Forum Post: Question: looking for names of unethical companies
Posted 12 years ago on Dec. 14, 2011, 1:40 p.m. EST by kivvin
(1)
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I'm looking for information about American companies (or international) that could be qualified as bad or unethical with some background information why. If possible with links to documents or websites.
http://www.actionforourplanet.com/#/top-10-unethical-companies/4545796858
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/28/the-least-ethical-compani_n_440073.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_corporate_scandals
Practically every large corporation has attained their large following by using some sort of unethical practice(s). This is because profitability very often runs counter to ethics.
I'll throw out a few examples of what I mean
Planned obsolescence: Many companies have superior technologies which work better than their existing product lines and future product lines. However, if they create a product that is extremely durable, efficient, and easily upgradeable they wouldn't be able to sell the next product as readily.
Inbuilt obsolescence: Buying the best quality material for a product, or leasing the best technology is costly. So many companies go with the most profitable quality material or technologies.
Wage garnishment/ layoffs/ price increases: When a company goes bad the consumers or employees are the first to feel the hit. Jobs, benefits, pensions are cut. And whenever possible prices are increased.
Dishonesty/ manipulative advertising: Public relations and advertising are tools used by a company to influence public opinion without laying out a truly objective comparison of the companies policies, products, and services. Media and even some biased forms of 'research' are purchased in this way as well.
Then there is of course lobbying/ money in politics. Corporations are seen as people as long as they have a say in government policies. e.g. Environmental destruction, harmful and dangerous practices are met with very weak financial and legal penalties.
Ultimately, ethical companies are the ones that do everything in their power to raise the standard of living for everyone, even if it means losing profits. e.g. not-for-profit organizations
Most for-profit companies are bound by the monopolistic game of acquisition and must play by the unethical rules in order to survive that game.
I found this on the huffington post website
as the number one of 12 most unethical companies
Monsanto, the Missouri-based agriculture giant, ranked dead last in the Covalence ethical index. The company, which leads the world in the production of genetically-engineered seed, has been subject to myriad criticisms. Among them: the company is accused of frequently and unfairly suing small farmers for patent infringement.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/28/the-least-ethical-compani_n_440073.html?slidenumber=dKmH%2FAm8Rgc%3D&slideshow#slide_image
The others are Philip Morris , Barrick-Mining-Company , Chevron , Covalence , Freeport-Mcmoran , Halliburton , Mediaset , Occidental Petroleum , Ryanair, But I would like to find some information on some other companies, like banks, weapon industry, pharmaceutical industry, insurance companies anyone who is enriching themselves, exploiting others or polluting the planet.
Could you give an example? Just to get the ball rolling and maybe it will spark some ideas?