Introduction
When aligning yourself with an organization whether is to seek employment or purchase products it is imperative that you understand the company’s core values as to how they treat their employees and customers and if they match your core values as well. Companies have been scrutinized because of unfair practices that include racism, prejudices, biases and sexism as well as deplorable working conditions. They have been portrayed in the media negatively and it has affected them from a financial and social perspective. On the other hand, there are companies that are socially responsible, value and embrace diversity and exemplify the true definition of equality. Johnson & Johnson depicts a corporation committed towards high level of diversity in its customers and employees alike. The following research demonstrates the positive impact that diversity has had on the enterprises business operations and the value for the communities it serves.
Accessibility of diversity-related material
There is a multitude of resources available that portray the extent of diversity in the Johnson & Johnson enterprise. The company website incorporates a lot of information on the various practices that show their commitment to exemplify the best aspect of corporate America. The firm incorporates diversity in by utilizing an individual’s unique attributes as an integral factor of employment. The organization identifies every individual as unique giving them the ability to develop problem solving ideas, solutions & strategies that can help provide better health options for the billions of people around the world. It incorporates individuals of numerous ethnicities, genders and sexual orientation to effectively participate in ensuring a healthier population of the future. Even among its supplier and business partnerships, the organization connects with a diverse group that effectively portray the patients and customers that it serves around the world.
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Johnson & Johnson recognizes that women have been marginalized for quite a long time in the corporate sector. As a result, the organization participates in the nurturing women to become leaders in management and the healthcare industry. It identifies women as integral catalysts of establishing a healthier society. The company provides them with all the tools, resources and opportunities necessary for success at the workplace and the home front. The company has also partnered with MIT as it established the STEM program that nurtures the skills of women in their institution (Hamberlain, 2016). The current CEO Alex Gorsky served in the military and has instituted a policy making hiring veterans a priority. Approximately 5% of the firm’s 45,000 workers in the US are veterans (Stevenson, 2016). In this way, he alleviates the struggles of these individuals who attempt to translate their military skills into the labor population. Gorsky identifies that the training received in military camps has been a primary factor in providing the veterans with skills that can be translated into a business setting.
Usefulness of the Diversity Information
The information on diversity practices of Johnson & Johnson could serve a wide population. Potential employees could weigh their options when making a choice of the most appropriate employer. Unlike other corporations in the healthcare industry, Johnson & Johnson invests heavily on the training and development of its employees. This practice enables the employees to grow their opportunities to become important members of the industry and increases their marketability. The information also serves the customers who identify Johnson & Johnson as a corporation that can serve their various needs. In its vast clientele that includes consumers, medical centers and patients, the organization has immense knowledge of individuals of different backgrounds which helps in serving them better. According to Hewitt (2013), the company demonstrated its commitment to a diverse customer base by reformulation of all its products such that they are safe for use from the year 2015. The company would also take part in addressing issues that are affecting the world at large including HIV that affects large populations of Africa and China (Chattu, 2015).
The vast information on diversity is integral to the suppliers and those who would wish to become partners. In this regard, the organization prides itself as one of a few corporations that have engaged in diverse relations with businesses owned by minority groups, women based, certified small disadvantaged, certified gay/lesbian owned, veterans, disabled veteran owned, and small certified HUB zone business (Johnson and Johnson, 2017). In this case, it is evident that the supplier base of the company is a clear reflection of the diverse consumers and patients who use its products and services. In this regard, the enterprise can achieve its mission of helping these communities live longer, healthier and happier lives. It also apparent that the organization seeks to achieve its first responsibility and that is to its all parties that use their products and services. Through the launch of the Citizenship and Sustainability 2020 Goals, the firm intends to establish innovative practices that ensure good health of the worldwide population. The available information is presented in Johnson & Johnson’s website providing a historic timeline from its inception to the current times (Gurowitz, 2017). It includes the medical breakthroughs, sustainability and annual reports.
Appropriateness of the Photographs and Graphic Material
The photographs and graphic materials presented in these resources portray the commitment of the firm to engage in diverse practices. Majority of the pictures that are presented on the company website reflect on the significant topics of diversity and inclusion. In this case, there are images of individuals of different ethnic groups, genders and ages. These populations present the divers groups that the company serves as employees, consumers and suppliers. A varied number of geographical locations have been presented in these websites portraying the company’s different settings in which the diverse communities can serve. Labs and office facilities include some of the places in which the diverse employees can incorporate their skills as they assist the company in achieving its mission and vision for better health of the worldwide population. Graphic materials reflect the information provided in the content such as an image of an Asian woman when speaking on how women are critical in facilitating a better health standard for the general population. These images are many and are not repeatedly used.
Perspectives
The information presented on Johnson and Johnson’s practices is important towards improved knowledge for all members that it serves. For the potential employee, the business offers numerous opportunities for students, women and in health care technology (Crosby, & Zlevor, 2010). Since the inception of the company, the organization has been advocating for the rights of women and taking significant measures of ensuring they are recognized. Sandi Peterson, Johnson and Johnson Group Worldwide Chairman, was recognized as Fortune’s Most Powerful Woman in 2015. This recognition indicates the company’s intent to ensure women advance in their careers and represent women at the highest level of management in the corporate sector. In this way, a recruit can identify ways they could be of importance to the organization and apply for a position.
For the customer, Johnson and Johnson is a manufacturer of a wide array of health products and services that are available all over the world. The ease of availability of the company products shows its commitment to improving the current health conditions of the global population. In one way or another, the company will present the appropriate ways of bettering the health of the consumer. Baby products are available all over the world for new mothers to provide good health for the child. The company also serves HIV patients in China and Africa. The information shows consumers around the world that Johnson and Johnson is the most appropriate health provider to serve their needs.
The organization is also involved helping the business practices of a diverse community. Johnson and Johnson has partnered with numerous suppliers of small businesses. In this case, the forms a business relationship that share in their philosophy of improving healthcare for the global society. Suppliers are also chosen based on strategically aligned values on social and environmental responsibilities. The information may help businesses that seek multi billion dollars corporations to improve their marketability and potential for growth.
Internal Management Issues
Despite the evident efforts to incorporate diversity with the company’s vision and business operations, there have been a number of issues associated with management. The major divisions of the company have experienced problems with quality. The medical devices and diagnostics, pharmaceutical, and consumer divisions were reprimanded for their activities that were against the regulations of business. The pharmaceutical division was accused of improper marketing of Risperdal, is an antipsychotic drug that the company sold for use by the older adults, children and persons with developmental disabilities. According to the government the drug is used as a means of controlling behavior of this population but due to the health risks involved it is unacceptable hence the $2.2 billion fine imposed on the company. This occurrence indicates that at times even when the intention is good, diversity in business operations could negatively affect its overall outcomes.
In the medical devices and diagnostics division, the company was also experiencing significant quality issues. The hip replacement products along with the accuvue contacts have had to be recalled as they were depicted as faulty and not appropriate for use. The involvement is a diverse practice in the health care sector seems to affect the company’s ability to appropriately serve the community. The multiple products available in the firm’s portfolio have proven to be a hindrance to the diversity efforts as they usually result in significant litigation and settlement of law suits. As per the article by Santoro (2013), the numerous challenges of business issues could heavily affect the image and brand of the company. The firm may have to challenge its credo particularly after 136million bottles of medicine were recalled for issues in quality significantly affecting the consumer healthcare division of the company.
Diversity Awards
The organization engages in a wide range of activities of celebrating people of diverse groups. For instance, the corporation seeks to appreciate women in innovation for all female participants who have attained an undergraduate degree by June 2017. The award is for individuals who are citizens or residents of Rwanda where the week-long program will take place between 5th June and 30th June 2017 in Kigali. The participants should also have a desire to engage in STEM-related careers. Through such activities and its employment policies Johnson and Johnson has received recognition from Diversity Inc., Latina Magazine, Working Mother Magazine, National Association for Female Executives as it continues to demonstrate its inclusion practices in the company.
Conclusion
Johnson and Johnson is a leader in innovation and diversity. They have been influencing healthcare for over 130 years and support women, small business and veterans. The organization has shown its commitment to socially responsible practices and making strides towards improving healthcare services and products. In this regard, the company has maintained a trustworthy and reputable image in the industry. The significant issues related to quality of its products have been depicted as a stumbling block to the reputation of the company.
References
About Johnson and Johnson. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.jnj.com/about-jnj
Chattu, V. K. (2015). Corporate social responsibility in public health: A case-study on HIV/AIDS epidemic by Johnson & Johnson company in Africa. Journal of Natural Science, Biology & Medicine , 6(1), 219-223. doi:10.4103/0976-9668.149193
Citizenship & Sustainability. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.jnj.com/caring/citizenship-sustainability
Crosby, C. L., & Zlevor, G. (2010). Johnson & Johnson's transformational leadership program prepares quality leaders for global challenges. Global Business & Organizational Excellence , 29(2), 19-25. doi:10.1002/joe.20305
Diversity& Inclusion. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.jnj.com/about-jnj/diversity
Empowering Women. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.jnj.com/tag/empowering-women
Haberlin | Office of the Chancellor, K. (2016, January 08). MIT partners with Johnson & Johnson to promote women's STEM education . Retrieved from http://news.mit.edu/2016/mit-johnson-johnson-collaboration-women-stem-education-0108
Herbst-Damm, K. L., & Kulik, J. A. (2005). Volunteer support, marital status, and the survival times of terminally ill patients. Health Psychology , 24, 225–229. doi:10.1037/0278-6133.24.2.225
Hewitt, C. (2013). Under Pressure to Formulate. TCE. The Chemical Engineer (86), 25.
Santoro, M. (2013) It may be time for Johnson & Johnson to challenge its credo...again. Rutgers, Retrieved from http://www.business.rutgers.edu/business-insights/it-may-be-time-johnson-johnson-challenge-its-credoagain
Stevenson, A. (2016, November 10). Johnson & Johnson CEO explains why America should hire more veterans in business. Retrieved from http://www.cnbc.com/2016/11/10/johnson-johnson-ceo-explains-why-america-should-hire-more-veterans-in-business.html
Supplier Diversity. (n.d). Retrieved from https://www.jnj.com/partners/supplier-diversity
Women in Innovation (WiIN): Now Accepting Applications for STEM Leadership Development Program in Africa. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://talk.jnjinnovation.com/article/women-innovation-wiin-now-accepting-applications-stem-leadership-development-program-africa
