Corporate Social Responsibility: Coca Cola

Corporate Social Responsibility: Coca Cola In each and every company, corporate social responsibility is aimed at coming up with business processes that will have an overall positive impact on the society. The society expects that a company should improve the residents lifestyles by offering more job opportunities, good infrastructure, health care, education and some other aspects needed in the society. Companies need to consider the quality of their management processes and how they affect the society (Mallenbaker.net, n.d.). However, not always will the activities of a company affect the society positively. Sometimes the effects of some of the activities of a company may be negative where the operations. For instance the activities may lead to drought in the affected area, water pollution, production of unhealthy products to human bodies and many more. Coca Cola Company has got both positive and negative impact on the society and the need to explore these two sides is of great importance to enhance this understanding. Coke is based in United States and its headquartered in Atlanta. It was incepted in 1886. It is a multi-national company operating in more than 200 countries across the world (Economywatch.com, n.d.). This paper examines the Coca Cola Companys social performance, how it has affected the society both positively and negatively and then draws a balanced conclusion on the companys performance. Main body The Coca Cola Company generated $22 billion in net operating revenues in the year 2004 being the worlds largest beverage company. The company operates in many countries of the world and works with the community in which it is operating (Thecoca-colacompany.com, 2004). According to the companys annual report of the year 2004, it has got a great opportunity for growth in that it makes huge profits per day according to the beverages consumed per day. The companys main agenda is to meet the needs of the customers in terms of beverages through identifying means for connecting consumers together, with their communities and the companys brands. The unit case volume for the company increased tremendously in the year 2004 and several products were launched. The coca cola company engages itself with many activities which are aimed at assisting the residents of a particular company to live a good life and get services which are not offered by the government. The company accomplishes this through the established foundation known as the Coca Cola Foundation which was founded in 1984. The foundation is committed to developing and maintaining vibrant, sustainable communities to make the society a better home for man. Job opportunities are created in places where Coke is established and therefore the local people can afford a daily bread. The foundation ventures into different areas which are always difficult for the local communities people to maneuver. These areas are but not limited to providing clean and enough water to the community, ensuring health standards are observed, enforced community tendency of recycling to reduce the effects of the litter and finally it sees the poor children complete their school without necessarily dropping ou t. All these are good initiatives and programs carried out by the foundation and funded by the Coca Cola Company. With the realization that education is a major aspect to socioeconomic development, the Coca Cola Company has greatly invested greatly in this area to assist the students pursue their dreams. The main aim of the foundation in the community is to reduce the incidences of school drop-outs, enhancement of the reading and promote literacy in the community, grant scholarships and building educational infrastructure. In the United States, this Coca Cola scholarship program is the most respected and recognized which was created in 1986. Since the establishment of the program, more than 4250 scholars have benefited from this program which saw good utilization of the $38 million to fund this program. The Coca Cola Foundation is also charged with the responsibility of ensuring that the health of the residents of a certain community is catered for and improved. The foundation works closely with the health officers in the area and other experts to assist and educate the resident on the health issues concerning diseases like polio, tuberculosis, hepatitis and HIV/AIDS. The foundation has got the so called HIV/AIDS initiative which works to ensure the epidemic is managed and greatly reduced. The foundation is seeking more funding to spread this initiative to some of the African countries with high cases of this killer disease. The Coca Cola Company desire to help the needy is always their mission. During an event of a catastrophe in any area of the world, the foundation ensures they practice relief and recovery mission to ensure lives of people are not lost. The company provides bottled water, vehicles to distribute aid and also offer volunteer services. They offer the aid during and after the calamity has occurred. During the recent Haiti earth quake tragedy, Coca Cola donated $2 million to the red cross to assist in the recovery mission, water and other Coca Cola beverages to reach those who were in need. This program dabbed disaster relief and recovery was installed to help all those who needed critical assistance. The foundation engaged in community initiatives where water programs are put in place to ensure that a community is water sufficient and to balance the water the company uses in its production process. The company is committed to ensuring conservation of natural resources, conservation of the soil, water and climate which are the essentials of life on the surface of the earth. The activities of the company cannot leave a society unhurt in one way or the other in terms of the quality of the products, how it handles the employees and how the activities affect the environment. It is believed that the products of the Coca Cola Company are not so good in the body because of their constituent ingredients. Consumption of Coke products may lead problems like diabetes, obesity, tooth decay, heart disease and many other neurological disorders. Cokes products contain phosphoric acid which leeches calcium from the body and therefore weakening the bones. This has led to the increase in the cases of osteoporosis due to lack of calcium in the body. The dissolved calcium accumulates in the skin, arteries, veins and organs which ultimately gives the kidney a lot of pressure when exercising its functions and then later result in the formation kidney stones (ihealthstudio.com, 2008). Soft drinks from the Coca Cola Company contain a drug called caffeine which proves to be har mful to human health especially among children. Caffeine affects the central nervous system which causes disorders like insomnia, nervousness, anxiety and abnormal heartbeat. The soft drinks more so cause dental decay because they contain a lot of sugar which is the liked by bacteria. As the bacteria feed on the sugar found on the teeth, they give out excretions which react with the enamel of the teeth thus causing tooth decay. The company attracts a lot of criticism from different sections of the world in that it sells only sugared water and nothing else (Rothacher, 2010). Coca Cola has the most aggressive lawyers in the world who ensure the companys rules are adhered to regarding where and how to sell the coca cola products. The company has also been accused of discrimination and a case was filled in 1999 against the company for this offense. The company favored the Americans to the African-American employees in terms job promotions, allowances and recruitment. The company has bee n adversely criticized for the overexploitation and pollution of water in India and draining of large amount of ground water and turning most of the place in this country into virtual desert. The effect was so adverse that the Indian parliament banned the sale of Coke products in the country to reduce wanton destruction of the environment (Rogers, 2004). Even the water sheds that remained were seriously polluted that it was not fit for human consumption. As a show of goodwill to the residents, Coke distributed clean water in tankers to people after tampering with the natural sources of water. Conclusion The Coca-Cola Company has been involved in both positive and negative activities in the society. The initiatives that the Coke company undertake has enabled the people in those areas to lead better lives and afford most of the services that were otherwise just a mirage. The company is working tirelessly to ensure that the lives of communities are improved and their health too. The creation of the Coco cola foundation has made all the programs to come to reality for the most of people where the company is found. Therefore, there is need for the local residents to support what the company is striving to achieve because at the end of the day, they will be the beneficiaries. Without services like education, health care and agriculture the society would lag behind in terms of economic growth. It is with the realization of this idea that the Coca Cola Company has embarked on supporting these areas for better society. Even though the company performs commendable activities in the society, t he effects on the environment, health and human rights are much felt. The products cause health problems and therefore need not be condoned. Shortage of water in India and other parts of the world is as a result of Coke Company activities. There is need for the company to scrutinize these criticisms and act accordingly if at all they have a desire to stay in the market for long.

Quote Journal for House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende Essay

Quote Journal for House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende ? . . . it made no difference if they studied medicine or had the right to vote, because they would not have the strength to do it, but she herself [Nivea] was not brave enough to be among the first to give up the fashion.? (6, Ch 1) The women in this society are dependant on the dominant male figure to handle political and economical duties. This point of view is intended to mimic the older generation of women ad present a foundation for the growth of an enlightened generation. Allende uses this excerpt to present a foundation of structure to the novel by beginning with the extremes of opinion, which are followed in the novel through different generations. Alba for example, become a very outspoken activist by trying to attend the student protests and follow Miguel on his demonstrations, a sharp contrast to the indifference or shallowness found in her great grandmother. ?It was the custom then for women and children not to attend funerals, which were considered a male province.? (34, Ch 1) Allende utilizes this quote to demonstrate a beginning of plot development by showing elements of a patriarchal society and present the past limitations of women as lower class members of this society. This point of view also is seen from a narrator that exists in the future and is reflecting on past customs and while doing so insinuates that this class limitation will go through change and possible elimination during the course of the novel. It begins a structural approach of presenting to the reader a metamorphosis of women?s role in society through time. ?I would never find another woman [Rosa] with her green hair and underwater beauty.? (35, Ch 1) Green is the color the ocean and a symbol of blossoming and awakening while water is pure and innocent. It has a middling quality and mediates between two extremes, or two political standpoints (Socialism and Conservatism). Life ascends from red and blossoms in green, a feminine color of childbearing, as is seen through the many generations of green haired women. Green is a color of hope, strength and longevity, where Clara and Rosa?s hair help represent them as a very natural and bold feminine aspect of the book. Rosas blossom between green leaves and the symbolic name of Rosa sets the organic tone of femininity found within her sibling, Clara, also b... ...e people of his country can characterize him as a poor leader for the electorate of his country. Although he claims to be fighting for the betterment of the nation and its stability, what can he possibly know about its condition if he fails to recognize the struggles and problems of the underclass majority of the population? ?He realized that all he really cared about was losing his granddaughter, because she was his last link to life.? (399, Ch 13) The value he places on his granddaughter at this point in the story reflects that of the scenario found earlier when Ferula was left to take care of his mother on her deathbed. The reversal in character is found in that his once ambitious and powerful carefree spirit is now left at the hands of his one caretaker. This is while his daughter, now ambitious as he was at that time, is take hostage by the rogue government which constructed itself underneath his nose, while he was supporting it, therefore, it can be seen that ironically, his political obsession with conservatism led to his own destruction of well being and power. Works Cited: Allende, Isabel. Trans. Magda Bogin. The House of the Spirits. New York: Bantam, 1986.

A Theory in Crisis Essay

People are naturally selfish, greedy and will always think about themselves especially during difficult times. That is even scientifically proven by Charles Darwin’s Theory of Evolution – Natural Selection, â€Å"Natural selection eliminates inferior species gradually over time. † It is the only way to survive. And yet there are still a few good men who would go out of their comfort zones to bring justice onto the table. Willie Stark had enjoyed his fair share of both the good and the bad. â€Å"Guilty of dishonest practices, as bribery; without integrity; crooked† (Stein, 1975, p. 302). Corruption can be a politician’s worst nightmare or his best friend. Sometimes, you do it against your will. But in the end, you are consumed by it, just like any other power hungry crazed individual, believing that they can make a difference. Willie Stark believed in it too. Willie was just like any ordinary farmer’s son. He grew up in the South and is employed as Mason City’s county treasurer. He wanted to make a difference by giving light into a controversy. He set out a campaign against an alleged county schoolhouse construction contract. He was working for Dolph Pillsbury, the County sheriff, who happened to favor the bid of a certain J. H. Moore over all the others. The fact that J. H. Moore did not have the lowest bid only brought more suspicion as to why he was chosen. Willie fought this, as he was on the side of Jeffers Construction, the one having placed the lowest bid. Eventually, the County sheriff got what he wanted and J. H. Moore won the contract, Willie lost his job. But he stood by his conviction and he was rewarded. Years later, the schoolhouse met a tragic fate due to the low quality construction materials that was used by J. H. Moore. The building collapsed, killing three and injuring several others. I believe this moment was one of the turning points of the story. It shows that when you stood by what you tried to fight for until the very end, the people would know of this and you will gain their sympathy. Hence, he ran for governor as planned by existing political figures. Although he did not win, this became his driving force to study law, and later to run again for the same position. Willie Stark’s character in Robert Penn Warren’s All the King’s Men is that of a governor surrounded by all the people mixed in a perfect concoction to produce the dictionary meaning of political differences powered by blackmail, alliances and corruption. I believe that a person’s morality is gravely affected by circumstances of everyday living. One day you believe in the political system, the next day you probably would not. Maybe you encountered a bully police officer, a person trying to blackmail you, or a pickpocket. A person can be as hard as a rock when he or she stands by his/her moral and ethical principles. But even the strongest rocks are destroyed especially by secrets that are meant to damage your public image and meant to shake the very foundation of your moral beliefs. I believe that Willie Stark was corrupted by the political system. And I would like to point out three reasons why. As I have mentioned, Willie wanted to correct what he thought was wrong with the schoolhouse bid event when he stood up for the Jeffers Construction. Unknown to him, the County sheriff will still be the one to call the shots since he has authority over every single thing that happens. I believe this showed how much Willie was not in favor of set-ups in the political hierarchy, and an honest man would accept losing his job rather than sticking up to the misdoings of his superior. Another circumstance pointing to the righteousness of Willie was when he gave his support to his opponent Sam MacMurfee during his first time to run for governor. He found out the plan when Sadie Burke revealed it to him and to the dismay of all those who worked for his campaign, he announced his support to his rival on his big speech. Lastly, his efforts to build a free-for-all hospital sum up his desire to help the needy. What I see is a person who believes in the morality of things but is just caught up in the immorality and corruption that is inevitable in politics. Right from the start he was good, and he never stopped being good even if he has to do bad to be good. References AllAboutScience. org. (2002). Darwin’s Theory of Evolution – A Theory in Crisis. Retrieved December 22, 2007, from http://darwins-theory-of-evolution. com Stein, J. (Ed. ). (1975). The Random House College Dictionary. New York: Random House, Inc.

Free Essays on Physical Punishment

Physical Punishment Physical punishment has been a problem in hitting their children so they can have discipline or not hitting them because it is not right, so what can parents do and what can they not do? Should the parents hit them to learn discipline, or should they not hit them and figure out another way to make them learn what discipline is? Because many parents do not know or are confused in showing their children how to gain discipline they do not know whether to hit them or not to hit them. Many people think that by hitting their children that they are showing them violence but other people say that if you do the children would understand that they did something wrong and would not repeat it and gain discipline. What can parents do? First of all parents feel that the children are theirs, and they can spank them when they misbehave. There are many factors that lead to physical punishment: parents were to young and not ready for children, parents are going trough a divorce and need to take out their anger on something or someone, or parents do not know another way to punish their children. These children grow up to be aggressive and often abusive towards others. Although parents think this is the only way of educating their children there are many other alternatives. There are other alternatives to punishing the children for their bad behavior. Less severe punishments besides spanking. First, they can take away their television privileges, computer use, and playing outside with their friends. Next, they could ground them for the weekend and cancel plans. Last of all parents could take the time to sit and talk to their children about their bad behavior. Physical punishment may cause a child psychological problems. First, if the physical punishment starts at an early age the child will be used to being physically punished, therefore, his or hers self-esteem may severely negative as he or she grows up. Second, it... Free Essays on Physical Punishment Free Essays on Physical Punishment Physical Punishment Physical punishment has been a problem in hitting their children so they can have discipline or not hitting them because it is not right, so what can parents do and what can they not do? Should the parents hit them to learn discipline, or should they not hit them and figure out another way to make them learn what discipline is? Because many parents do not know or are confused in showing their children how to gain discipline they do not know whether to hit them or not to hit them. Many people think that by hitting their children that they are showing them violence but other people say that if you do the children would understand that they did something wrong and would not repeat it and gain discipline. What can parents do? First of all parents feel that the children are theirs, and they can spank them when they misbehave. There are many factors that lead to physical punishment: parents were to young and not ready for children, parents are going trough a divorce and need to take out their anger on something or someone, or parents do not know another way to punish their children. These children grow up to be aggressive and often abusive towards others. Although parents think this is the only way of educating their children there are many other alternatives. There are other alternatives to punishing the children for their bad behavior. Less severe punishments besides spanking. First, they can take away their television privileges, computer use, and playing outside with their friends. Next, they could ground them for the weekend and cancel plans. Last of all parents could take the time to sit and talk to their children about their bad behavior. Physical punishment may cause a child psychological problems. First, if the physical punishment starts at an early age the child will be used to being physically punished, therefore, his or hers self-esteem may severely negative as he or she grows up. Second, it...

Aggressiveness Brain Success essays

Aggressiveness Brain Success essays Nowadays, the women in Asia are receiving more and more reputations than before. In China the most successful and welcomed TV anchormen are the men and women half to half and the female anchormen have much more chance to take part in some TV series show than their male colleagues; even the national woman soccer team of China, after they acquired the second prize in the World Cup last year, their brilliant glory erased our male soccer player ¡Ã‚ ¯s incompetence. Women, especially the Asian women, are no longer those whom only had to stay at home taking care of her husband and children, making dinners and cleaning the houses to spend her whole life. Now some of them would like to share much more respect from the men rather than make a living depending on them as before. How could women stand up so fast? Why couldn ¡Ã‚ ¯t they realize 100 years earlier? As the article RISE OF THE ASIA WOMEN has mentioned, the women ¡Ã‚ ¯s rising up at present, depends mostly on the development of the new economy, which includes IT, management, and information services. Females who are successful in some fields are those who have received higher education and have much know-how in their work. Females are born the same IQ level with the male, so to make full use of their wisdom is the key for their success. It will be non sense for them to compete the men by strength. They need brain. Many works, however, demands both wisdom when at work, and aggressiveness for violent challenge. So to be aggressive as a man, rather than powerful, does make sense in women ¡Ã‚ ¯s rising up. In tradition, women are obedient to the men and then what did they get, the blame, the beat, and the prejudice? They are not permitted to have their own thoughts and suggestions to offend th e profits of male, and that makes the women incompetent and they never resist until now. But now, things are totally different. Some women dare to toss different opinion t ...

Location, Location, Location Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Location, Location, Location - Essay Example Once the business starts, that money can be spent on other income-increasing investments. The next important advantage is the tax advantages in the form of reduced AMT (Doosan Global Finance, 2008). However, there are disadvantages too. First of all, leasing gives no ownership, and hence, returning the product or upgrading the product as one wishes will not be easy. Even if the thing goes into disuse, it will not be possible to dispose off the same, and till the termination of the contract, one will have to pay according to it. The second point is that when the expenditure over a long period is considered, it will cost more than actually owning the property. However, considering the low initial cost, possibility of open credit sources, chances of relocation and modification, it is wise to have property leased of owned (The top 10 reasons, 2012). The very first advice for the friend is to have the mobile home as office instead of building a permanent structure. This is so because not building a permanent structure at this beginning stage has financial advantages. First of all, the cost is spread over a number of years, and this, undoubtedly, helps in controlling the problem of cash flow. In addition, if the decision is to use the mobile home instead of permanent structure, it is easy to get the best location as there is no extra expenditure involved. Another problem is the issue of undercapitalizing. Here, one has to remember the fact that many businesses face failure because of undercapitalizing the business. This takes place because they spend the money on not so important investment. Doing this, especially when there is uncertainty regarding future cash flow, is disastrous. What is required is the strategy of staging investment. In the first stage, the business should not invest in building a permanent structure. In fact, there are a number of benefits as associated with not constructing a permanent structure, especially in accounting terms. They are: it

The Shawshank Redemption 1994 Movie Review Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Shawshank Redemption 1994 - Movie Review Example We are held prisoners by our surroundings, and unless we are will to think outside the box, we will remain in the box. The movie tells of an incredible story about the desire for freedom. Although this movie may seem like any other prison movie at first, but as you continue watching it, you will discover that it is about hope, and it will captivate your heart. It tells the story of a certain prosperous banker who was sent to prison for killing his wife and her bed mate. He comes back home and finds them in bed, and out of anger, he shoots and kills them both. The judges pronounce him, â€Å"a particularly remorseless and icy man†. This banker named Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is then taken to a prison called Shaw Shank, a prison reserved for the worst of mankind. In this prison, guards would often brutally beat the prisoners especially when they do something wrong, such as attempt an escape. Conflicts and fights among inmates was a common thing as well. Red is the narrator of this story and he begins it quite interestingly by saying, â€Å"I wish I could tell you that Andy fought the good fight, and the Sisters let him be. I wish I could tell you that - but prison is no fairy-tale world. He never said who did it, but we all knew. Things went on like that for a while - prison life consists of routine, and then more routine. Every so often, Andy would show up with fresh bruises. The Sisters kept at him - sometimes he was able to fight 'em off, sometimes not. And that's how it went for Andy - that was his routine. I do believe those first two years were the worst for him, and I also believe that if things had gone on that way, this place would have got the best of him.† As Andy enters the prison, he becomes the target of some of the prisoners, because he is new and looks weak. But this quickly changes as he starts to make some unusual friends. He meets a certain man by the name of Ellis Boyd â€Å"Red† Redding (a character played by Morgan Fre eman). This man who goes by the nickname Red has been sent to prison for life. He has covered a lot of years, and there is no hope for him of ever seeing the outside world. Andy soon discovers that Red likes to smuggle things in for the prisoners, and he exchanges them for whatever he wants. As the friendship between this two amazing men starts to build up, Red starts to realize that Andy is more than what meets the eye. But he doesn’t see much in him, as we can see in his comment, â€Å"I must admit, I didn’t think much of Andy first time I laid eyes on him, looked like a stiff breeze would blow him over. That was my first impression of the man.† In the meantime, Andy helps a certain hardened prisoner who has a tax problem, and in exchange he gets bottles of cold beer, and he distributes them to the other prisoners. This helps him get the soft side of most of the prisoners, and helps reduce some of the bullying from other prisoners. After this, Andy moves from one project to another. First he helps to make the prison library a better place, and he also helps the prisoners that tend to use the library by helping them to study. He continues to take care of the tax returns of the guards, and he continues further by helping the tough warden (Bob Gunton) in some areas he needs help. This proves to be a wise move because, as the years go by, he gets respect and trust from the inmates, guards and also