McEthics in Europe and Asia

McEthics in europium and Asia should McDonalds extend its response to ethical criticism in Europe? Introduction The McEthics case describes how Mc Donalds, the fast forage manufacturings market leader, faces charges concerning growing health problems in Europe and Asia. 1) Set out the chief(prenominal) criticisms that have been leveled at Mc Donalds in Europe. To what extent are these criticisms probable to be replicated in Asia? What differences can be predicted? There are four main areas of critique that have been leveled at Mc Donalds in Europe.First, the products are give tongue to to be fat and unhealthy, which fosters health problems, especially obesity and diabetes. Secondly, the labor conditions are heavily criticized. Mc Donalds has been acc apply of paying too little wages and being strongly antipathetic to unions. Harsh criticism also arose concerning the companies advertising. These accusations are based on the belief that Mc Donalds exploits children and uses fals e advertisement of its diet as nutritious. The last tier of criticism is the firms culpable responsibility for animal cruelty.Additionally, in France a whole wave of an anti-American sentiment aggravates the negative image of Mc Donalds. In Asia the main point of criticism that is replicated is health issues. The fat foods and emerging fast food culture is especially dangerous to childrens health. In Europe traditions of protests and rebellions may help commonwealth change and the treedom ot speech. Moreover, governments nave a great interest in a healthy population because straitsing an expensive welfare and health care system.From our point of stance these factors have led to a strong resistance against Mc Donalds which would never emerge in Asia in such an extent. ) Describe and evaluate the tactics used by McDonalds in responding to their critics in Europe? Will these work to the same degree in Asia? According to the case, Mc Donalds quickly reacted to criticism in Europe an d started various campaigns in order to improve its image. For instance, they developed a healthier menu, introducing salads and fruit packages or launched sport initiatives and awareness campaigns.By contrast, in Asia Mc Donalds is reacting very slowly, non answering to the peoples concern. One possible explanation for Mc Donalds actions in Europe could be that European governments started taxing the fast food industriousness. In the meantime, Asian governments bet to show now interest in such measures. This observation is also a strong indicator that Mc Donalds campaigns in Europe are not truly altruistic. It rather seems that Mc Donalds is merely after profit and stakeholders satisfaction rather than providing healthy food. ) Should Mc Donalds offer healthy alternatives to the same extent in all the countries in which it operates, or Just those where it has been criticized in the past, or is it expecting shape up regulation? What if customers overseas do not want healthy optio ns? Mc Donalds should offer healthy alternatives in every country as ong as customers accept and buy them. If customers do not want healthy options, Mc Donalds should offer former(a) alternatives such like sport programs or simple information packages. Scientific research clearly proofs that fast food, consumed on a regular basis, is extremely unhealthy.Mc Donalds could be said to have an ethical responsibility to educate its customers about fast food and healthy alternatives. 4) How could Mc Donalds seek to avoid further criticism in the future? Can the company realistically present itself as an ethical corporation? Only if Mc Donalds operated as truly altruistic company, benefitting the community, could they avoid further criticism. As of now, Mc Donalds is only known to be vastly successful in the economic perspective of the triple bottom line. Mc Donalds is also pull to social and environmental perspectives.The Ronald McDonald House Charities for example provide healthcare etc. to children in need. Furthermore Mc Donalds 2009 Corporate Responsibility Report clearly states how Mc Donalds tackles the environmental issues and provides examples of Mc Donalds sustainable supply chain. However this is not what comes to mind when we think about this fast food chain. The solution to Mc Donalds problem is already in place. The catch is however that no integrity knows about the corporations environmental and social efforts.Through proper marketing strategies Mc Donalds could earn a much punter reputation with very little effort. 5) How sustainable is the fast food industry from the point of the triple bottom line? The triple bottom line combines the 3 factors of environmental, economic and social sustainability. The economic sustainability in the fast food sector has been proven in the past by Mc Donalds balance sheets. Concerning the environmental angle, one can argue that there is room for mprovement. For instance in Austria Mc Donalds is starting to use local products and has sorted rubbish for several years.There are programs in place to aid Farmers become more sustainable, bringing Mc Donalds supply chain to a high standard of environmental responsibili Concerning social sustainability, the tast t industry is lacking vision. They are providing healthcare to people in need but why not tackle the cause of these childrens health problems? If the fast food industry could find a successful shift to truly healthy fast food, social sustainability could prove to be a contributing factor to the fast food industries profits.