Business Ethics Gumdrop Northern Essay - 1597 Words

In Gumdrop Company, there were various ethical issues identified when it was operating in America. The unethical aspects caused various problems to not only the company, but also other persons using its products. These issues eventually led to the closure of the company in America through corrupt and improper channels; but it opened up new branches in Argentina and Columbia. One of the ethical issues was production of landmines that were banned by the international community. This concern is founded on the fact that landmines were used in wars and the effects they have on the land and residents are too hazardous to be accepted. The landmines pose as severe threats to not only the planters, but also unsuspecting humans and animals. By†¦show more content†¦Contrary to the armors’ requirements, the ones developed by Gumdrop were substandard and they barely protected the wearers. This was irresponsibility and greed; in addition, it was an aspect of disrespect for human life. The company failed in its mandate of ensuring that the soldiers were safe during an attack and practiced indecency by manufacturing substandard products and keeping quite to protect their contract. The management should have come clean about the conditions of the armors and either ask the soldiers to return the armors already in use for exchange or give out new armors that would assure the soldiers of security and safety. The company should have taken responsibility and admit its error to the military and try to re-negotiate the contract terms rather than jeopardizing the lives of the soldiers, who entrusted their lives on the jackets. The company hence broke the trust that was entrusted on it by the soldiers and the citizens by making the soldiers vulnerable. Admitting to failures and taking responsibility not only helps in re-building the trust and credibility of an organization, but also illustrates strong character of responsibility and accountability (Fieser, 2011, p. 1). These characters were however not available in Gumdrop and instead, the major concern was the retention of the contract for increased economic gains. The substandard products