The Business Ethics Practice: The Case of East Africa Bottling SC., Addis Ababa Plant

Abstract

Recent unethical business practices occurring in various companies in Ethiopia should be a source of worry to everyone. Many employers fail to put in place adequate health and safety measures in place at their workplace to safeguard not only the employees and management but also clients/customers and other stakeholders who might have some kind of interest in the company or institution. Some are reluctant in their waste emissions causing great damages to the environment and some are known for their unsafe products and abusive working conditions. In such a predicament, there are gaps in ensuring ethical business operations, with most issues remaining unsolved. The responsible Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs and other public regulatory firms have difficulties in controlling the issue. In line with this, the adverse effects of unethical business practices in the interests of employees, communities, government and environment need due attention. This research mainly aimed at assessing the business ethics practice of East Africa Bottling S.C pertinent to Employee Safety and Health, Product Safety and Corporate Social Responsibility. To this end, Country Managers, line managers, line technicians, production crews, laboratory technicians in the departments and units of the factory formed the population of the study. Data was collected through questionnaire, interviews and review of relevant literature from books, articles, website etc. Finally, based on the analysis of data on business ethics practices of East Africa Bottling S.C, conclusions are made and recommendations have also been forwarded based on the observed gaps and problems.