Mcdonalds Ethical Behaviors Fall Into

McDonalds

Ethical behaviors fall into several groups, including personal ethics, organizational culture, unrealistic performance goals, leadership, and decision-making processes. When all of those things are taken together and handled properly, it results in an ethical company. McDonalds is both ethical and socially responsible, because the company follows proper procedures for taking care of its employees and its customers. Another example of the social responsibility of McDonalds is how it focuses on ensuring the meat it uses comes from suppliers and farmers that treat the animals humanely (Derdak & Pederson, 2004). Slaughterhouses that mistreat the animals or that are cruel to them are often "dropped" by McDonalds in favor of suppliers that do not engage in those practices.

In addition to being socially responsible, McDonalds is also an ethical organization. The personal ethics of those who work for McDonalds - especially those in management positions - are very important, and McDonalds does not retain those individual who are not serious about their ethical responsibility to the company (Derdak & Pederson, 2004; Love, 1987). The organizational culture is one of ethics, and the company promotes that culture by an attitude of teamwork and a desire for those who see others doing something wrong to report that behavior (Derdak & Pederson, 2004). Performance goals for those who are newly hired are not as difficult as the goals that are set for those who have been working for the company for some time. Even the goals for long-time workers are realistic and attainable, however, because the company wants to give people a chance and see them succeed (Love, 1987).

Throughout the history of the company, the idea of helping young people start at the bottom and work their way up and into a career with the company has been a significant part of McDonald's mission and goal (Derdak & Pederson, 2004). The leadership and decision-making processes in the company are designed to ensure that the company continues to make a profit, but there is more to the issue than just the money being generated (Derdak & Pederson, 2004). McDonalds also tailors its leadership and decision-making processes to what customers want and need. If customers get what they need they will be happy and they will come back. That is a winning situation for everyone involved.

Because McDonalds is concerned about social and ethical responsibilities, it falls under stakeholder (as opposed to stockholder) theory (Derdak & Pederson, 2004). In stakeholder theory, everything is taken into account, as opposed to only considering profits. It is no secret that McDonalds makes a lot of money, but if all the company cared about was money it would not be doing anything that was ethical (except as required by law). It would also not be interested in socially responsible issues such as where its meat comes from and how the animals at the slaughterhouses is uses are treated. Since McDonalds focuses on more than just how much cash is coming in, it cares about those who have a stake in what it is providing to the public. That is why it falls under stakeholder theory.