Introduction
The research on Local Burger and TerraCycle shows that both of these enterprises follow socially responsible policies and introduce ethical standards as a core of their business. For Local Burger and TerraCycle, sustainable marketing means the system or code of human conduct, with the emphasis on the determination of what is right and wrong. Ethical conduct goes beyond legality and is more comprehensive. If Ethical behavior is legal behavior plus some other element, then it is important that this additional element be identified, if possible.
New approaches
The main approaches introduced by both Local Burger and TerraCycle are ethical standards (stipulated in codes of ethics) and social responsibility policies. Acting as the top-level manager, I can say that ethics at Local Burger and TerraCycle is crucial for the workplace because it determines values and principles of organizational behavior. At first blush, many people will probably agree that this additional element is the collection of moral principles and values of what is right and what is wrong and what is good and what is bad, as determined by group behavior or by some member of the group. Middle managers and employees should understand that for proper business and social conduct, these ethical standards and values must be shared by not only individuals but by the total business community and society as a whole. Without agreement by all parties involved, only legality exists to control the actions of everyone (Bansal, 2001). For every person in Local Burger and TerraCycle, it is important to recognize that ethics is a core of business philosophy and interpersonal relations. Without ethics, the company will fail to meet communication norms and will be unable to establish positive human relations with partners and clients. Business ethics in the workplace is based on Christian moral principles and doctrines (Local Burger Home Page 2009).
Sustainable business practices
In both organizations, leadership is based on sustainable practices based on an environmentally friendly attitude towards the environment and fair treatment of customers. Local Burger and TerraCycle will agree that The Ten Commandments and the Golden Rule are firmly ingrained in this ethic as is the work ethic and faith, love, charity, fairness, and justice (Steger et al 2004). The problem today is that much of this basic truth has either been distorted, corrupted, or applied only under certain circumstances or to the other person. Local Burger and TerraCycle managers and people believe in the Golden Rule and use it as their most important guide to ethical behavior. In simple terms, it mandates people to treat others as they would like to be treated. If you want to be told the truth then you tell the truth; if you want to be treated fairly (Wacker, 2008).
The approaches I would like to introduce in my organization
The approaches I would like to introduce in my organization are sustainable environmental policies based on biblical ethics. Since most countries and religions of the world have some form of belief that comes close to the part of the Golden Rule that relates to treating others as you want them to treat you, then in theory if properly adhered to it can personalize business relations as well as bring fairness into business. The only problem with this is that unless all parties involved also believe in and adhere to the Ten Commandments there may be marked difference in what constitutes fairness, love, charity, and justice between the parties whenever any exchange situation exists. Without a common foundation upon which to build, there are bound to be many differences and many problems (Tomkin, 2007).
Acting as the top-level manager, I can say that acting like the utilitarians and producing the greatest happiness for the greatest number, the situational ethics concept advocates acting in a manner that produces the greatest amount of love, fulfillment, and benevolence. That is, it contends that moral action is the one that produces the greatest amount of Christian love of all the alternatives available. Christian love as used here refers to the Greek “agape” love; agape love is unselfish love, epitomized by Jesus, who made the ultimate sacrifice for all mankind. On the positive side, situational ethics humanize business decisions and force people to accept moral responsibility. In the area of weaknesses, it overemphasizes the concept of “love your fellow man, no matter what,” without clearly spelling out on what basis this love should be founded. The ethical corporation should recognize that stringent enforcement of such a policy must develop at the highest levels and be supported down the organization. Internal enforcement action should be immediate, not simply a reaction to external discovery and prosecution. Closely related to legal compliance are moral and ethical standards. Political contributions, bribery, and other acts of conduct illegal in this country may not be illegal in other parts of the world. They fall into this category, as do areas such as proprietary information, product misrepresentation, disparagement, premature disclosures, acquiring or divulging confidential information, certain gifts and entertainment, and conflicts of interest. As a top-level manager, I can say that developing a code of morals and ethics is not always simple. The frame of reference is large and sometimes complex. In cyberspace, consideration must be given to existing and proposed laws, Judeo-Christian values, family norms, society and industry as a whole, the firm, and the background and desires of owners, managers, and other employees (Pruzan and Zadek 1997).
The challenges of the sustainable approach in marketing and community development are the indifference of some employees and a need to invest heavily in new sustainable projects. Values and virtues are passed along in the business community through mentoring. Personal loyalty and friendship are paramount values here. As the top-level manager, I would say that in a business environment the duty of fidelity will inevitably find itself in conflict with the value of promoting the best qualified. This may be accomplished by classifying each responsibility perceived by management as a corporate duty under the deontological framework of total impact relations. The primary and secondary data prove the hypothesis that unethical behavior and practices in every profession are caused by inadequate codes of ethics and independence of business standards followed by many corporations. For business the benefits from cultivating the recognized virtues and ethical values among its younger members, since the modern business will not long survive as a recognized profession if the public perceives that the pursuit of monetary gain is its only aim (Cannon, 1994; Local Burger Home Page 2009).
What steps do think these organizations must take to continue to grow in the future?
To continue the same policy of sustainable marketing and development, Local Burger and TerraCycle should involve employees in this program and motivate them. On the one hand, technology improves the communication process and allows people in different geographical regions to communicate at a low cost. In organizations, communication technology is a strategic enabler of one of the most basic tasks within organizations, namely information processing. In this case, it has to be viewed as a unique technological tool for organizations). Technology has a great impact on privacy and security issues. For the development of the self, privacy in communication is a fundamental requirement for the creation of true and lasting relationships. Users’ thoughts may one day be simulated, or at least stolen, by advanced computers. Despite these complexities, a recent survey shows that most large and many smaller firms have codes of conduct that are distributed to offices and employees, who periodically must sign a statement that they have read the code.
References
Bansal, P. (2001). Building Competitive Advantage and Managing Risks through Sustainable Development. IVET Business Journal. Nov Dec, pp. 48-52.
Cannon, Tom. (1994). Corporate Responsibility: A Textbook on Business Ethics, Governance, Environment: Roles and Responsibility. London: Pitnam Publishers.
Local Burger Home Page (2009). Web.
Pruzan, Peter, and Simon Zadek. (1997). “Socially Responsible and Accountable Enterprise.” Journal of Human Values 3(1):59-79.
TerraCycle Home Page (2009). Web.
Tomkin, D. (2007). Greener By. U:. 6 (1), pp. 10-11.
Steger, et al. (2004). Sustainable Development and Innovation in the Energy Sector. Springer; 1 edition.Waddock, Sandra A., and Mary Ellen Boyle. 1995. “The Dynamics of Change in Corporate Community Relations.” California Management Review 37(4): 125-140.
Wacker, J. (2008). Technology can Help the Environment. Eweek Strategic Partner. Marc.