The Dole Company is a major producer of bananas, the majority of which are grown in Latin American countries. Dole made a decision to use a pesticide, DBCP, which was harmful to workers. Could Dole have reached a different decision if Dole followed an ethical decision making framework?

Concept Review:

Having a clear resource that spelled out the correct ethical behaviors for a business would be ideal. Unfortunately, the Dole Food Company did not appear to have a practical method for thinking carefully about business ethics. Study the WH framework for business ethics, focusing especially on the role of values and the classical ethical guidelines that activate this framework.

Case:

Please read BUSINESS Ethics Flashpoint 2.2: Dole Food Company and Its Workers. (In the Smartbook.)

DISCUSSION REQUIREMENTS

ORIGINAL COMMENTS ARE DUE 11:59 PM WEDNESDAY and CLASSMATE REPLIES ARE DUE 11:59 PM THURSDAY.

With respect to Exhibit 2-5: Primary Values and Business Ethics, what are the conflicting values between Dole and its workers? With reference to the alternative meanings in Exhibit 2-5, do Dole and its workers disagree on the meaning on one of the values? Using the WH Framework for Business Ethics, identify how Dole could have made a different decision if Dole followed an ethical guideline. Please remember to perform all steps required in the framework: (1) identify relevant stakeholders and identify how various alternatives impact the relevant stakeholders; and (2) assess an alternative-ethical decision in view of at least one of the guidelines. Note: Please select one of the three ethical guidelines discussed in the Smartbook: 1) The Golden Rule; 2) The Public Disclosure Test; or 3) The Universalization Test.

• In addition to an answer to the question presented, I will look for the following information in your original post:

1. Define value; 2. Apply the WH Framework and make an ethical decision to Dole's problem (producing quality fruit); 3. Define stakeholder; 4. Identify why a stakeholder is relevant and other stakeholder is not relevant; and 5. Define your chosen ethical guideline.