A manufacturing company provides jobs for many people in a small town where employment is not easy to find. The company has stayed in the town even though it could find cheaper workers elsewhere, because workers are loyal to the company due to the jobs it provides. Over the years, the company has developed a reputation in the town for taking care of its employees and being a responsible corporate citizen.

The manufacturing process used by the company produces a by-product that for years has flown into the town river. The by-product has been considered harmless but some people who live near the river have reported illnesses. The by-product does not currently violate any anti-pollution laws.

What are the issues of integrity, ethics and law posed in the case study? What options does the company have, and what should it do and why?

Solution

In this case, there are several issues of integrity, ethics, and law that are posed:

1.Integrity: The company has a reputation for being a responsible corporate citizen and taking care of its employees, but allowing the by-product to flow into the river may call that reputation into question.

2.Ethics: The company has a moral responsibility to protect the health and well-being of the people living near the river, even if the by-product is currently considered harmless.

3.Law: The company may be in compliance with current anti-pollution laws, but laws can change, and the company may face legal repercussions if the by-product is found to be harmful.