Not All Companies Are Viewed As Equal
Instructions: Write a one and a half to two (1½ – 2) page paper in which you:
1. Become an advocate for either the consumer or the industry. Prepare an argument explaining the major reasons why you support either the consumer or the industry.
2. Explain the role capitalism plays in corporate decision making.
3. Discuss if you believe it is possible for a company to cater to both its best interest and that of the consumer conjointly or if one always has to prevail. Justify your response.
4. Use at least two (2) quality references. Note: Wikipedia and similar Websites do not qualify as academic resources.
5. Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
a. Typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
b. Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, your name, your professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
c. Include a reference page. Citations and references must follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.
Solution.
Not all companies are viewed as equal
It is evident in countries that practice free trade, that consumers do not perceive all industries as equal. This phenomenon creates prejudice and unfair judgment against particular sectors. Such perception is unethical because it creates a biased view of one industry against others (Rönnbäck, 2015). The alcoholic beverages industry is exemplary of industries that consumers perceive to be a threat to society because of its product portfolio. Individuals tend to view companies that produce alcoholic beverages as a detriment to society because the latter more often than not impair the judgment of consumers hence contributing to abnormal behavior and misconduct. On the other end of the spectrum, people tend to view companies like Coca-Cola in a positive light because their products do not have negative behavioral influences on consumers. (Labonté, Schrecker, Packer, & Runnels, 2009). From the foregoing, it is clear that most people do not view all companies as equal.
It is unequivocally wrong for people to have a biased perception of different industries within an economy. This perception is unscrupulous and unethical because it affects consumer preferences. (Shaw, 2014). Companies that produce alcoholic beverages are a business like any other. They also acquire the necessary licenses and operate within stipulated laws and regulations. The perception that all companies are not equal has contributed to unfair targeting of some industries, which ultimately translates to massive losses of revenue and market share (Ferrell & Fraedrich, 2015). Additionally, bias towards companies that produce alcoholic beverages has a negative influence on the attraction and retention of talent. Individuals who work in the alcoholic beverages industry are sometimes frowned upon, especially at spiritual gatherings because they are perceived to be hypocritical (Shaw, 2014).
Consumers have the right to choose what they want to purchase, and this endows them the choice to partake in products that are unhealthy. Alcoholic beverage industries openly warn their customers that excessive consumption of alcohol is harmful to their health (Ferrell & Fraedrich, 2015). Moreover, they advise their customers to drink responsibly. Alcohol consumers are therefore fully aware of the detrimental effects of alcohol yet they disregard them and continue drinking. Companies are required to protect their customers, and this is the paramount reason that such warnings are communicated on alcoholic beverages to safeguard the people from harm.
Conclusively, it is unethical for consumers to perceive that all companies are not equal since it leads to undue prejudice and consequently affects some industries and companies adversely. Additionally, all companies should be viewed as being equal because they are legitimate businesses like any other, and they comply with the laws and regulations required for any business. The alcoholic beverages industry should not be targeted unfairly. It should be perceived as any other industry.
References
Ferrell, O. C., & Fraedrich, J. (2015). Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making & Cases. Scarborough, Canada: Nelson Education.
Labonté, R., Schrecker, T., Packer, C., & Runnels, V. (2009). Globalization and Health: pathways, evidence and policy. New York: Routledge.
Rönnbäck, K. (2015). Interest-group Lobbying for Free Trade: An Empirical Case Study of International Trade Policy Formation. The Journal of International Trade & Economic Development, 24(2), 281-293.
Shaw, W. H. (2014). Business Ethics: A Textbook with Cases. Boston: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.