Business ethics is the study of proper business policies and practices regarding potentially
controversial issues, such as corporate governance, insider trading, bribery, discrimination,
corporate social responsibility and fiduciary responsibilities.
As a case study I am going to be using Ben & Jerry’s as they started their company as a self
declared ethical business as they have many values they continue to stand by and aims they
are currently working on.
Values
Since businesses elaborate their ethical practices through their mission statement and
corporate aims, I will now portray these from Ben and Jerry’s and examine them from an ethical
point of view. Ben and jerry’s mission statement is split into three categories, their product
mission, economic mission and social mission. The product mission is to make, distribute and
sell the finest quality all natural ice cream and euphoric concoctions with a continued
commitment to incorporating wholesome, natural ingredients and promoting business practices
that respect the Earth and the Environment.
Furthermore, their economic mission is to operate the Company on a sustainable financial basis
of profitable growth, increasing value for our stakeholders and expanding opportunities for
development and career growth for our employees.
In addition to this, their social mission is to operate the company in a way that actively
recognizes the central role that business plays in society by initiating innovative ways to improve
the quality of life locally, nationally and internationally.
Aims
Also, Ben & Jerry’s has a goal to provides social justice, including gay rights. This commitment
is grounded in the Company’s core values, which include a deep respect for people inside and
outside their Company and an unshakable belief that all people deserve full and equal civil
rights. They plan to continue to work with relevant nonprofit partners to build public support, add
their voice and celebrate the expansion of marriage equality to new states and countries.
Currently, in the UK we pride ourself to have equal marriage as part of following human rights,
unlike other countries where people would be punished as it is unaccepted.
Similarly, as an environmental issue, they are keen to help reduce climate change following the
agreement the UK signed in 2015 which is the 2015’s Paris Climate Agreement. Despite this,
the UK government has cut support to solar and also the cheapest and most liked form of new