ETHICS

Ethics and Business



Ethics and Business

Introduction

Morality, with reference to consumer ethics, refers to the codes of conduct that are followed by members of a consumer society to avoid causing harm to other human beings. Moral decisions made by each consumer, either directly or indirectly, are responsible for protecting the well-being of all members of society. In a business transaction, both the buyer and the seller are expected to act according to their own economic interests; however, a mutual trust in the morality and ethical behaviour of both parties is essential for establishing a long-term and successful business relationship that is beneficial to both parties of the consumer society (Maguad & Krone, 2009, pp. 12-29).

Corporate scandals involving companies such as Enron, Global Crossing, WorldCom, and many others have caused concern and suspicion among consumers about business ethics and corporate social responsibilities. However, business behaviour is not always independent of consumers' own immoral, unethical behaviour and acceptance of dishonesty. A holistic approach of shared responsibility of business and consumers on issues such as Fair Trade and social and environmental sustainability is growing in popularity in the 21st century. Moral and ethical consumers are motivating companies to recreate their policies to be sustainable in three areas—the planet, people, and profit (Robbin & Green, 1989, pp.31-42). Positive buying, such as purchasing energy-saving light bulbs and household appliances, is encouraged by the consumer media, and negative buying, such as driving gas-guzzling vehicles, is positioned as less desirable to consumers.

Discussion

Leather Tanning & Finishing industry

Companies in Leather Tanning & Finishing industry are involved in the following activities: tanning, currying and finishing hides and skins; having others process hides and skins on a contract basis; and dyeing and finishing furs. Firms in this industry generally purchase or obtain raw skins from slaughterhouses and treat and dye them to create finished leather. The primary activities of this industry are Tanning hides and skins; Currying hides and skins; Finishing hides and skins; Dyeing furs and Finishing Furs Finishing furs. The major products and services in this industry are Calf, sheep and other animal leather; contract or commission leather; garment leather; sole and accessories leather; upholstery leather; Upper leather (including patent); and Wet blues (unfinished) (Carruthers, 1992, pp.123-134).

This industry includes companies which slaughter animals and process them into meat products and by-products. In the society, the moral status of animals has become an increasingly important topic, with the morality of hunting, scientific experimentation on animals, and eating meat and using their skins & hides for production of various leather goods particularly are widely discussed.

Contractualism and the Claim That Animal Have No Moral Status

According to some moral theories, animals lack moral status. Animal pain or suffering, as such, does not matter morally unless it has some impact on creatures that do have moral status. A well-known and influential moral theory that has this implication is contractualism. According to contractualism, morality can be understood as a contract between rational creatures that can accept and abide by the terms of the ...