1. Business Ethics Case Analysis – Home Depot Minh Bui Bonnie Zhang Sumithra Krishnan Sidd Venkatesan

2. Case Overview Originally focus of protestsOriginally focus of protests Steps taken to become environmentally responsibleSteps taken to become environmentally responsible New executive position to handle environmental aspect of businessNew executive position to handle environmental aspect of business

3. Home Depot used as good example to othersHome Depot used as good example to others Process created longevity in supplier lineProcess created longevity in supplier line

4. Question 1 – For position Purpose of green group interaction to build up reputation in view of extra revenue in future.Purpose of green group interaction to build up reputation in view of extra revenue in future. Free publicityFree publicity Green group looking at longer time frame and so could be useful to ensure long term company viability.Green group looking at longer time frame and so could be useful to ensure long term company viability.

5. Question 1 – For position Information retrievalInformation retrieval point out which are sensitive to green groups and fix them rather than useless thingspoint out which are sensitive to green groups and fix them rather than useless things background information to be gained frombackground information to be gained from why being targeted instead of otherswhy being targeted instead of others learn of best practices (in point of view of green groups)learn of best practices (in point of view of green groups)

6. Question 1 – Against position Protests form of being held hostage, with emotions possibly running highProtests form of being held hostage, with emotions possibly running high Information exchange could leave exposed, regardless of process succeedingInformation exchange could leave exposed, regardless of process succeeding

7. Question 2 “Instead of seeking change through government legislation, activists target specific corporations through boycott and protests.”“Instead of seeking change through government legislation, activists target specific corporations through boycott and protests.” Are such activities forAre such activities for (1) environmental issues?(1) environmental issues? (2) labour issues?(2) labour issues? (3) customer issues (such as asbestos- related sickness and death)?(3) customer issues (such as asbestos- related sickness and death)?

8. Corporation-targeted actions vs. Government legislation Economic pressureEconomic pressure Faster time to resultsFaster time to results Global reachGlobal reach But: Persistent results ?But: Persistent results ?

9. Determinants for activist actions Local issue Repeatable issue Longer-term consequences Entire industry Global issue One-off issue Immediate consequences Single company Effectiveness of activist actions

10. Question 3 – How to Anticipate Anticipate ethical issues when: In a sensitive industryIn a sensitive industry What public desiresWhat public desires What possible effects to environmentWhat possible effects to environment How it affects our businessHow it affects our business Increasing public complaintsIncreasing public complaints Issues against competitors, suppliers and customersIssues against competitors, suppliers and customers

11. Question 3 – How to Act Be proactiveBe proactive Set up CSR DepartmentSet up CSR Department Research and benchmarkResearch and benchmark CommunicateCommunicate Monitor and manageMonitor and manage Document and filingDocument and filing