Business Ethics: BP Deepwater Horizon
Deepwater Horizon drilling rig killed 11 workers and injured 17 others. The rig
continued to gush oil into the Gulf of Mexico until it was capped on July 15,
2010. The well was declared effectively dead by the United States federal
government on September 19, 2010. By this time, almost 5 million barrels of crude
oil leaked into the Gulf. Marine and wildlife habitats were damaged, and
tourism and fishing industries were crippled along the Gulf Coast. Fishing
grounds, national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and beaches across Louisiana,
Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida were threatened by the spill. The economy of
this region was damaged by the spill. Many businesses were forced to close, and
many people were left unemployed. The BP oil spill is considered an example of
why many businesses and organizations need better corporate responsibility
standards.
1. Why is the BP oil spill considered a matter of corporate
social responsibility? .
2. Discuss the BP oil spill in relation to business ethics.
.
3. Which stakeholders were affected by the oil spill? How
were these stakeholders affected? .
4. The natural environment is considered a stakeholder. What
is BP’s responsibility to the environment? .
5. How will this crisis affect the way businesses create
their strategic plans?
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