Introduction
Data allocation and privacy play an incredibly important role in people’s lives today. A person’s data, use, and distribution are crucial to their safety and security. Technology and artificial intelligence are often involved in processing and obtaining data. Therefore, companies’ data policies should be subject to rigorous scrutiny to avoid instances of data breaches and subsequent cases of various types of theft or even stalking.
Quality of Information Provided
The overall quality of the provided information could be estimated as a solid five out of ten. The lack of metrics hinders the achievement of a higher quality. In addition, two out of three sources do not have information on technology. None of the given sources provides information regarding the use of artificial intelligence. However, the detailed nature of the given pieces and the information provided in them make up for the blind spots in other areas.
Data and Cybersecurity Policies
The information given on the company’s website regarding the use of customer data is highly detailed. It shows which and how personal data is collected, which third parties are involved in data processing, as well as highly detailed insights into how data collection works, depending on a browser (Privacy Policy para. 27). In addition, it shows that the gathered information could be deleted or updated with instructions attached (Privacy Policy para. 43). However, the web-page does not provide any metrics necessary to gauge the efficiency of the policy.
The Code of Ethics
The Code of Ethics and Business Conduct for Cheesecake Factory is highly detailed, but only in relation to the data privacy of the company and its assets. The text goes to great lengths to explain how to avoid solicitation, conflict of interest, and harming the company’s image. For example, it includes a clause regarding disclosing staff’s personal opinion of the company on the Internet (Code of Ethics and Business Conduct para. 33). It does not provide information regarding technology or artificial intelligence. Furthermore, the code does not include any metrics such as data, statistics, or measures.
Corporate Social Responsibility Report
The report does not provide information regarding data privacy, artificial intelligence, or the use of technology. However, it provides detailed information regarding the improvement in the environment and the ethical sourcing field. For example, it includes an update regarding sustainable sourcing, which contains the status of the progress and statistics reflecting the performance (Corporate Social Responsibility Report 47). Overall, the metrics provided in this piece prevail significantly over their counterparts.
Normative Theory
The primary source of normative theory in the case of Cheesecake Factory is its Code of Ethics and Business Conduct. The two normative theories embedded in the given codes are rights, which relate to deontology, and virtue, which relates to utilitarianism (Ünal, Warren, and Chen 11). The notion of justice is reflected in the section regarding the right to safety, as the firm pledges to be completely intolerant of various forms of harassment, including sexual (Code of Ethics and Business Conduct para. 9).
The idea of virtue is communicated through the section regarding employees’ obligation to cooperate and communicate. This means that the employee should cultivate the virtue of responsibility for the company by rendering an account of potentially harmful behavior to supervisors (Code of Ethics and Business Conduct para. 39). The normative theories included in the code of ethics serve to protect both the company and its employees.
The Purpose of the Policies
The purpose of the provided policies for handling technology and data lies in protecting customer data and the firm. The aim of protecting the firm is evident in how employees’ Internet activity is examined to disclose personal grievances with the company. The workers are not allowed to express their disappointment and dissatisfaction on Internet forums and chat rooms (Code of Ethics and Business Conduct para. 33).
On the other hand, the code does not provide information regarding the protection of the workers’ data and how it is handled. Therefore, it is safe to conclude that protecting employees is not the company’s priority. On the contrary, the customer is provided with abundant information on managing their personal data. In addition, it thoroughly explains how data can be protected, changed, or removed (Privacy Policy para. 21). These examples allow us to conclude that the company prioritizes the safety and security of its customers.
The Insight into the Firm
The provided information gives an insight into the firm’s objectives and constraints. Given the company’s focus on its reputation and protection from solicitation and conflict of interest, it is safe to assume that the main driving force behind it is competition. Competition tends to lock the market players in an iron cage that calls for measures exemplified in the company’s Code of Ethics (Dees and Elias 4). To prevail in the competitive market, the company opts to prevent adverse outcomes by focusing its company policies on workers’ sole commitment to the company (Code of Ethics and Business Conduct para. 10). This shows that the firm is constrained by the need to control the employees’ engagement, both at work and in personal life.
Metrics
Specific metrics need to be provided to support the promises embedded in their codes and policies. For example, the company claims to stand against harassment, which needs to be supported by statistics of successfully resolved harassment cases in the workplace. Furthermore, evidence and data regarding efforts to minimize these cases and support victims are required. Another point is the privacy policy, which states that customers can change or delete their information. To support and highlight this statement, the firm needs to include the number of cases in which this operation has been performed successfully.
Recommendations
The policies of the Cheesecake Factory could be improved significantly by employing a new approach to workers’ private data. It is clear that a certain level of supervision of workers’ Internet activity is present; therefore, it is necessary to define this level in clear and comprehensive terms. In addition, the company’s Code of Ethics does not provide an idea of appropriate retribution for wrongful acts. This muddies the notion of responsibility that the company attempts to instill among the workers with its approach to the normative theory of virtue. In addition, the codes require more statistical information that would create a visual narrative of its policies being efficient and adequate.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Cheesecake Factory’s policies regarding technology, data privacy, and artificial intelligence stand out in their abundance of detail but lack statistical information. The company’s primary focus is on rising above the competition with the help of regulations regarding employee behavior. Furthermore, it distinctly prioritizes the safety and security of customers and the firm itself. Improvements could be brought about with the help of clearly defined retribution policies and openly disclosed metrics regarding harassment and privacy maintenance.
Works Cited
“Privacy Policy.” The Cheesecake Factory. Web.
“Code of Ethics and Business Conduct.” The Cheesecake Factory, 2019. Web.
“Corporate Social Responsibility Report.” 2021. Web.
Dees, J. G., and Elias, J. “Normative Foundations of Business.” Harvard Business School Case, 1997, 1–19.
Ünal, Ali F., Warren, Danielle E., and Chen, Chao C. “The Normative Foundations of Unethical Supervision in Organizations.” Journal of Business Ethics, 107, 2012, pp. 5–19.