Scenario # 1 : Wholesome Hamburger Company
Suppose you work for the Wholesome Hamburger Company. You own 100 fast food restaurants in California. There is a big drought and people are being told to use less water.
You know that it takes:
1,800 gallons of water to produce one pound of beef,
12 gallons of water to produce a head of lettuce,
2 gallons for one walnut, and
468 gallons of water to produce a pound of chicken.
You discuss this with the executives in your firm and they tell you that the way water is allocated by government, the company does not incur any additional expense: water will remain very cheap for business. The head of the company is soliciting ideas for its strategic plan for the future.
What is the ethical dilemma or issue?
What are the alternatives or possible courses of action? Identify at least 3 alternatives.
What are your recommendations? In other words, of the several alternatives you identified, what do you think the company should do?
What is your rationale for your recommendations? In other words, why do you recommend this course of action?
Scenario # 2 : Chicken International Group
You are the CEO of a chicken-processing company. The Vice President of marketing informs you that if you label your chicken as "free range" you can charge 20% more and greatly improve profit margins.
You find out that all that needs to be done to legally use the term "free range" is to open the door to the hen house for 5 minutes a day. This provides the chickens with access to the outdoors when, in fact, very few chickens will wander out when the door is open for 5 minutes. Moreover, the term "free range" may be used regardless of space per chicken, number of chickens, or amount of time spent outside.
What is the ethical dilemma or issue?
What are the alternatives or possible courses of action? Identify at least 3 alternatives.
What are your recommendations? In other words, of the several alternatives you identified, what do you think the company should do?
What is your rationale for your recommendations? In other words, why do you recommend this course of action?