Blair L Colbert
PHI 445: Personal and Organizational Ethics
Instructor: Tim Carter
29 Oct 12
For this paper, I will profile two companies; a for profit company and a not for profit company. The for profit company I have chosen is Cigna Health Care, which is one of the nation’s leading health insurance companies. The not for profit company I have chosen is the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals or the ASPCA. I will compare two ethical situations that the companies faced, how the situations were handled, and the outcome from both of these situations. I will also critique the actions of both companies’ decisions and explain where both companies made good and bad decisions.
COMPANY PROFILE (NOT FOR PROFIT)
PROFILE OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR THE PREVENTION OF CRUELTY TO ANIMALS (ASPCA)(Franz, 2005) The not for profit company I have chosen for this assignment is the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. This company was founded in 1866 by Henry Bergh and was the first humane organization founded in the western hemisphere. Today, it is one of the largest humane organizations in the world. Their area of interest is nationwide with a focus to rescue animals from abuses, pass humane laws and share resources with shelters. The mission statement is “to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States.” Some of the activities they participate in include community outreach, animal health services, and anti-cruelty initiatives. The ASPC is privately funded, but also receives donations which are solicited in various ways like television commercials and online advertisements. The core values center around the belief “that animals were entitled to kind and respectful treatment at the hands of human and must be protected under the law.” The ASPCA is headquartered in New York City, and sponsors more than 13,000 shelters and animal control
References: Fieser, J, Moseley, A(2012) Introduction to Business Ethics. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/books/AUPHI445.12.1/sections/front_matter Unknown Author(2012) About the ASPCA. Retrieved from www.aspca.org PETA(2009) A Pit Bull’s Merciful Death Ignites Controversy. Retrieved from http://www.peta.org/b/thepetafiles/archive/2009/11/18/A-Pit-Bulls-Merciful-Death-Ignites-Controversy.aspx Wendt, S(2010) The Story of Oreo, The Pit Bull. Retrieved from http://pitbulllove.gather.com/viewArticle.action?articleId=281474978467190 Unkown Author(2012), Cigna At a Glance. Retrieved from http://www.cigna.com/aboutus/cigna-fact-sheet Acosta, J, Knapp, B(2009, Jul 2) Ex-executive Accuses Insurance Giant of “Purging” Customers. Retrieved from http://articles.cnn.com/2009-07-02/us/insurance.purging_1_cigna-spokesman-chris-curran-potter-insurance-industry?_s=PM:US Associated Press(2007, Dec 21) Health Insurer to be Charged With Teen’s Murder. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/CancerPreventionAndTreatment/story?id=4038257&page=1#.UI8vosXA-So Franz, P(2005, Feb 13) Company Profile Template. Connexions. Retrieved from http://cnx.org/content/m12649/1.1/