Week 5 Discussion Board - Dealing with Disasters

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When the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, millions of barrels of oil spread to coastlines, harming wildlife and displacing thousands of citizens. The explosion of the oil well killed 11 crewmen and created a fireball visible for miles. After the rig sank into the ocean, BP spent months trying to seal the crude oil gusher. The global energy giant spent even more time and resources to undo the damage caused to local businesses and wildlife. This event, now considered the largest offshore oil spill in U.S. history, underscores the importance of creating ethics programs that might prevent crises before they happen. Deepwater Horizon is one example of how things could go very wrong for a company, its employees, as well as the community at large. Monsanto is example of another company who has experienced similar negative issues and lawsuits with "Roundup" and GMO wheat seeds.

Please read Thinking Critically 4.3 Monsanto and the linked articles. Please answer the following questions.

Statement regarding the BP Deepwater Oil Spill by the CEOLinks to an external site.

How Not to Handle PRLinks to an external site.

The Impact of Disasters on Brand SentimentLinks to an external site.

1. In corporate governance, we have seen the government passing laws like Sarbanes-Oxley to prevent financial fraud, how can the use of industry safety standards help prevent these issues causing issues with CSR?
2. Should the government have independent monitors of safety standards? Why or why not?
3. What quality standards would you set, why? How would you insure they were monitored?
4. What role do crisis management and public relations play in responding to a disaster?
5. You have just been appointed as a consultant to make recommendations to a company that is experiencing lawsuits and negative public relations, name three specific recommendations you would make to them under the triple bottom-line approach.

Support your answers with information from this week's learning segments.

Be sure to provide in text citation and source information in APA format including a working URL. Please be reminded that your initial post is due Wednesday night by 11:59pm EST and your responses to classmates are due by Sunday night by 11:59pm EST. Please review the rubric and Discussion Board Expectations and Due Dates and contact me with any questions. Check the grading rubric to be sure you are submitting work for the grade you seek.