The role of ethics in business is unquestionable. However, it is consistently overlooked by many companies. Such is the case with Nestlé Waters Canada, the largest bottled water seller in British Columbia. Nestlé Waters Canada currently engages in unethical behavior since the government does not require the company to measure and report water withdrawal. The company’s well draws water from the same aquifer occupied by 6,000 residents. Basically, the company is selling back water that it obtained for free and is already available to people.
The main goal of “social responsibility” in business ethics is to handle and respect society’s issues. According to Milton Friedman, the social responsibility of business managers is to “maximize profits for shareholders, while following certain social customs.” (Friedman) By making customers pay for what is already at their reach in order to gain profit, Nestlé Waters is acting for its own benefit rather than for society’s benefit. Thus, engaging in deception. I am disappointed with the way the company consciously fails to respect society. If I were the CEO of Nestlé Waters Canada, I would disregard B.C’s lack of groundwater regulation and require the company to measure, report and pay for the millions of liters of waters drawn nevertheless.
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