REFLECTION 1 Essay Example

Reflection: ‘The Good Company’ and ‘Unleashed in Unsuspecting World’

Reflection: ‘The Good Company’ and ‘Unleashed in Unsuspecting World’

Ethical behavior has shaped the relationship between the members of the society as well as the individuals from different cultures. Ethics play a critical role in creating an enabling environment for interaction and the sharing of diverse socio-economic and political ideologies. This paper reflects on two peer-reviewed journal articles, ‘Unleashed on an Unsuspecting World’ and the ‘The Good Company, Rhetoric or Reality.’

“Unleashed on an Unsuspecting World”: The Asbestos Information Association and Its Role in Perpetuating a National Epidemic’- Markowitz and Rosner

This article examines the role that was played by the Asbestos Information Association in the mid-20th century on passing information about the health risks of asbestos exposure. The article has examined the important factors that shaped the manufacture of asbestos-based products such as roofing materials, tiles, plastics, and paints. Throughout the early and mid-20th century, the mining of asbestos became a widespread industrial activity. Several companies such as the Johns-Manville Mining Company employed a high number of workers to work in the mines (Markowitz & Rosner, 2016). The asbestos was used to manufacture household products for both local and international market. However, the exposure to high levels of asbestos was linked to health concerns. It was found out that consumers and workers who were exposed to a high level of the mineral had a higher chance of contracting lung cancer, asbestosis, and mesothelioma. Although researchers and medical scholars had undertaken research that linked asbestos exposure to various health issues, the asbestos manufacturing companies failed to take precautionary measures.

According to the article, through failing to inform the public about the health risks of asbestos, the industries did not embrace professional ethical conduct expected among business organizations. The Asbestos Information Association, however, adopted measures that were aimed at ensuring that asbestos manufacturing companies observed the standard ethical behavior. One measure that the AIA undertook according to the article was to inform the public about the effects of exposure to high levels of asbestos. The industries realized that the public lacked understanding of the health risks of asbestos hence continued to purchase the products despite the prevalence of the various diseases such as asbestosis. The article has also examined the role of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The regulatory body was fundamental in adopting policies and regulations that ensured the reduction in the health risks among the consumers of asbestos products. For example, OSHA ensured that the standard asbestos amount on the products such as plastics was 12 cubic centimeters or lower. The asbestos mining and processing companies, therefore, were forced to adopt the regulations hence reducing the of diseases such as mesothelioma among the consumers and the workers in the industries. Therefore, the Asbestos Information Association/North America created a sustainable environment for the regulation and consumption of asbestos-based products both in the local and global market.

The Good Company: Rhetoric or Reality? Corporate Social Responsibility and Business Ethics Redux- Epstein, M.

According to the article, the implementation of the corporate social responsibility has brought a significant impact on contemporary business organizations. Social responsibility is one of the ways through which a business can act ethically. Just like in the traditional business set-up, ethical conduct can boost the relationship between the business and the employees, the stakeholders as well as the consumers. Some of the major transformations that have occurred in the business world include globalization, the energy crisis, technological revolution and the social transformations (Epstein, 2007). All these aspects can also have a positive impact on the society if the ethical conduct is observed. A larger percentage of multinational organizations have recognized the need to adopt the corporate social responsibility in their operations as a way of attracting the customers in the global market. The major factors that have influenced the behavior of businesses include; law, affinity regulation, ethical precepts, responsible media and the civil society. The laws that have been passed by the federal government can shape the behavior of business within a particular area.

The advent of globalization has improved multinational operations as businesses compete for the share of the global market. This scenario, therefore, triggers the need for international regulations and laws to avoid monopoly in the global market. Moreover, the laws help industries in the local market to develop through preventing unethical behavior such as the dominance of the market by established global companies. The observation of ethical behavior by responsible media has also brought a great impact on corporate social responsibility. Companies today ensure that the corporate social responsibility programs such as the building of social amenities are communicated through efficient communication channels.

The media is also tasked with responsible reporting of the business activities. For example, in the case that a particular business is producing substandard and harmful products and services, it is the responsibility of the media to inform the public as well as other relevant agencies. Moreover, through embracing effective behavior, the civil society can enhance the practice of social responsibility and ethical behavior in the society.

In summary, ethical behavior is critical to the operations of business organizations. Ethics determine the type of relationship that exists between the business and its stakeholders such as the consumers, the employees, and the local community. For example, multinational companies that observe ethical conduct can improve their relationship with the workers. The two peer-reviewed journal articles have therefore examined the role that ethics can play in a business organization.

References

Epstein, M. (2007). The Good Company: Rhetoric or Reality? Corporate Social Responsibility and Business Ethics Redux. American Business Law Journal, vol. 44, no. 2, pp.207-222

Markowitz, G. & Rosner, D. (2016). “Unleashed on an Unsuspecting World”: The Asbestos Information Association and Its Role in Perpetuating a National Epidemic’. Public Health Then and Now, vol. 106, no. 6, pp.835