Analysis of Greene Gardens

In California spinach industry, an outbreak of E. coli causes the death of one person and the illness of 199 others. After investigation, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announces that GRT Salads is a potential source. Sam Greene, one of the spinach suppliers for GRT Salads, is informed that the samples collected from one of his ranches have tested positive for the strain of E. coli (Baker, and Hanson 104). In order to help Greene deal with the crisis, we analyze objectives of relevant stakeholders: customers’ right to purchase qualified fresh food, employees’ aim to gain stable income, government’s obligation to protect citizens’ health, and media’s duty to report the outcome of this incident. Based on the result, we suggest Greene to make an ethnical decision that suspends spinach’s production.

CUSTOMER

What customers truly pursue is nothing but reliable and high-quality products. If Sam Greene decides to take the responsibility and stop the spinach cultivation, it’s likely that customers may restore their faith in the company. However, if Greene refuses to interrupt the production, customers might resort to aggressive methods; for instance, they may boycott Greene’s agricultural products or even bring lawsuit against the company.

EMPLOYEE

Without a doubt, the ongoing crisis that arouses customers’ suspiciousness of spinach safety has an adverse effect on Greene Gardens. The objective of employees is simply to gain fair payment in exchange for their time and effort. However, the outbreak of E. coli is doomed to affect the operation of the company. Therefore, if the firm decides to suspend the spinach supply, employees are under threat of losing their jobs. In the opposite, if the firm produces spinach continuously, employees can ensure employment at least in the short run.

GOVERNMENT

Maintaining social tranquility is always the priority to the government. During the outbreak of E. coli, the officials (FDA) have devoted to the investigation of the...