The Main Ethical Considerations In Relation To The Production, Distribution And Marketing Of A Product Such As Tea

Ethics are values relating to human conduct with respect to the rightness and wrongness of certain actions and to the goodness and badness of the motives and ends of such actions . Beyond written laws and regulations, companies are also governed by social codes and rules of professional ethics. In simplicity, it means Ð'ÐŽÐ'§doing the right thing.Ð'ÐŽÐ'Ё Considering tea as a product itself, some of the main ethical considerations in relation to its production, distribution and marketing, are as follows:

PRODUCTION:

The production of tea starts at its plantations. Some important ethical considerations are:

Ð'„X Conversation of wildlife: Growing one crop over a large area leaves it vulnerable to pests and diseases, increasing the need for pesticides and insecticides. These toxins leak into waterways and pose a serious threat to the wildlife in the surroundings. Such use of chemicals should be governed and used in moderation.

Ð'„X Conservation of soil fertility: Great importance should be given to the environment especially the land, since tea plantations are comparatively big, spanning hundreds of acres. The method of plantation and replanting after harvest leaves such lands over-used and eroded of its fertilizers. The use of chemical fertilizers should be regulated and planting methods should be chosen keeping in mind environmental safety.

Ð'„X Conservation of Biodiversity: The plantations within those particular areas may also include an abundance and variety of plant and animal species, their genetic composition, and the natural communities, ecosystems, and landscapes. This environment should be conserved, because it provides a natural balance and harmony in the surroundings.

Ð'„X Social responsibility: This responsibility is towards those people who live in the tea-growing areas. Care should be given to all the tea workers. To provide them with homes, fair wages and medical aid facilities. And to provide employment within the tea-growing communities, helping them learn new skills to develop their income and a way through education, subsidized food and income to change their life for the better.

DISTRIBUTION:

This is the commercial activity of transporting goods from producers to consumers. When dealing with Tea, some of the ethical considerations to keep in my can be:

Ð'„X On-time Delivery: Supplying of tea from the production areas to the retailers/wholesalers should be scheduled properly since late supply-delivery may affect the business and ruin supplier-buyer relationship.

Ð'„X Prepared-ness: It is a responsibility of the suppliers to maximize prepared-ness incase of any emergency. If anything goes wrong during transporting of goods, the supplier will be held responsible thus he must before-hand be prepared to handle emergencies, when need be. He should also state strategies to avoid any such risks or damage to goods.

Ð'„X Discipline: For example: promising shipment when knowing delivery is not possible by the promised date, delivery of goods that are expired/damaged, delivery of goods to wrong buyer, unplanned (un-scheduled)stock distribution, e.t.c. Discipline in the distribution process is not only necessary but itÐ'ÐŽÐ'¦s a responsibility for every organization to ensure.

MARKETING:

Practicing ethics in marketing means deliberately applying standards of fairness, or moral rights and wrongs, to marketing decision making, behavior, and practice in the organization. The following are some ethical consideration when it comes to marketing of a product such as tea:

Ð'„X Good marketing is Ethical marketing : Good marketing is about satisfying and developing a long-term relationship with your customers. Care should be given to customers with fairness in promotion statements, this not only results in profits, but it is the ethical thing to do. Deceiving customers may help the firmÐ'ÐŽÐ'¦s profits in the short-run but it is not the way to build a successful business.

Ð'„X Competitive Strategies: The purpose of marketing is to create a competitive advantage. An organization achieves