in to their products or services. In the meantime, worldwide government’s policy and legal system are adding more pressure on environmental sustainability. On top this, modern customers are asking for sustainable approach (Gauthier, 2005) and the investors are getting more sophisticated not only on company’s financial performance but also on the company’s sustainability and social responsibilities. All of the factors above, made merely financial oriented approach are not sufficient anymore, the companies who have the ambition to compete globally have to have a forward point of view and establish the sustainable marketing approach. Definition and Debate of CSR The concept of CSR has appeared into public view over last several decades, but a clearer definition has not been reached yet. In principle, CSR refers to a collection of value sheared with business stakeholders, namely, the business approach should meets or exceeds the ethical, legal, commercial and public expectations that holds by society, in order to achieve the sustainable development of the planet. Generally speaking, the concept of CSR widely ranged from ethical standard to accomplish the welfare of society. One famous definition...
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...ALLIANCE_UNIVERSITY, BANGALORE SUBJECT NAME & CODE: Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility, MGT A-510 BATCH: 2013-2015 DSA ASSIGNMENT Sustainability, environmental responsibility, and Business. Submitted To: Dr Soumen Mukherjee Associate Professor Alliance Business School Submitted by: PENMETCHA BHASKAR VARMA Course & Section: MARKETING Roll No.: 13010221085 Date of Submission: 10-09-2014 SUSTAINABILITY:- Sustainability refers to ‘Continued development or growth, without significant deterioration of the environment and depletion of natural resources on which human well-being depend.’ * (source)Business Dictionary Every organization has an opportunity to build value using sustainability as a tool. As there are many ways to follow sustainability but not all lead to value generation. Vanguard companies throughout the globe are making sustainability as key priority for their organization, some are updating policies and revising programs, some companies are making employee functions responsible for sustainability. In middle of this, many companies are confused either sustainability activities make sense are not, sustainability in the sense, much depends on what an organization has accomplished and has to accomplish. Pointing, at what stage an organization is in and what are the challenges it face in implementing sustainability program, can clarify an executive confusion in establishing plans for sustainability and implementing...
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...Corporate Social Responsibility 1 Corporate Social Responsibility Southern New Hampshire University Trenise Graves Corporate Social Responsibility 2 Executive Summary Corporate Social Responsibility has become the main initiative for companies looking to capitalize on sustainability and humanitarian efforts. CSR has evolved from companies donating corporate dollars to global non-profits, to sending employees into emerging geographical places to work directly with its initiatives partnering organizations. Wal-mart stores Inc., operates retail stores in various formats under various banners. It’s operations comprise of three reportable business segments, Wal-Mart U.S., Wal-Mart International and Sam’s Club in three categories; retail, wholesale, and e-commerce. Wal-Mart first opened in 1962 in Rogers, AK. The business is the result of its founder Sam Walton. His visionary leadership focused on helping customers and communities save money and live better. They feature a great selection of high quality merchandise, friendly service, and everyday low prices. Wal-Mart goal is to bring the best shopping experience to consumers. Wal-Mart business philosophy is based on the simple idea of making the customer No. 1. Wal-Mart as a corporation believe that by serving the...
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...business organization is obvious and enormous. This influence, termed corporate power- refers to the capability of corporations to influence government, the economy, and society based on their organizational resources. - Power is often a function of size and by almost any measure used, the world’s largest business enterprises are impressively big. -One way to get a sense of the economic power of the world’s largest companies is to compare them with nations -The size and global reach of major transnational corporations such as Walmart give them tremendous power. -We count on corporations for job creation; much of our community well-being; the standard of living we enjoy; the tax base for essential municipal, state, and national services; and our needs for banking and financial services, insurance, transportation, communication, utilities, entertainment, and growing proportion of health care. -Corporations not only dominate the traditional domains of product manufacture and service delivery. -The following well-known quotation, frequently appearing in journals for business executives challenges its readers to assume a responsible role for business in society: business has become… the most powerful institution on the planet. The dominant institution in any society needs to take responsibility for the whole… every decision that is made, every action that is taken, must be viewed in light of that kind of responsibility. -the tremendous power of the world’s leading corporations has...
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