SMUnit VII Case Study: Compare and contrast the code of ethics of both Starbuck's and McDonald's

Ethics
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Institution:
Among the core pillars of business sustainability, one aspect stands out, and it is the fact that there must be a solid code of conduct that is followed strictly. Starbucks and McDonalds are some of the leading fast food outfits and their sustainability depends on the code of conduct that they practice, whether towards the partners, employees or the customers.
One of the key codes of conduct at Starbucks is that they allow their employees to voice their concerns. This has been ensured through the formulation of a program that allows the employees to speak up to the management, without the fear of reprimand. The other is the fact that Starbucks promotes equal opportunities during its hiring process. As such, it does not engage in forced labor, by employing under age staff, or any other form of violation that would hamper the employees' health, mental development, safety and even that of their partner. There is also the aspect of respecting the customers regardless of their orientation and differences, which is very crucial in the food industry.
However it has also emerged that Starbucks has been treating the coffee producing countries badly, by paying them poorly for their produce relative to the market prices. The company has also had issues with tax remittance, where they take advantage of the countries that charge less tax. Then there is the issue of the automated droids that serve coffee at the Starbucks making the customer-staff relation very mild and unfulfilling (Starbucks, 2014).
On the other side of the rift at McDonalds, they have the crucial ethic where they ensure that the food ...