McDonald’s and Target dropped their Minnesota-based egg supplier, Sparboe Farms due to their unethical behavior towards animals in multiple facilities. After reading this article I want to ask: Should McDonald’s or Target be held responsible in this scenario?
To answer, we need to look at business ethics and supply chains. In the article, McDonald’s and Target both require their suppliers to treat animals in a humane way; therefore, terminating business with Sparboe. Unethical behavior arises because people have different values. In business, things can go wrong and end up being unethical due to three main reasons:
1) People don’t care about what they are doing
2) People know they are doing something wrong but is under financial, social, legal, or personal pressure
3) People come believe the wrong is right.
Consumers of McDonald’s and other companies that use Sparboe as their supplier fear the safety of the eggs. One can suggest McDonald’s to produce their own eggs. However, this is costly and inefficient. Also, McDonald’s obtain eggs from Sparboe through Cargill Inc. Hence, Sparboe can be said as the supplier’s supplier.
I believe that companies should not be responsible for their supplier’s unethical behaviour. However, they should terminate business with them immediately.
Works Cited
“McDonald’s, Target Drop Egg Supplier : NPR.” NPR : National Public Radio. 19 Nov. 2011. Web. 23 Nov. 2011. <http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=142556273>.
Powerpoint: class 3, intro to business ethics, sept. 15, 2011
Powerpoint: class 15, supply chain operations 2, oct. 27, 2011