The Main Concern of the Organization and Ethical Standards - Essay Example

?INTERNATIONAL MANAGEMENT ETHICS AND VALUES of Introduction 1. Background: type of organization and size Johnson and Johnson is one of the most comprehensive and widely based producers of health care products and related services for the final user. The company also trades in medical gadgets, pharmaceutical devices and diagnostic apparel. The company has over 250 subsidiaries and employs about 118,000 employees in 60 countries who are absorbed in research and development, production and marketing of a wide range of health care products. The company has a big supply chain globally which runs networks for the company. This comprises the 120 plant facilities, about 300 centers for distribution and over 600 foreign manufacturers (Johnson and Johnson, 2012, p. 3). The company is managed in three major business divisions which include: medical devises and diagnostics, consumer and pharmaceutical segments. The following report will provide the company’s corporate ethical programs and how they have been used to achieve the objectives of the company. 1.2. Sources of information 1.2.1. My Own Experience of the Organization My own experience with the company especially through my curiosity to secure an attachment with the company has given me so much light in terms of what the company does. I have interacted with the company through various blogs, their websites and other employees who work with the company. The company’s has established various alliances and partnerships which play a vital role in delivery of its services and sustaining its performance. Their efforts are put into enhancing world health, enhancing access to HIV/AIDS medications and that the organization is linked with various governments globally towards different foundations in dealing with some of the life threatening diseases such as the tropical illness which have been neglected (Charles, 2000:p. 89). There are other global non-governmental organizations which have teamed up with the company in support of the major United Nations Millennium Development Goals with an aim of improving the lives of children and women. 1.2.2. Other Sources that Have Been Used In Preparing The Report Other sources that have been used in preparing this report include the company’s websites as well as the global initiative and sustainability report of 2011. These sources give fine details of the various ways Johnson and Johnson has strived to achieve its objectives, the various successes by the company and the recognition the company has achieved in its efforts of ensuring universal health for the minority and disadvantaged groups. Moreover, the report draws a lot of reference from various media reports and news over various channels in regard to the efforts being made by the company globally. In addition, the world health organization has numerous accreditations on the company which shades light on the company’s activities (Feltus & Petit, 2009, p. 3). 1.3. Standard to use in evaluating ethics program 1.3.1. Details of Standard In evaluating the extent to which the company has met established ethical standards in their programs:various standards are used. The company’s ability to commit to the principles of corporate governance and other external commitments are assessed and compared to other companies such as Johnson Controls (Michael & Judy, 1997:p. 57). The management dimension or approach, sustainability and principle issues are then assessed to determine the degree to which an organization meets the different quality and safety of the products as well as the product’s general contribution to the public in terms of economic return and social performance. The processes and the strategies used by the company in dealing with various ethical issues relating to the work place are also analyzed to provide a clear overview of the company’s impact on the internal and external environments. Johnson and Johnson has a special program, which it utilizes in ensuring that the standards are followed up to date and in ensuring that all the objectives within the various departments in business are met. The main concern is to fulfill the entire required standards in the business. 1.3.2. Explanation of Why the Standard is Appropriate for this Organization This standard is important because it covers a wide range of factors which can be used by the stakeholders in determining the efficiency of the company in general. The different aspects under the standard can be measurable in accordance with their magnitude and impact. It is also noteworthy that the standard is the same for all different types of firms or organizations whether profitable or non-profitable. 2. Details of the Program 2.1. Code The ethical program runs on different codes which must be met by the different stakeholders in the company. All members of staff are directed to abide by the laws and principles of the nations where the business is located. The policies within the company provide basic guidelines on the various ways to act in connection to the business values in addition to the regulations and laws in the nations where the firm operates globally. Some of the policies comprise the company’s philosophy, principles of business conduct, code of conduct and ethics within the business to be observed by the board of directors and the executive members (Judith, 2002:p. 31). The health care compliance in different nations and the privacy, Code of conduct in procurement and confidentiality code must also be observed. The company has the accountability to cater for the world in preserving the nature, its beauty, resources and the future. It operates on some codes relating to environmental safety which include:the code of environmental health and safety, policy on acquisition of forest products and the desire to have an environmental friendly energy. The firm strives to comply with the regulations and laws aimed at reducing the negative environmental impact that might jeopardize the future of the planet earth. 2.2. Other Elements 2.2.1. Training Johnson and Johnson provide a variety of training in ensuring its ethical programs is a success. Some of the training includes:training in Anti-Corruption where the employees are informed on the varieties of briberies which consist of indecent contributions and donations which are part of the fundamental aspects of the health care business honesty guide. The company has a perception that any item of value that is given to the health care staff or officials in the government to lure them into a decision of purchasing, irrespective of the dollar value fits the description of a bribe. According to the policies of Johnson and Johnson, every employee requires an anti-corruption training given the looming compliance risk to the firm and assigns considerable focus on the requirement of training to ascertain compliance. There are two courses that are normally recommended by the company’s administration in the current year which include “HCBI for Johnson and Johnson staff and understanding the U.S FCPA” (Johnson and Johnson, 2012:p. 43). The training puts more weight on the United States and intercontinental anticorruption and anti-bribery laws and regulations and defines how to recognize the healthcare professionals and governmental firms engaging in corruption activities (Johnson and Johnson, 2012, p. 41). It entails all elements of the healthcare Business Integrity guide inclusive of the contributions from charitable organizations, third party distributors, donations and other types of interactions across the border all of which are categorized as activities risky to the firm. Another training undertaken by Johnson and Johnson and its affluent firms is the on-job environmental, health and safety training. This comprises the wide-ranging internationally available training and growth at the leadership level, organizational level, individual level and the team level (Hemingway, 2005:p. 237). A majority of the environmental health and safety training is given or administered, monitored and recorded by the affluent firms, which hinders flow of information at the enterprise level of the business. 2.2.2. Support Johnson and Johnson company provides numerous support programs aimed at improving its service delivery to the entire public. For instance, the company has a considerate and fair health care policy which helps in improving health care for all. Its innovativeness also enhances the standard of care provided to the world’s population in areas it operates. The company offers high quality, inexpensive health care which can be given effectively and safely to the majority of people. Besides, the company is dedicated to providing sustainable environmental safety and growth for the vulnerable places on the planet. Furthermore Johnson and Johnson company provides free market principles of economies which promote people in making rational decisions concerning their health and welfare. In the year 2012, Johnson and Johnson Company formulated a strategic essential support in connection with its vision and direction in prioritizing the state affairs operations. Thus the company sees to it that there is a speedy access to market of their products and systems of health care that enhances patient’s accessibility to inventive and high quality care. In addition, the firm ensures that the regulatory policy is adhered to, in encouraging innovation and fostering sustainability of business development and accessibility to the market. The company has sensitized the public on a variety of health care policies and programs that help in lifting the health status of the public in general (Bhattacharya, Sankar & Daniel, 2011:p. 5). 3. Analysis 3.1. Comparison with the standard Johnson and Johnson has recently been ranked top as the most ethical firm in the world which supports best practices in business ethics. This ranking was done by the Ethisphere. It is based on the firm’s ability to follow its set standards and conform to its policies that has made the company the way it is currently. Johnson controls program of the company was identified as the top ethical and compliance program which has fruitfully translated the policies of ethics into action. Based on the integrity values the company placed more emphasis on the Johnson Controls ethics program which made it obvious that the staffs are required to respect one another with the stipulated dignity and to treat the customers fairly and honestly. The employees are made to comprehend what is expected of them, provided with techniques of how to be fruitful in life and then held responsible for their deeds. Through its effective control standards, the company has been propelled into high growth for the past years with thousands of employees drawn from a variety of diversities with unquestionable integrity in line with the ethics policy (Bansal & Roth, 2000:p. 723). This is because the ethical program has been understood by all employees. Through the Johnson Control program, there is a certification program that requires all the member of staff to review their ethics policy every year and reaffirm their commitment to established policies and standards. The firm also gives an online based ethics training for its staff over the world supported with the in-person coaching where necessary. Reflection on the Comparison It should be considered that ascertaining that ethical progress is a success can sometimes be a challenge when operating a business worldwide. This is especially in places where the codes of conduct differ. The firm’s ethical policy at all times take primacy according to experts in such a scenario (Harris Interactive Press Release, 2005, p. 3). It must be considered that the ethical policies and laws of Johnson and Johnson rank high above local regulations and laws that might be permitted in some other places. The company is in a position to walk away from any business deal if the in the process of securing a deal, the standard is compromised. Johnson controls has at all times created the top choice as far as ethics is concerned. It is not surprising that the company is ranked the highest globally in terms of its dedication to upholding the ethical standards and policies. 4. Conclusion From the report discussed above it is important to conclude that ethical standards in business cannot be achieved where the stakeholders do not have a clear direction of what they want to achieve. The stakeholders are required to adhere to every standard, policy and regulation without compromising its standards. Johnson and Johnson is an example of a firm that has stood by its principles without compromising in the sense that the company has made efforts that employees are well trained in regard to the ethical issues within the business. The entire management is also given clear guidelines to follow in the quest of achieving the best for public. The main concern of the organization is the general public and ways of reducing health related issues. Reference List Bansal, P., Roth, R 2000, "Why Companies Go Green: A model of Ecological Responsiveness", The Academy of Management Journal 43 (4), 717–736. Bhattacharya, C, Sankar Sen and Korschun D 2011, Leveraging Corporate Social Responsibility: the Stakeholder Route to Business and Social value, Cambridge University press, Cambridge: UK. Charles F (Dec 4 2000), Survey - Mastering Management: the value to be found in corporate reputation, Financial Times. Feltus, C., Petit, M 2009, "Building a Responsibility Model Including Accountability, Capability and Commitment", Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Availability, Reliability and Security, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), Fukuoka. Harris Interactive Press release (December 7, 2005), "Johnson & Johnson Ranks No. 1 in National Corporate Reputation Survey for Seventh Consecutive Year". Hemingway, C 2005, "Personal Values as a Catalyst for Corporate Social Entrepreneurship", Journal of Business Ethics 60 (3): 233–249. Johnson and Johnson (2012), 2011 Responsibility Report, Johnson and Johnson. Judith R., (March 23, 2002). “Tylenol made a hero of Johnson and Johnson: The Recall that started them all,” The New York Times. Michael R., & Judy L., (1997), “Risk issues and crisis management", Institute of Public Relations. Read More