Skip to main content
Log in

Ethics of Du Pont's CFC Strategy 1975–1995

  • Published:
Journal of Business Ethics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The ethics of Du Pont's CFC strategy from 1975 to 1995 are analyzed using a Potter's Box framework. This approach includes an examination of relevant facts, prioritization of stakeholder loyalties, selection of a mode of ethical reasoning, and a world view. Du Pont's approach to ethical reasoning reflects changing facts and changing interpretation of the facts, a focus on shareholders as the primary and most important stakeholder, and ends-based reasoning, which views creating shareholder value as the primary end. An alternative approach is proposed, based on analysis of Du Pont's and stakeholders' needs.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Brodeur, P.: 1986, ‘Annals of Chemistry’, New Yorker Magazine (9 June 1986), 70–87.

  • Council on Economic Priorities.: 1994, Du Pont; Report on the Company's Environmental Policies and Practices (The Council on Economic Priorities).

  • Drake, F.: 1995, ‘Stratospheric Ozone Depletion - An Overview of the Scientific Debate’, Progress in Physical Geography 19(1), 1–17.

    Google Scholar 

  • Du Pont.: 1992, Environmental Annual Report.

  • Du Pont.: 1990, 1990 Annual Report.

  • Du Pont.: 1991, 1991 Annual Report.

  • Du Pont.: 1992, 1992 Annual Report.

  • Du Pont.: 1993, 1993 Annual Report.

  • Du Pont.: 1994, 1994 Annual Report.

  • Du Pont.: 1994, Safety, Health and Environmental Progress Report.

  • Friedman, M.: 1989, The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase its Profits (Harvard Business School Publishing, Boston, MA), Case Number 1–371–106.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayman, G.: 1995, ‘Why the Environment Matters’, British Journal of Clinical Practice S79, 2–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kline, Dr. J. M.: 1991, Doing Business in South Africa: Seeking Ethical Parameters for Business and Government Responsibilities (Carnegie Council on Ethics and International Affairs).

  • Mathews, J. T.: 1991, ‘Protecting the Ozone Layer: New Directions in Diplomacy’, Preserving the Global Environment: The Challenge of Shared Leadership (World Resources Institute).

  • Parrish, M.: 1994, ‘GM Signs On To Environmental Code of Conduct; Policy: Proponents of the CERES Principles Praise The Pact, but Others are Suspicious of The Auto Maker's Motives’, Los Angeles Times (February 4, 1994).

  • Potter, R.: 1969, War and Moral Discourse ( John Knox Press), 23–25.

  • Reinhardt, F.: 1994, Du Pont Freon Products Division (A) (Harvard Business School Publishing, Boston, MA), Case Number 9–389–111.

    Google Scholar 

  • Service, R.: 1995, ‘Uncovering Threats to the Ozone Layer Brings Rewards (1995 Nobel Prize in chemistry)’, Science 270(5235), 381–383.

    Google Scholar 

  • United Nations.: 1987, Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, Montreal, 16 September, 1987.

  • United Nations.: 1985, Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer, Vienna, March 22, 1985.

  • United States. Congress. House. Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Subcommittee on Natural Resources, Agriculture Research, and Environment.: 1990, CFC reduction - technology transfer to the developing world: Hearing before the Subcommittee on Natural Resources, Agriculture Research, and Environment and the Subcommittee on International Scientific Cooperation of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, U.S. House of Representatives, One Hundred First Congress, second session, July 11, 1990, Washington DC,: U.S. G.P.O. Government Document Number Y4.Sci2:101/149.

    Google Scholar 

  • Willums, J. and U. Golike: 1992, From Ideas to Action, Business and Sustainable Development, The Greening of Enterprise 1992 (International Chamber of Commerce).

Download references

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Smith, B. Ethics of Du Pont's CFC Strategy 1975–1995. Journal of Business Ethics 17, 557–568 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005789810145

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005789810145

Keywords

Navigation