Utility Ethics

Utility Ethics

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Utility Ethics

Amazon Inc Company Profile

Amazon.com is an e-commerce retail company that has been operational since 1996. Initially, the company sold a wide variety of books that could be bought and delivered online. After a few years of operation, the company was able to diversify. Amazon is now the largest retail-based company that sells their commodities online. In the process of diversification, Amazon was able to include DVDs, BLU-Rays, videos, MP3s, and audio books, among several other items (Cone Communications, 2015). Its main headquarters is in Seattle, Washington, although the company operates worldwide. Some of the subsidiary companies include Amazon Web Services, Good reads, Internet Movie Database, Digital Photography Review, and Alexa Internet. The total revenue has been estimated at 107 billion dollars (for the year 2015). The company today employs about 231,000 employees worldwide at its various locations such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and others.

Corporate Social Responsibility

Over the years, Amazon had received much criticism on the little effort made to maintain a sustainable ecosystem especially in the areas within which it operates. Amazon has been rated as having a successful business model that incorporates social responsibility as a means of making positive contributions to the society. Foremost, the high reputation has stemmed from the ability to provide high-quality products that cater to the consumers (Greene, 2015). They have also been able to enhance convenience, reliability, and good value through innovations. Secondly, the company has received much acclaim for the job satisfaction levels reported by the clients. This has been achieved by enhancing the quality of the workplace environment. Energy efficient buildings, availability of necessities such as foods, as well as the “bring your dog to work” policy were among the highest praised policies adopted by the company.

Thirdly, Amazon has received certification and awards such as the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers, Tools for non-profits, and the LEED Gold Certification by the United States. Some of the environmental responsibilities that Amazon has taken up include using locally sourced woods in the manufacture of goods as well as their utilization of the buildings. Other environmentally sensitive projects of Amazon include utilizing 100 percent natural lighting within their areas of operation in China, thus avoiding consuming thousands of kilowatt-hours of electric power (Cone Communications, 2015). Future goals include a shift in the packaging process, where decision makers intend to avoid over-packaging in a bid to save on material as well as avoid environmental pollution.

Amazon has also taken part in contributing to relief programs both locally and internationally. During the September 11 bombings, a total of 6.9 million dollars was donated. 12.4 million was donated to the relief program of Hurricane Katrina in the year 2004. Amazon Donated 1.8 million to Japan as part of the relief contributions of the Tsunami. Amazon regards writing as an important part of education and community development (Greene, 2015). As such, the company has taken part in providing funding such as grants to the less advantaged in the local and international communities. Amazon offers grants to not for profit groups and authors dedicated to writing and publishing books. Amazon also stands out as one of the companies that make the largest contribution to charity and nonprofit organizations. In November 2013, the company formed the Amazon Smile, a website that transfers 0.5 into charity organizations every time a consumer shops for an item online. The site also allows users to help donate any amount of money to the organizations.

Reference

Cone Communications. (2015). Is Amazon Beginning to Embrace CSR? Retrieved 19 February 2016, from http://www.conecomm.com/amazon-csr

Greene, J. (2015). Amazon taps former U.N. adviser to guide corporate social responsibility. The Seattle Times. Retrieved 19 February 2016, from http://www.seattletimes.com/business/amazon/amazon-taps-former-un-adviser-to-guide-corporate-responsibility/