The Coca-Cola Company is one of the oldest companies that are renowned in different parts of the world. The company sells beverage products and can include coke variations, Fanta, Sprite, and mineral water. Coca-Cola has established a strong brand name and reputation, leading to customer loyalty. However, the product sold by the company has come under criticism because it is unhealthy. Additionally, some of the company’s products have been associated with cancer risks. This paper analyzes the Coca-Cola Company by looking at the ethical dilemmas caused by the selling of its products and how the company solves such dilemmas.
Company Product
The main ethical dilemma associated with Coca-Cola’s products is the health risks. The company sells beverages that have high calories and high sugar products. Consumption of such high amounts of sugar has been associated with obesity and diabetes. Additionally, one of the company’s products, mineral water, was found to be packed with a chemical known as bromate that can lead to cancer. The company came under severe criticism as many viewed that the company had placed the lives of millions of people all over the world at risk.
Delegate your assignment to our experts and they will do the rest.
Difference in Perception
Different people have different perceptions of Coca-Cola products. Many people do not observe it as a health risk but take it as a refreshing drink on a hot day. Global consumers and those in the United States find that the product has a good taste. However, there has been an increase in the number of people that have questioned the health implications of taking the company’s products. Many people all over the world are aware of the high sugar and calorie content in the products. However, this has not stopped them from purchasing from the company as Coca-Cola continues to appeal to millions of people all over the world.
Handling Ethical Implications
Coca-Cola responded to the health implications by focusing on business ethics, integrity, and social responsibility. Coca-Cola has taken a social responsibility approach by choosing to educate the public about its products, the health impacts, and how people can realize optimal health through exercising (Greenhalgh, 2019). To maintain strong business integrity, Coca-Cola introduced healthier products. The company advertises Coke Zero as a healthier choice by observing that it has zero sugars and zero calories. The healthier version has made the product appealing to people that may want to control their weight or sugar intake. Coca-Cola undertook business ethics by acknowledging the risks in its mineral water and removing bromate. The company switched to mineral-free and healthy water. The changes and approaches undertaken by the company show its willingness to realize business ethics.
How the Leadership Instills a culture of Ethics
Coca-Cola can instill a culture of ethics by focusing on the positive aspects of the company’s products. In the past, the company embraced the concept of bringing people together and overcoming cultural and social barriers. One initiative was the “Share a Coke” campaign, which was rolled out worldwide as part of the company’s marketing strategy. The aim of the campaign was for customers to share moments of happiness with the friends and family (Vincent & Kolade, 2019). The company can use proper communication with the marketing department to highlight the positive aspects of its products.
In conclusion, Coca-Cola is a beverage company that has experienced multiple ethical issues due to the high-calorie content in its products. The company has strived to handle ethical issues by introducing healthier products. The emergence of Coke Zero and elimination of mineral water containing bromate show the company’s strategies towards business ethics. Additionally, the leadership in the organization can make use of proper communication to instill a culture of ethics.
References
Greenhalgh, S. (2019). Soda industry influence on obesity science and policy in China. Journal of Public Health Policy , 40 (1), 5-16. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41271-018-00158-x
Vincent, E., & Kolade, A. (2019). Persuasive Communication: Semiotic Analysis of “Share-a-coke” Advertising Campaign. World Journal of Innovative Research (WJIR) ISSN , 2454-8236. https://www.wjir.org/download_data/WJIR0702010.pdf
