In your small business as a U.S.-based coffee distributor, you often source products from other countries where coffee beans are produced. Recently, you received an email from an international labor group alleging that some of the local middlemen you use to purchase coffee beans are unfairly compensating the small bean farmers for their crops. The labor group asks that your company only purchase “fair trade” certified coffee beans so that you have assurance that the farmers with smaller operations will receive fair market value for their crops.

Members of your management staff are concerned that “fair trade” certified beans are often more expensive, which could increase your overall import costs. However, you also must consider your long-standing relationships with the local middlemen in the coffee market, as they are often able to access coffee bean crops that other buyers cannot.

To aid you in your decision-making process, research the “fair trade” certification and its implications.

Task:

• Identify which of the three ethical approaches presented above would be most likely to guide your actions in this situation. Explain your reasoning.
• Explain three considerations that will influence your decision as to what to do next. These could be financial, operational, ethical, or legal.
• Describe how you will explain to the international labor group your next steps. Include detailed supportive reasoning.
• Utilize at least three external sources as part of your research. Sources might include a textbook, a recommended scholarly website or any other academically credible resource found in the university library. Only sources cited within the body of the paper should be included in the reference list.
• The informative essay should include a title page, introduction, main body, conclusion, and APA-formatted reference list.