Coca Cola

The Coca Cola Company

Maria L Delgado

Strayer University

HRM522 Ethics and Advocacy for HR Professionals

Dr. Maria E. Gambuzza

February 19. 2014

Abstract

This paper is designed to discuss the challenge of ethics behavior and dilemma that Coca-Cola Company encountered in the past decade and how the company strives to meet its financial objectives. “Being one is the world’s largest beverage company and recognized as the world’s most valuable brand, with operations in more than 200 countries “(Ferrell, 2011). Also, we will talk about how we identified these issues/dilemmas and different steps or ways to prevent it from arising in the first place. Additional, the analysis of Coca Cola direction in response to this crisis. Finally, some suggestions will be presented for creating and maintaining and ethically-oriented culture.

Coca Cola ethical issues and dilemmas

Coca-Cola faced a series of controversies in regards its practices here in USA and abroad. The Company faced many allegations such as racial discrimination, abuse, conflict of interest

and financial objectives that make Coca Cola not a happy place to work. As a result, investors lost trust in the company. “Warren Buffet, board member and strong supporter of an investor in Coca Cola, resign in 2006 after years of frustration over Coca Cola’s failure to overcome its challenges” (Daniels fund ethics initiative, 2013 ). In Colombia, the company has been associated to the cruel repression of union workers, in some parts of India, the depletion of drinking water due to contamination and the Belgium case related to health complaints connected with their soft drinks. The Company, as a multinational, has confronted labor disagreements in many countries. According to Roberto Goizueta (2013), “Coca Cola use to be an American company with a large international business. Now we are an international company with a sizable American business.” For many years, Coca-Cola’ reputation was dealt with...