Total Questions : 1
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Case Study:
A well-established Indian food products company recently developed a new product intended for the international market. After securing all necessary approvals, the company began exporting the product and proudly announced its success. It further assured consumers that the same high-quality and health-beneficial product would soon be made available in the Indian market.
Following due process, the product received approval from the relevant domestic authority and was launched for Indian consumers. Over time, the product gained significant market share and contributed substantially to the company’s profits, both in India and abroad.
However, during a routine inspection, a random sample test revealed that the version of the product sold domestically did not comply with the standards approved by the competent authority. Further investigations uncovered that the company had been selling substandard products in India, including items that had been rejected for export due to quality issues.
This revelation caused public outrage, tarnished the company’s image, and led to a sharp decline in its profitability and consumer trust.
Questions:
1. Identify and analyze the ethical issues present in this case. Discuss the competing values and responsibilities involved.
2. What actions should the competent authority take against the company?
3. What remedial measures can the company adopt to manage the crisis, regain consumer trust, and restore its public reputation?
GS Paper 4 Case Studies