Coca Cola Essay

1) Why do you think Coca Cola has had one ethical issue to resolve after another over the last decade or so?

Coca cola failed to make the top ten of fortune’s 500 annual “Americas Most Admired Companies” list for the first time in a decade in the year 2000. It is believed that this was a direct result of the contamination scare in 1999 where 30 Belgian kids had become ill after consuming the CocaCola product. Rather than speaking out on the issue right away, CocaCola took several days to respond. They panicked and spiraled out of control. The company was operating on a high level for a decade but this scandal rocked the foundation to the core. Problems began at the executive level. Leadership was inadequate with morals and values.

2) A news analyst said that Coca Cola could become the next Enron. Do you think this is possible and defend your answer.

Coca Cola could be the next Enron but its not possible since Coca Cola changed its leadership ethics and attempted to resolve its problems. CocaCola has had many difficulties with product safety, racial discrimination, intimidation of union workers and more. With each crisis, Coca Cola has sought out to improve its compliance systems and resolve some of their issues. They determined issues through court battles and private settlements. Enron’s culture was one of greed and had a win-at-all-cost mentality. Enron’s leadership created an atmosphere of invincibility. They implemented a rank-and-yank system that got rid of those who were rated at the bottom percentile. This forced Enron’s employees to engage in unethical practices in order to maintain their standing within the company. CocaCola has gotten on the right track to recover and progress the company for its sake and the consumers sake.

3) What should Coca Cola do to restore its reputation and