environmental issues and business ethics

Question 1

what are environmental issues?

Answer 1

concerning the welfare of the environment and how GG Toys is treating it

Question 2

what are ethical issues?

Answer 2

concerning what is morally right, especially with employees

Question 3

what are the three reasons why businesses are concerned with the environment and sustainability?

Answer 3

reputation
legal requirements
efficiency

Question 4

why is a business’ reputation impacted by sustainability?

Answer 4

customers prefer to support businesses that operate in a responsible way towards the environment

Question 5

why are businesses concerned about the environment and sustainability (legal requirements)?

Answer 5

must meet guidelines or face fines

Question 6

why are businesses concerned about the environment and sustainability (efficiency)

Answer 6

reducing running costs and waste will help increase profit and reduce prices

Question 7

how to show a business is eco-friendly to save reputation? 4

Answer 7

publish information about their environment policy
reduce carbon footprint by sourcing sustainable materials
gain certification as proof they are eco-friendly
include environmental aims in mission statement

Question 8

how to show a business is ecofriendly to meet legal requirements? 2

Answer 8

obtain all the necessary certificates and licenses

ensure they meet all regulations

Question 9

how can a business be more efficient and eco-friendly? 3

Answer 9

reduce wastage
access grants for sustainable development
reduce water use, fuel use etc to reduce the cost of taxes and charges

Question 10

how much of the toy market do plastic toys have?

Answer 10

90%

Question 11

how many sales were made in the USA in the toy market last year?

Answer 11

$20.86 billion

Question 12

what are the two environmental issues concerning GG Toys?

Answer 12

moving manufacturing to China

using plastic to make dolls

Question 13

why is moving manufacturing to China an environmental issue?

Answer 13

extra transport of products from China to UK = more CO2 emmissions

Question 14

why is using plastic to make dolls an environmental issue?

Answer 14

plastic is bad for the environment and isn’t often recycled

Question 15

how to solve the problem of moving manufacturing to China? 2

Answer 15

ensure there are reductions in CO2 emmissions in other business areas
ensure transport is efficient (1 big trip rather than many small ones)

Question 16

how to solve the problem of using plastic to make dolls? 3

Answer 16

look for alternative sustainable raw materials
use recycled plastic
use sustainable wood for wooden toys

Question 17

what are the 4 main ethical issues in a business?

Answer 17

redundancies
functioning in a developing country
bullying/favouritism (discrimination)
low quality/faulty goods

Question 18

why are there ethical issues with functioning in a developing country?

Answer 18

risk of child labour, bad working conditions, low pay etc

Question 19

what to remember about GG Toys and ethical issues

Answer 19

at present, there is no evidence they are acting unethically, these are hypothetical

Question 20

what is the main ethical issue GG Toys could be at risk of and why?

Answer 20

redundancies

moving jobs overseas in an area where people were already suffering

Question 21

solution to the main ethical issue to do with GG Toys? 3

Answer 21

redundancy payments
finding other employment opportunities - warehouse
policies to protect overseas employees

Question 22

what is a social benefits/costs table?

Answer 22

shows the impact of the warehouse on the local society

Question 23

what are the 4 main social benefits of the warehouse?

Answer 23

creates more jobs
more money (wages) to spend - more sales for local businesses
strengthens economy
GG Toys must pay more tax

Question 24

where will the warehouse create more jobs? 2

Answer 24

factory & delivery

Question 25

what are the two areas where GG toys will have to pay more tax?

Answer 25

business rates on property

corporation tax on profit

Question 26

what are the 2 main social costs of the warehouse?

Answer 26

pollution
taking a warehouse and operating with capital intensive methods could stop a labour intensive business opening, which would offer more jobs

Question 27

what are the 4 ways in which the warehouse will pollute Bowton?

Answer 27

traffic congestion
noise of production
noise of transport
transport (CO2 gas)