Description: BP has said repeatedly that it will pay for the disastrous oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. But its actions show that it does not intend to go it alone. Source: NYTimes.com  Date: 07/04/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/05/us/05liability.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: Who do you believe should be held financially responsible for the oil spill?… Read more »
Posts Tagged: Business Ethics and Social Responsibility (p32)
Why Coca-Cola succeeds in Africa
Description: Former CEO Neville Isdell explains that the franchise system makes business owners in Africa feel more invested in the company. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 06/26/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/fortune/2010/06/26/f_gf_coke_africa.fortune/ Questions for discussion: What are the reasons presented that explain Coca-Cola’s success in Africa? Do you agree with the explanation? Are there other reasons that… Read more »
BP CEO testifies on Capital Hill
Description: CNN’s Larry King and his panel discuss BP chief executive officer Tony Hayward’s testimony on Capitol Hill. Source: CNN.com – video report Date: 06/18/2010 Link: http://cnn.com/video/?/video/us/2010/06/18/lkl.bp.hearing.discussion.cnn Questions for discussion: Summarize the main arguments presented by the panel in this discussion about the appropriation of “blame†for the oil spill and its aftermath. What is… Read more »
Nestle to Sail Amazon Rivers to Reach Consumers
Description: Nestle SA will begin sailing a supermarket barge down two Amazon river tributaries tomorrow as it competes with Unilever to reach emerging-market customers cut off from branded goods. Source: Bloomberg.com Date: 06/17/2010 Link: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aBCeN4ZitvSg  Questions for discussion: Do you think this distribution strategy works? Is there anything unethical in bringing consumer goods to… Read more »
Potato Power – Yissum Introduces Potato Batteries for Use in the Developing World
Description: Yissum Research Development Company Ltd., the technology transfer arm of the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, introduces solid organic electric battery based upon treated potatoes. This simple, sustainable, robust device can potentially provide an immediate inexpensive solution to electricity needs in parts of the world lacking electrical infrastructure. The findings were published in the June… Read more »
Plus-Size Revelation: Big Women Have Cash, Too
Description: Corseted into a size 18 white denim dress, wearing heels that made her about 6-foot-2, Gwen DeVoe, a former model and fashion-show producer, stepped onto a runway in Manhattan this week and made a pitch to retailers for the plus-size woman. Source: NYTimes.com  Date: 06/18/2010 Link: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/19/business/19plus.html?ref=business Questions for discussion: What are the… Read more »
A car for tree-huggers
Description: The new Smart fortwo EV doesn’t burn gas but an 85-mile range means frequent recharging. Source: CNNMoney.com – video report Date: 06/11/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/video/news/2010/06/10/n_rw_smart_ev_review.cnnmoney/ Questions for discussion: Why do you think the car will only be available for leasing and not for sale? Why do you think the majority of leases will be offered… Read more »
Business ethics, with a chuckle
Description: The quick videos can be described as “The Office” meets YouTube meets your annual Business Ethics 101 seminar. Source: MSNBC.com Date: 06/11/2010 Link: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37595722/ns/business-small_business/ Questions for discussion: Do you think this approach is better than traditional training efforts? Do you think this sort of training would appeal more to certain target markets rather than… Read more »
Study Says Math Deficiencies Increase Foreclosure Risk
Description: IF you can’t divide 300 by 2, should you qualify for a loan? That is one of the questions raised by a new study led by a Columbia University assistant business professor, Stephan Meier, who found that borrowers with poor math skills were three times more likely than others to go into foreclosure. Source:… Read more »
BP flexes muscle in D.C.
Description: Even before the April 20 explosion on its rig off the Louisiana coast, BP spent millions of dollars lobbying Washington’s power players. BP will now tap that power and influence as it tries to repair its image. Source: CNNMoney.com Date: 06/04/2010 Link: http://money.cnn.com/2010/06/04/news/economy/BP_Washington_power/index.htm Questions for discussion: Do you believe BP has behaved ethically? Do… Read more »
