Ethical Decision Making: Food & Nutrition - Research Paper Example

? Ethical Decision Making: Food & Nutrition Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Introduction 3 Theory: Business Ethics 4 Overview of the global food and nutrition sector 6 Issues of Food and nutrition in the United States 8 Laws and legal frameworks in the US 10 Role of Ethics in Food and Nutrition Sector 10 Conclusion 12 Reference 13 Introduction The 21st century is an era of tremendous development and high powered fast lives that are lived by the residents of the planet Earth. The tremendous level of connectivity that is being increasingly developed by the telecom companies around the world, while competing with each other in terms of voice plans and data usage policies, has provided the masses around the world with a highly enhanced power of communication. Also, the fast paced technological developments in the smallest formats, as well as the rise of high bandwidth based internet connectivity all over the world has played a major role in the process of implementing a change based process which is often referred to as globalization. As a direct impact of globalization, the world has become a globalized village where the physical borders of a country, region or geographical location disappear through the highly connected virtual world of internet. As a matter of fact, it can be said that the process of globalization has helped in the dispersion of the internationalization concept in various parts of the globe. As a result of the rise in availability of free knowledge in the virtual world, the consumers all over the world are getting increasingly demanding in nature with regard to their individual needs and desires. This is providing various international companies around the world with significant amount of opportunities to tap the new and emerging markets of the developed as well as the developing economies like that of Brazil, Russia, India and China. The entrance of new international companies in various geographical locations is resulting in a rise in the level of competition that is present in the marketplace of that particular country or region. Talking on this note, it can be said that the companies, in an attempt to attain a sustainable growth rate and develop a competitive edge in the marketplace, focus on raising the levels of profitability of the company. This leads to the increase in demand for human productivity, which has to be fuelled by mind power and concentration. Companies around the world have already realized that the human resources are the most valuable asset to an organization because of their ability to derive logical solutions to the critical issues of business by applying the unique combination of mind and firsthand experience that they possess. As a result, they are focusing on health related programs for their employees’ well being. However, it is important to state that while the corporate concern for employees is an valid concept, the factor of utmost importance and single point focus is to develop a healthy human population as it will help in contributing to a healthy workforce for the country. This will also pave the way for a significant development of the economy as well as the nation. Hence, as a matter of fact, the need for proper food and nutrition is a critical point to maintain stable health of the masses around the world. Theory: Business Ethics The business world, as on today’s date, has become highly competitive. As a result of immense globalization, new markets have emerged, thereby raising the level of competition for various business organizations. At certain times, in an effort to gain a significant competitive edge in comparison to the rivals as well as to gain financial profitability, businesses around the world tend to participate in immoral practices that are harmful for the sustainability of a business in the long run. Herein comes into play the concept of business ethics, which is often explained as the concept which involves the alignment of business towards various small features of human values, like principles personal ethical standards, honesty, individual morality, ability to resist greed and temptation. Talking in an elaborate manner, it can be said that principles, in the particular case of a business organization, builds and develops the foundation, or the framework for organizational policies. The factor of values helps in the process of developing socially applicable norms that can be applied in the context of an organization (Ferrell & et.al, 2013, p. 7). It can be said that by the process of setting up a proper framework of business values and principles which has been designed on the basis of honesty and integrity, the business organization encourages its employees to stick to the laid down business rules of the organization and increasingly helps them to take important business decisions of an organization, while judging their actions from the view points of right and wrong (Crane & Matten, 2007, p. 5). In today’s date, the concept of business ethics is becoming an issue of high importance as more and more cases of corporate greed, mismanagement and scandals are happening in the recent times. It can be said in this connection that mismanagement and extreme abuse of corporate power is arising as the top level management of various kinds of companies are focusing on developing their personal wealth and thereby consolidating their own position in the society. They are focusing more on the development of wealth, for the company as well as themselves, while neglecting the consequences and possible impacts of doing business with negligence towards the grounds of human values and ethical principles. Talking on the same note, it can be said that now the organizations are increasingly waking up and feeling the need related to the development of proper business policies which will abide by and stringently follow the values and principles of conducting business transactions, deals and negotiations in a very ethical manner. Many organizations, all over the world, in an attempt to promote business ethics in the organizations and develop transparent business rules and practices, are focusing on incorporating structures related to corporate governance. Corporate governance in companies around the world is gaining tremendous amount of importance in the recent times, as their presence and structure in the organization plays a major role in the process of fulfilling the social and economic goals and targets of the companies, while performing a crucial role in developing stability and operational efficiency of various kinds of resources. The business world is also willingly accepting and inculcating corporate governance as a part of their entire company agenda as it helps in the alignment of business interests with respect to the organizations as well as other stakeholders of the society (Trickler, 2012, p. 31). Overview of the global food and nutrition sector The food and nutrition sector all over the globe is a highly heterogeneous and overlapping sector. The food sector presents a very diversified and broad view point in terms of statistical data. However, it is of considerable importance to note that the food sector is highly related to the nutritional conditions that are prevalent in the country. Talking in these regards, it can be said that in countries, where there is shortage of food, and the distribution of food by various government and other associated agencies follows a skewed model of distribution with regards to the income level and purchasing power of the masses, the nutrition sector faces a tremendous imbalance. The factor of imbalance in nutritional distribution across the masses can be mainly attributed to the factors of scarce availability of food, as well as prevalence of hunger in various regions of the country where the per capita income is very low. Talking with regard to the nutrition data and statistics that have been collected from various developing and well developed countries around the world by the World Bank around the year 2008, it can be said that a major case of malnourishment exists in the countries belonging to the Sub Saharan Africa as well as South Asia (Worldbank.org, 2012). Year: Worldbank.org, 2012 The data chart taken from the World Bank report reveals that over 20% of the population suffers from issues of undernourishment which mainly happens because of the existence of a large amount of population who have live below the global poverty line limit. Their extremely weak financial condition prevents them from being able to buy food and thereby keeping them from being fulfilled and attaining the needed level of nutrition for the human body. However, in the recent times, various policy based developments are happening with regard to the food and agricultural sector as well as supplying of food to the masses in various parts of the world. As per the report published by the International Food Policy Research Institute in the year 2005, it has been estimated that as per current calculations, in the year 2015, the number of malnourished children will drop to 24% on a global scale (Ifpri.org, 2005). Source: Ifpri.org, 2005 On the other hand, in case of the developed countries, the government has established highly efficient frameworks, to ensure that food is made available to the people and the process follows an even pattern of distribution rather than highly skewed distribution patterns that exist in various other parts of the world. Issues of Food and nutrition in the United States While crisis of food and problems related to malnutrition of the masses exist in various poor as well as developing economies, it can be said that the economy of the United States does not present a scenario of unavailability of food or lack of nutrition. In the United States, the issues related to the food and nutrition sector are very different. The presence of various government agencies, which provide and regulate distribution of food to the masses, helps in taking care of the essential nutrition as is required as per the human health standards (Hughes, 2012). However, it can be said that over the years, various issues of nutrition based diseases have surfaced in the United States. The issues are mostly related to over-nutrition, which arises from the consumption of a particular kind of food in an excess quantity (Nestle, 2007, p. 2-3). Talking on this note, it needs to be mentioned that the data obtained from the US Census Bureau revealed that the amount of nutrition consumption of a US adult on a daily basis has remained steady over the time period of 2000-2006 (US Census Bureau, 2012). The table below provides a detailed breakup of the calorie consumption of a single US individual on a per capita basis. Nutrient Unit 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Food energy Kilocalories 3,900 3,800 3,900 3,900 3,900 3,900 3,900 Carbohydrate Grams 495 490 484 481 481 478 474 Fiber Grams 24 24 24 24 24 24 25 Protein Grams 111 109 110 110 111 109 111 Total fat \1 Grams 169 169 173 181 181 177 178 ..Saturated Grams 52 52 53 55 55 53 54 ..Monounsaturated Grams 75 76 78 79 79 77 77 ..Polyunsaturated Grams 35 35 36 39 38 39 39 Cholesterol Milligrams 410 410 420 420 420 410 420 Vitamin A Micrograms RAE \2 1,090 920 910 910 920 880 940 Carotene Micrograms 690 670 640 660 680 660 690 Vitamin E Milligrams a-TE \3 20 19 20 21 21 21 21 Vitamin C Milligrams 121 111 106 110 109 107 106 Thiamin Milligrams 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 Riboflavin Milligrams 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 Niacin Milligrams 32 32 32 32 32 32 32 Vitamin B 6 Milligrams 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Total Folate Micrograms 706 676 664 672 667 Folate \4 Micrograms DFE \5 902 886 870 880 874 871 874 Vitamin B 12 Micrograms 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 Calcium Milligrams 980 970 960 970 980 940 960 Phosphorus Milligrams 1,720 1,700 1,690 1,710 1,720 1,690 1,700 Magnesium Milligrams 400 390 390 390 400 390 400 Iron Milligrams 23 23 23 23 23 23 23 Zinc Milligrams 15 15 15 15 15 15 16 Copper Milligrams 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Potassium Milligrams 3,780 3,690 3,640 3,690 3,710 3,610 3,620 Sodium \6 Milligrams 1,230 1,200 1,210 1,260 1,270 1,240 1,150 Selenium Micrograms 179 179 180 182 182 178 181 (Source: US Census Bureau, 2012) As in the recent times, it can be said that, as an outcome of over-nutrition, a majority of the US population is either overweight or obese, thereby making them more prone to various kind of chronic ailments (Jaslow, 2013). Laws and legal frameworks in the US It can be said that the food industry in the United States is a very flourishing business. Hence, various food companies all over the world are trying to compete in the markets of the US, in order to attain significant growth in the business and attain a significant market share. However, in an attempt to monitor and supervise the claims made by the various food companies in the US with regard to health benefits and nutritional benefits in their products, various government agencies like the US Food and Drug Association, Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), which is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, are being set up by the government. This government based agencies look after the welfare of the masses and protect the consumers’ rights, with regard to the claims made by the multinational as well as domestic food companies regarding the nutrition and health related claims for their food based products. Role of Ethics in Food and Nutrition Sector It can be said that in the recent times, the agricultural output of the whole world can easily generate an extra of around 17 percent extra calories per person, as compared to the output of the past years. Talking in this regard, it can be said that the increase in agricultural produce is sufficient enough to provide each individual in the planet with an average of daily consumption of around 2700 kilocalories as on today’s date (Worldhunger.org, 2012). However, there are various macro and micro natured causes that have significantly impacted a balanced outcome. From a very simplistic view point, it can be said that people in many parts of the world lack the ability and capacity to grow food or generate a sustainable income to purchase enough amount of food that can contribute towards and significantly help in maintaining a balanced nutrition for them and their families. This gives birth to the existence of hunger among the masses around the world. Highlighting on the point of hunger, it can be said that hunger is the outcome, which happens as a result of the existing imbalance in the macro based frameworks related to national as well as international policies. The inability of the macro level policies of the governments of domestic as well as international stature in securing the access of the common masses to financial as well as public resources necessary to procure food in a dignified and graceful manner, only highlights the aspect of global hunger in a much broader perspective (Right To Food and Nutrition Watch, 2010, p. 10). However, it can be said that the United Nations has focused on taking some active steps to resolve the issues of global hunger as well as to restore balance in the food consumption and nutrition of the masses all over the world. The Committee on World Food Security (CFS), which is a division belonging to the United Nations, has focused on addressing issues related to the implementation of balanced business ethics in organizations that are involved in food distribution processes to masses around the world. The main and most important focus of the organizations comprises of attention to issues related to the development and designing of frameworks that provide global masses with the right to sustainable food. The global organizations are also focusing on maintaining, monitoring and ensuring accountability of the progress for the designed policies (Right To Food and Nutrition Watch, 2012, p. 13-16). Conclusion Talking on a concluding note, it can be said that the project brings into focus the issues related to business ethics in today’s world and the interrelation of business ethics with regard to the development of sustainable policies on the part of major organizations and governments that look forward to providing a balance in food and nutrition distribution to masses around the world. The project provides a glimpse of the present global scenario existing in the food and nutrition sector. It also throws a significant amount of light on factors related to nutrition and food related issues existing in the United States. Finally, the project draws the line relating the importance and need of business ethics in the distribution of food and nutrition all over the world in an even manner. Reference Ferrell & et.al, (2013) Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making & Cases. (Ninth Ed). USA: South Western Crane, A. & Matten, D. (2007) Business Ethics: A European Perspective. (2nd Ed.) New York: Oxford University Press. Worldhugner.org. (2012) 2012 World Hunger and Poverty Facts and Statistics retrieved from: http://www.worldhunger.org/articles/Learn/world%20hunger%20facts%202002.htm Jaslow, R., (2013) Cancers tied to HPV and obesity on the rise in U.S., says report. Retrieved from: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57562527/cancers-tied-to-hpv-and-obesity-on-the-rise-in-u.s-says-report/ US Census Bureau, (2012) The 2012 Statistical Abstract. Retrieved from: http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/cats/health_nutrition/food_consumption_and_nutrition.html Ifpri.org, (2005) THE WORLD FOOD SITUATION AN OVERVIEW. Retrieved from: http://www.ifpri.org/sites/default/files/pubs/pubs/agm05/jvb/jvbagm2005.pdf Nestle, M. (2007) Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health, (Revised and Expanded Edition) England: University of California Press. Hughes, N. (2012). The business of US food aid: how we analysed the data. Retrieved from: http://www.guardian.co.uk/global-development/2012/jul/19/business-us-food-aid-analysed-data Worldbank.org, (2012) Nutrition. Retrieved from: http://datatopics.worldbank.org/hnp/topic/nutrition Trickler, B. (2012) Corporate Governance: Principles, Policies and Practices. UK: Oxford University Press. Icco. (2010) Right To Food and Nutrition Watch. New Zealand Icco. (2012) Right To Food and Nutrition Watch. New Zealand Read More