GCE AND BUSINESS ETHICS
Adheip Singh (301232376)
Department of Business, Centennial College
BUSN119: Fundamentals of Business
Prof. Peter Garcia-Sjogrim
July 10, 2022
Management, Stakeholders and Ethics
Question: With reference to the stakeholders represented in that image, what ethical dilemmas do
the Story of Stuff present? Discuss. How does this apply to GCE#4?
Answer:
A. The Story of Stuff takes a deep dive into the materials economy and explains how the academic
explanation of it is incomplete, with the missing piece being, us, the people. It examines how the
linear system defined in textbooks is abstract due to the finiteness of the resources that we are
using. (Leonard, n.d.)
There are a number of ethical dilemmas in the video. Some of the dilemmas that pertain to
stakeholders of a business are as follows:
i. The Owner’s Dilemma: The primary goal of the owners is to make sure that the
concerned venture is profitable. In addition to profit, there are some important
obligations and other goals that the business is expected to fulfil like providing
employment and protecting the environment, just to name a few. But when it comes to
profitability, there are two things that affect it, i.e., high production costs and the
finiteness of resources. Ethical dilemmas related to these are explained below:
Profitability VS Employment.
High production costs can be countered by outsourcing business activities. But there
are consequences to this solution that affect the community. Reduced employment
implies a shrinking market for the business to sell products at a better margin. This
puzzling issue is a common ethical dilemma in the realm of business.
Finite Resources.
This problem poses an issue that can be countered by using resources from other
countries. But there are repercussions to this solution. From a macro perspective,
we are exhausting the limited resources extremely quickly. It is either that they
extract resources from the “Third World” or entirely change the course of action of
the business.
ii. The Real Cost of “Stuff”: As explained by Leonard in the video, costs are externalized by
businesses. The monetary cost must be paid by us but the real cost is paid by the
workforce and the countries to which activities are outsourced. According to Leonard,
companies exhaust the natural resources of these countries, pollute their environment
and the workers pay even more by paying for their health insurance. The dilemma, in
this case, is either the business produces with a lower cost and earns a better profit or
provides a better environment and conditions for the workforce. (Leonard, n.d.)
B. It is significant to say that many a little makes a mickle when we talk about exhausting resources
and polluting the environment from an individual viewpoint. From a professional and business
perspective, It is important to realize the following:
i. That resources should be utilized appropriately.
ii. That the workforce is also a stakeholder of the organization and it is the responsibility of
the business to make sure that the working environment is safe and the employees are
being taken care of.
Ethics in Practice
Question: Using one of the companies from the website below, identify a company
that you think best represents GCE #6: [Link]
responsiblecompanies/
Answer:
A.
All Good Products
All Good Products crafts organic skincare products, widely known for its reef-friendly sunscreen.
Started in 2006 by Caroline Duell under the name Elemental Herbs, it is a certified B-Corporation
and 1% for the Planet Member. (All Good Products, n.d.)
This Organisation demonstrates social responsibility in several ways. Some of them are:
i. Using Recyclable and Reusable Materials: The method of storage that All Good
Products uses are metal and glass containers. These can be recycled and even reused.
Products like lip balm, kid tubes and sunscreen sport are made from 50% recycled
plastic. All-in-all, the products made by All Good Products are environmentally friendly.
ii. Environment-Friendly Partners: All Good Products partners itself only with those
suppliers and manufacturers who have high environmental standards. (All Good
Products, n.d.)
iii. Reef-Friendly Campaign: All Good Products run an initiative called the #ReefFriendly
Pledge, under which their community protects the ocean from toxic chemicals.
Philanthropy
Talking about philanthropy, as mentioned before, All Good Products is registered under the 1%
for the Planet initiative under which members contribute 1% of annual sales to the environment.
Carroll’s Pyramid
From the available information online, it can be implied from the aforementioned that All Good
Products is clearly responsible enough philanthropically and ethically. Also, since they are in
business for more than a decade and a half, it is safe to say that they are economically in a
profitable state and hence they are economically responsible as well.
B. It is certainly commendable how All Good Products has been running its business and how
socially responsible they are as an organization. To be specific, this company teaches an
important lesson about protecting the environment and making products that are not
contaminated. These were some of the ethical dilemmas that were mentioned in the previous
question and All Good Products clearly seem to knock the ball out of the park. Furthermore, it
aligns itself only with environmentally responsible entities for partnerships. This shows how
dedicated they are to this cause and it is something that should be replicated not only by
organizations but also by individuals.
Reflection on Ethics
Question: Discuss how this assignment has helped you to identify your
roles and responsibilities as a global citizen in personal and professional life
Answer:
A. This assignment has been an eye-opener for me, especially, the Story of Stuff video. The
perspective of cost externalization was an entirely new way for me to look at things. Getting to
the point, after completing this assignment, I believe that an ethical organization:
i. Should have better working conditions so that the workforce can work safely,
ii. Recognize consumer rights like the right to know and the right to information,
iii. Treat employees, customers and the public fairly,
iv. And should be aware of the depletion of resources and take relevant steps to make sure that
resources are used judiciously.
B. Ethics, according to me, are certain principles that an organization (professional level) or an
individual (personal level) for themselves that guides behaviour by differentiating what is right
and what is wrong.
To be a good global citizen, I feel it is important to:
i. Be aware of the contemporary environmental situation,
ii. Raise voice against unethical organizations and wastage and overutilization of resources,
iii. Not only be self-aware but also spread awareness as much as it is possible,
iv. To work in an organization that is environmental-friendly and ethically responsible,
v. And take necessary steps to make sure that sustainable development is being followed.
According to the changemaker quiz, my dominating trait is being a communicator. I feel there
are a couple of ways by which I can become a better global citizen according to my dominating
trait as mentioned in the quiz. One of these is as follows:
Using Creativity and Expression: Being an artist, I feel I can use my drawing skills to share
knowledge to spread awareness. And in this day and age, social media can clearly become a tool
to take advantage of.
References
All Good Products. (n.d.). All Good Products . Retrieved from [Link]:
[Link]
All Good Products. (n.d.). Commitment | All Good Products. Retrieved from [Link]:
[Link]
Leonard, A. (n.d.). al_footnoted_script.indd. Retrieved from [Link]:
[Link]
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