Immanuel Kant’s Ethical Theory, Essay Example

Introduction

Nutritional Foods, one of the most notable nutritional companies in California offering several fresh non-pasteurized products, is currently facing a distinct issue regarding the integrity of the products that the business releases in the market. Considering that the organization has already lasted for several years in the industry and has gone through several challenges of making a name in the market, it could be understood that the business already has an established reputation that is considered as the most important part of the business’ capacity to serve the public with the product they have created.

For quite some time Nutritional Foods has been serving the public well. Relatively, during those times, the company was able to develop a name that has made a distinct reputation in the market that definitely made it possible for the business to embrace success fully. It was just recently that reports on food poisoning have been released especially pointing out to products that the company has produced. With several retail distributors in the market [several areas around the country], the company needs to make sure that the situation is controlled immediately before any further damages are made.

Facts summary

The food poisoning reports that came in did not completely point out to the company as the one at fault. However, being among the few producers of the products they sell in the market, Nutritional Foods is immediately considered to be among the primary suspected organizations to receive the blame.

The Vice President, John Healey, strongly felt about the need to respond to the matter immediately especially to protect the reputation of the organization. Providing the organization a chance to control the situation as early as possible before the issue even grows into a more complicated matter.

Fred James, the Chief Officer decided to send out managers into the retail distributors in two particular states [where the reports are most rampant] to check out on the situation. As a result to the observation that has been taken into account, it has been noted that at least two of the different reports point out to the specific products that Nutritional Foods produce.

As response to this matter, the board members decided to call out to their retail distributors to get their attention and have them pull out the complete batches of products released by the company into the market during a specific release date. They have also decided to call out to media and have them announce the matter in the most controlled manner possible. When the news broke out, the company phone kept on ringing with several more complaints from other supposed victims of the poisoning, thus making the responsibility of the company increase by the number, by the minute.

After the occurrence of such situations, the administration still wants to know whether or not they have already done what they could do best for the sake of controlling the situation. The query of whether or not the ethical issues have been well dealt with by the organization continues to loom in the heads of the administrators.

Ethical dilemma

According to Kant’s categorical imperative, it is an utmost need for the organization to make sure that it is able to understand its responsibilities and act accordingly upon it. These responsibilities are of course dedicated to the people, the society they are likely supposed to serve with their products. Taking care of the market means taking care of their most valuable assets. When the market’s value for safety and health is being put into the line, it is more than important to give attention to how the company is able to protect its most valuable source of income and make sure that they are able to provide what the market deserves accordingly.

Ethical issue

The question of what the organization should give more value to, their name or their need to retrieve the losses that they may incur in relation to retracting their products from market. Would it beworth all the sacrifice even though the results are not completely conclusive yet? Then again, the application of the concept of Kant’s theory on categorical imperative provides a distinct presentation on how the issue should be resolved as immediate as possible, and should not be taken for granted.

Alternatives

It is essential that the company take on the chance to control the situation through releasing press article that could explain the situation further for the sake of the public’s knowledge of the matter. This shall help the business regain attention from the market that might reestablish their reputation thus making a mark in the public again that could clean their name accordingly.

Recommendation

The losses that the company might actually incur at present due to the retraction of the products from the market could be regained further after the press articles have been released. Relatively, it could be understood that it is through this approach that the attention of the public would be regained by the organization later on.

Future implications for recommendation

The current situation of the business and its connection with the market it served is affected strongly by the emergence of the case. Controlling the matter is necessary especially in the hope of regaining the attention of the public and the appreciation they may have on the producs that the business offers.

Conclusion

Nutritional Foods, being a unique organization, is likely to be given particular criticisms especially that it is aiming to provide one-of-a-kind set of products for the public. Having such a controversial reputation is both advantageous and painful for the development of the reputation of the business in the market. Given the case that has developed, it could be understood that the need to save whatever is left of the company’s reputation is necessary. The ethical responsibilities of the business calls for the need to control the situation accordingly, even when it means retracting the many products that the company has already released in the market. Such move proves how much the organization cares about the market and shall further improve the people’s trust into their operation.

Reference

Immanuel Kant’s Ethical Theory, Rights and Duties. http://www.saylor.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/BUS205-11.3.2-Immanuel-Kants-Ethical-Theory.pdf. (retrieved on September 7, 2014).