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Ethics: The Ford/Firestone Debacle
Case summary
It presents a manufacturing company Ford explorer that manufacturer’s car. The explorer was designed to use the same frame that was used in older vehicles in the assembly line. Tests done before the launch of the car showed that it performed dismally in terms of safety, but the management went ahead to implement and force its launch even after being presented with a variety of options and steps to take to rectify the problem ( ABC, 297 ) . Continuous challenges and complaints led to investigations being launched by the relevant authorities and findings in most of the studies revealed that the problem resulted from a compromised quality in the tires used. Several regions and areas that Ford had sold their products experienced similar challenges relating to safety and the quality of the products that the company offered. It reached a point where they stopped using the explorer tires as most of the studies conducted from both within and without the institution revealed that the problem resulted from the quality of tires from firestone.
Problem analysis
problems that range from the action taken by the leadership of the companies involved, communication challenges as well as ethical and moral challenges. The leadership of the firm is the problem in this case because of the poor decisions that do not conform to business ethics and standards besides raising more questions and concerns relating to social morals ethical values
Data collection and interpretation
Sufficient data is available from the players involved such as Ford, Bridgestone, and partners involved in the trade from many parts of the region including the middle east as well as data from the various studies conducted in the case revealing the percentages and numbers of people affected from the case by actions taken by the leadership and those responsible from the case. The amount of money spends in recalls and compensation makes the business unsustainable.
Critical ethical issues
Despite the leadership getting informed about the challenges, they failed to take adequate steps and actions necessary to prevent the concerns raised on safety. The organization ethical concerns are also questioned regarding the value that they give their clients relating to safety. Bridgestone tried to introduce the ethical and moral concerns that they have through their experience in Ford explorer, but it resulted in vain. The society presented in the case through consumer federation has taken measures and steps to protect and guarantee their members which are the public in most cases.
Ethical frameworks
Utilitarianism principle that allows the highest number of beneficiaries over a service or product made was not considered by the Ford explorer. The leadership had a duty to act and take necessary steps and actions that would address the situation (Brusseau, 1). The employees that went on strike had the right to demand for better working conditions and they had the duty to provide services of high quality to their employers.
Relate the case to the concepts and topics in the books
The case fits into the context from the text book by presenting various ethical decisions that are made that impact on the overall performance of the business
Generating solutions
. Ethical principles should be looked upon to provide guideline for generating a better solution relating to the case that benefits all parties involved.
Possible legal solutions
The consumers and all beneficiary from the products offered by Ford and the related parties such firestone who have resulted into losses of any kind relating to safety and security should take legal actions to be compensated.
The employees who were on strike and should be compensated for the period that they were out of work demanding for better services and terms
possible legal but unethical solution
Divert the Legal costs faced by Ford to firestone and Bridgestone who made the tires for them
Sue the body that authorizes and standardizes products made and sold to the market in the US.
No payment for workers who were on strike and no reengaging back to the company.
Possible ethical solutions
Compensate all people who have incurred losses relating to safety and security concerns that result from the poor quality of products that Ford offers. The owners of the firm must change the leadership and restructure it to suit to business ethics to remain relevant and competitive.
Selecting best solutions
The best solution caters for all parties involved that result into a fair decision that cuts across many parties. The Ford Company should take responsibility and pay all its clients and associates who incurred direct or indirect losses that resulted from the compromised quality of their products. The firm should look for a long term solution that steers it back to success in the industry.
Works cited
ABC News. The Ford/Firestone Debacle. Business and its External Exchanges: Ecology and Consumers. The Ethics of consumer Production and marketing.
Brusseau, James. Business Ethics Workshop, Edition 1. FlatWorldKnowledge2014. Internet Sources http://2012books.lardbucket.org/books/business-ethics/index.html
