Ethical Theories of Ethics Engages Systematizing †MyAssignmenthelp.co

Question: Discuss about the Ethical Theories of Ethics Engages Systematizing. Answer: Introduction The following essay is based on the ethical theories such as utilitarianism, egoism and the Kants ethics. The subject of ethics engages systematizing, protecting as well as indicating towards the concepts and the ideas that are right or wrong. Ethics possess 3 sub-branches, the meta ethics, normative ethics as well as the applied ethics. This study highlights the section of normative ethics that focuses on getting more practical thereby attaining the moral standards which control the aspects of what is right and what is wrong (Crane Matten, 2016). Utilitarianism theory falls under the category of normative ethics that refers to the moral approach taken by the enterprises. Ethical egoism is also another normative theory which stresses on the aspect that the promotion done by the enterprises must align with that to moral values and ethics. Kants theory is another instance of normative branch of ethics which states that the right or the wrong doings is independent of the consequences. However, on the other hand, the right and the wrong doings depend on the aspects that to what extent they are able to fulfil their responsibilities. The article that has been selected for this essay is taken from ethical performance, 2016 naming Primark to expand ethical trading team as DFID partnership kicks off. This essay will mainly highlight the above mentioned ethical theories thereby developing an argument on ethical trading through corporate social responsibility of Primark (De George, 2011). Discussion Primark and ethical trading Primark is an Irish retailer that is mainly owned by AB Foods and possesses its headquarters in Dublin. It was funded in 1962 and has its presence in more than 325 global destinations. It mainly caters to its consumers in clothing and apparel segment. It sells products like men and women clothing, children clothes, cosmetics and other accessories and so on. As recorded during 2015, the company exhibited annual revenue of 5347 million. There are around more than 70,000 working lives related to the business. Further the company is also known for its fast fashion trending concept. However according to the article, it is studied that the association has been looking forward to collaborating with DFID (Department for international Development) which is present in UK (Ethicalperformance.com, 2016). The collaboration is aimed to develop the existent working conditions pertaining to the clothing industry workers especially located in developing markets. Primark has also stated that the partnership will usher and amalgamate the presence, business grid as well as the talents and expertise corresponding to both enterprises. Furthermore, the objectives have been such set that it will mainly focus on protecting the health and safety of the workers thereby bringing in national economic improvement which in a way will work towards eradicating the issue of poverty in 5 significant markets of Primark. Nonetheless, the business is witnessed to work along with as many as 700 suppliers, where many of them belong to nations like Bangladesh, India, Burma, Ethiopia as well as Pakistan. The company has initiated training concerning the areas of gender inequality in the clothing factories as well as aimed for training nurses (Lindgreen Swaen, 2010). However, the collaboration is also known to hi ghlight the areas concerning the working conditions that the female workers have to persevere. Therefore it can be noted that Primark has always been working on its trade ethics thereby linking the issue with that to corporate social responsibility (Groves LaRocca, 2011). Corporate social responsibility and Primark The term corporate social responsibility refers to the responsibilities corresponding to the business enterprise which it possesses towards the stakeholders involved. CSR is mainly addressed by the associations so that they are able to conduct fair business through the implementation of ethical trading thereby dealing with the requirements of the stakeholders fairly. Primark is definitely no exception to this case. It is already known that the company possess an international supply chain system with an ever rising retail base thus believing in the approach that businesses must be conducted with ethics and responsibly (McGee, 2010). Nonetheless, the business enterprise also believes that through the implementation of this approach, it will initiate change that might be a force for good. However, the organization has been providing bread to as many as 700,000 working lives and therefore considers it as a responsibility to safeguard their working rights and security. Moreover, the business enterprise does not possess any entities or any factories that manufacture the products it sell, however, possesses a strong conviction that it is legally and ethically responsible towards its consumers as well as the shareholders. Thus Primark came up with the HER project pertaining to Bangladesh thus looking forward to inculcate positive changes corresponding to the lives of the workforces employed under the suppliers. Moreover, after the Rana Plaza incident, the company has been traced to become more active while evaluated through the lens of CSR. This is because the Rana Plaza incident that took place during 2013 witnessed t he death of several thousands of workers in the Rana Plaza building of Bangladesh (Griseri Seppala, 2010). There were also workers that worked for the suppliers of Primark and thus in this scenario, the company was vehemently criticized. Primark was witnessed to spend almost more than 10 million as compensation towards the families of the workers of Rana Plaza. Primark CSR activities and utilitarianism The above mentioned evidences suggest that the business enterprise has been putting incessant and conscious effort in order to promote the harmony, good health, safety and security of its workers through the application of several projects that might come under the banner of CSR activities. Nonetheless, according to utilitarianism theory, it is stated that any action must be considered right if it succeeds in promoting happiness as well as wrong while it produces just the opposite impact. However, the aspect of happiness does not singly imply to the happiness of the doer but also includes the other beings that are affected by thus happiness. In this case, the doer can be taken as Primark while the other beings might be considered as the different stakeholders including the suppliers, workers as well as the consumers (Brenkert, 2010). Primarks CSR and ethical egoism The aspect of ethical egoism highlights the factor that a business entity acts in such a manner that is good for their own interest. However, if the CSR activity of the company is viewed in this light, then it can be derived that it is for its own future growth and development, the company has invested in the social causes and social responsibilities. It is in fact to earn its branding and promote itself in the global market thereby highlighting its ethical behaviour thus linking it with the CSR factor of the company; Primark might have strategized the approaches (Caroll Buchholtz, 2014). Conclusion Kants theory of ethics is absolutely non-consequential in nature which states that there are some sorts of actions that must never be committed while pertaining to the conditions while the actions might render more happiness compared to the alternative chosen. For instance, a political murder might appear apt while bringing in greater joy in murdering a tyrant but is strictly not committed and is against the law. Therefore the evaluation of the action whether it is right or wrong in this theory is independent of the consequences. Hence, in case of Primark this theory cannot be validated as the business behaviour of the enterprise is consequential where the company is answerable to its shareholders and the global society at large (Suliman et al., 2016). References Ethicalperformance.com. (2016).Ethical Performance | News article: Primark to expand ethical trading team as DFID partnership kicks off. 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