Business ethics

Introduction Business ethics and globalisation (Kevin) Business ethics and relationships with

employeesas stakeholders (Lisa)

Business ethics and relationships with consumersas stakeholders (Steve)

Role play (Fabian, Matti, Simon)

Structure

Does Mc Donald‘s have a global responsibility to take care about the health of the

consumers?

Ethical issue

Criticisms in Europe:• unhealthiness risk of customers’ health• advertising exploits children• lack of nutrition information • paying low wages • In Asia: less criticism

McEthics in Europe and Asia

Reactions:

nutrition labeling healthy options/ balanced menu promote balanced lifestyle “diet and exercise” sustainably grown coffee and biodiesel in Asia/other countries: same strategy good

marketing strategy, bigger choice of (healthier) products

Do corporations have a responsibility to respect

international children‘s rights even if the national law does not exist?

Ethical issue

Uzbek cotton: a new spin on child labour in the

clothing industry

Oppressive regime controls cotton production Children are forced to work under bad conditions Western companies succeeded in boycotting the

Uzbek cotton In 2008 the Uzbek government banned children

under 16 from work

The case

Are microcredit lenders justified in charging poor

borrowers high interest rates?

Ethical issue

Consumer ethicsConsumers as stakeholders

Microfinance = small-scale financial service Directly targets poor people, who are

excluded from mainstream banking sector

Targeting the poor with microfinance

Microcredits

positive

support small-business sector

improve household budget provide greater opportunity

for education

negative

risk on high interest rates

Role play

Thank you for your attention