Understanding the Work Environment at Amazon: Values, Ethics, Public Policy, and Inequalities

This report analyses the sociological issues arising in Amazon and how the company is responding to these issues. It discusses the values, ethical practices, public policy, and Amazon's approach to address inequalities. The report draws insights from various theories such as Modernity, Trade Union theory, etc.

UNDERSTANDING THE
WORK ENVIRONMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................2
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................2
Organisation’s main purpose and goals.......................................................................................2
Values and ethical practices.........................................................................................................3
Public Policy and Legislation .....................................................................................................4
Amazon’s approach to address inequalities.................................................................................5
Evidence.......................................................................................................................................7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................7
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9
1

INTRODUCTION
Initiating the start- up Amazon in 1994 with the idea of selling books online, Jeff Bezos, has
today created a multibillion dollar company which operates in almost every industry having
earned the name, “The Everything Store” (Warrier and et.al., 2021). The global recognition that
company has gained as one of the Big Five IT companies, and regular awards it is winning,
indicates the excellent growth chart showed by company.
Broadly, organizations can be categorised into statutory and non- statutory bodies. Statutory
organizations are the ones that are formed legally and non- statutory are the ones which are not
funded by government and are run by public or individuals. Freedom of operation is one of the
major benefits if statutory organisations. For instance, NHS being a statutory body enjoys these
benefits. Similarly, non- statutory body also has numerous benefits such as variety of insurances,
a particular vision plan etc. For example, taxi services in UK constitute a part of non- statutory
body.
The chosen organisation Amazon is a private corporation that is run by some selected
individuals with Jeff Bezos as its founder. Amazon works with the overall objective of becoming
most customer- centric company of the earth by focusing on their long term growth strategy
(Taylor, 2018). Amazon functions with hierarchical organisation structure having multiple stages
and layers in their functioning.
The main aim behind this report will be to analyse the sociological issues arising in the
company and to also identify how Amazon is responding to these issues. Further, report will also
discuss two different forms i.e. aspects of social identity that are associated with Amazon and
further, how they are being addressed. In the completion of entire report, various theories such as
Modernity, Trade Union theory etc. will also be incorporated into the research drawing and
presenting relevant insights.
MAIN BODY
Organisation’s main purpose and goals
Amazon works with the mission to serve all of its customers by the method of online as
well as offline i.e. physical stores with adequate focus on price charged, convenience fees and
simplifying the selection process (Breuer and Szillat, 2019). Further, their goal to become highly
customer centric company in the world facilitating customers to attain or occupy anything they
want.
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The ideology that Jeff Bezos has created emphasises on the importance of Day 1 i.e. day
one is presented as the core driver i.e. everything major is to be done on Day 1 only because day
2 always gives lower yielding or brings irrelevance and decline.
Entire system and working of Amazon is based on the fact that organisation needs to adopt
and integrate the changes along with the changing trends and preferences of the consumers in the
environment (Tongkachok and et.al., 2021). This is in compliance with the Modernity Theory
which states that the society and its people should regularly change and evolves with the changes
required by the society at that particular time. This theory emphasizes the need to discard certain
traditional values and aspects with time in order to grasp and inculcate modern thoughts and
ideas which are necessary to improve the overall living standard and pattern of the society (Fitzi,
2018).
The goal to become customer centric and to cater to every demand or requirement of the
customer can be achieved only when Amazon knows how to monitor every change and integrate
that in the products and services offered by them. Lack of compliance with the modernity theory
idea can lead to redundancy of the company (Chouliaraki and Fairclough, 2022). Amazon treats
customers as their god and does not stick to same practices for a longer time period. The decision
making is very quick in the company and they don’t believe in giving next best alternative to the
customer.
Values and ethical practices
There are certain pre- defined principles which are strictly complied by Amazon strictly.
Their main emphasis is on developing products and services that satisfy the need of the
customers rather than competing with its competitors in a better manner. There is a special focus
on innovation and invention by the company and its research and development department is
super active in observing and tapping the latest modifications.
The people, workers and the communities have been focused on conducting their
operations with highest level of dignity and respect for their work (Arnett, Goldfinch and Chinta,
2018). While Amazon believes its employees to be their responsibility, they also believe that
customers should be the highest priority of employees.
The products and services that Amazon sells includes a diverse portfolio of products, and
the operations of Amazon are spread worldwide which are manufactured and sold worldwide.
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Amazon also hires and maintains a huge quantum of third party sellers who deal directly with the
customers (Singh, and Misra, 2021). Working with greatest degree of honesty and increasing the
customer loyalty is one of the key values at Amazon.
The ethical practices at Amazon includes provision of healthy, clean and safe working
places which are extremely necessary for the well-being and safety of employees along with
increasing their productivity and satisfaction.
Another major ethical compliance is related with the inclusion of employees from all the
diversified background and culture (Kanter, 2019). Amazon emphasises its employees to be
authentic and bring their best aspects to the work place.
Giving equal opportunity to all its employees, irrespective of age, gender or race is
another major ethical compliance requirement at Amazon as presented by the management of the
company.
Hence, there are various values and ethical compliances which are portrayed by Amazon and its
management as key points of compliance which can’t be overruled.
However, in the present environment of Amazon, the Hierarchy and Bureaucracy Theory
by Weber can also be highlighted (Lima Resque and Le Page, 2019). The characteristics of
bureaucracy, as described by Weber mainly include a structured, highly formal and an
impersonal organization where the rules and regulations, principles, authority levels etc. are
clearly defined. These levels and communication lines or patterns cannot be broken. This is
similar to the pattern that is represented by Amazon. Despite their portrayal of the policy that
employees are the most important part of their organization; the real scenario shows
comparatively a much different pattern or culture. Here at Amazon, employees have to strictly
comply with the hierarchy levels and monitor the communication that takes place.
Public Policy and Legislation
Public policy are refers tos the system of laws, courses of actions, regulatory measures
and funding priorities by concerning a given topic by promulgated by governmental entity and its
representatives. Example of public policy are related to criminal justice, economic, culture and
society, environment, government operations etc. Amazon is using public policy in order to
address the problem over the long-term and regarding all the issue related to employees and
customer policy (Kodiyan, 2019). In addition to these legislations are related to preparing and
enacting of laws by state, local or national legislatures that are sometimes applied for municipal
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ordinances regarding rules and regulations for administrative agencies that can be passed in
exercise of delegated legislative functions.
Amazon has using the policy regarding corporate social responsibilities program for
communities at stakeholder that played significant role for influence consumer perception of
goods and services. The community interest are related to providing development support on the
basis of promoting education, environment conservation and healthcare.
On the basis of public policies Amazon has grown dynamically in order to enhance advocacy
before policy-maker at all level of government. Also, business interest and public issue are
broad, forward thinking which is driven by best customer also it is necessary to deep
understanding regarding international legislative and regulatory policy process (Polge and Torre,
2018). Chosen firm's team maintain and initiates relationship with key legislators, associations,
advocacy and regulators group are worldwide to support business and product goals.
Amazon has using the policy and legislation according to the laws of UK the code of
practices is supports the company on the basis of equality act 2010 which helps for
recommended the implementation and equal opportunity policy. By constructions the policy
there are ensured fair treatment that help for preventing from discrimination in order tos protect
the characteristics such ass religion, unlawful and tribunal. Employees can takes action regarding
unlawful activity perform by company so that law can defend from discrimination.
According to the employment right act 1996 helps the employees in order to give support
to employees by not specifying the procedure that can applies for disciplinary actions which is
deal with grievance (Oliveira and Fonseca, 2021. ). Then on the basis of code of practice on
disciplinary by recommending the employers introduce a policy by outlining the commitment in
order to fair disciplinary explaining their grievance by reporting procedures to the staff. Personal
data is related to managing the personal informations of employees with the help of general data
protection regulations (GDPR) by implementing the policy which is help for outlining the right
process of personal data and explain to the customer and staff.
As increasings the demand of public policy it has been analysed that government and
public take the action regarding environmental policies seriously by Amazon in order to follow
all the requirement also company has using the environment policy on the basis of making the
delivery bad which is environment friendly and attract customer for the same. Organizations
followed legislations act which are helps for developing the knowledge as well as it helps to
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providing legal and safety regulations by state or protocols on the basis of acre and medicine so
that employees can feel the safest workplace.
Amazon’s approach to address inequalities
Inequality issue is related to the increase in economic inclusion that are help for creating
higher income and decent work also it helps to enhance the social services and ensure for access
to social protection (Fagundes and Júnior, 2021). In order to facilitate safe migrations it is
necessary to use mobility and tackle irregular migration. According to sustainable development
goals aims for reducing by 2030 inequalities that is based on age, sex, income, sexual
orientation, disabilities, class, ethnicity, opportunity and religion in order to reduce the
economic and social inequalities at organizations is help for improving the sustainable and social
cohesion. Equality is not only related to society but also played important role at workplace or in
corporate sector. Every company has his own approaches which is necessary to adopt for amazon
some basic approach followed by company regarding empowering women and creating
opportunities for youth (Oliveira Filho and Schwerhoff, 2019). On the basis of Amazon Saheli
program the government bodies help together in order to assist and empower more than lakh
women entrepreneur in order to associate bys giving them opportunity for developing skills.
Amazon has using the approach for decent work in order to provide the fair income to
employees and also helps for guarantees as secure from employment and also providing safe
working conditions. Also, organization follows the policy which is related to providing them
financial reward in order to proportional by individual's input. The other criteria can be related to
take the account of providing equality for fair price.
Although, as portrayed by Amazon, there is no significant difference for women and men
regarding salary because company focus on providing equals opportunity that helps for
promoting the inequalities (Zabaniotou and Syrgiannis, 2020). However, this particular area has
raised a lot of complaints from the employees who claim that there exists a significant difference
between the wages not just on gender basis but also on colour and breed. Also, company
providing regular training and development which helps to ensure about groom their personality
by providing them training.
Another approach is regarding the building the asset for working families ins order to sue
the policies which encourages higher savings rates and lower cost of building the assets ins order
working and middle class household cans helps for providing economic security that is necessary
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for any company. The new programs also initiates for enrolling workers for retirement plan
which are help for providing saving credit in order to federal match for retirement savings that
helps for low income household. There are some policies which are necessary to adopt and also
it helps to take care of policies regarding discrete discrimination by not treating someone with a
protected characteristic as well (Lopes, de Freitas and Campos‐Silva, 2021.). Company has taken
the regarding indirect discrimination by putting rules and arrangement into place which apply to
everyone so that no one can take advantages for unfair means.
The hiring process of Amazons is depended on vacancy released by company but it is
also necessary to promote the equality by giving chance to women ass well ass men because it
only helps by promoting in equal manner. It is using the phrases like they rather than he or she so
it provides more clarity in order to work in better condition.
Evidence
Globalisation help Amazon in orders allowing customer for buy in mores than 25
currencies also it helps to provide more options in language so that it helps to providing better
process of shopping. This is the important way which helps for promoting different ways and
gives special attentions to employees. The delivery speed of products were increases ins orders
tos works mores ons that by providing more and betters option which need to attract customer. It
has been very long Amazon has globalized in order to provide online book store that attract
millions of people at online platforms and take advantages of it by finally global conglomerate
the business interest spanning an array of the industries (Norris, Michalski and Gibbs, 2018).
Modernity is helps the company by providing equal support in orders to maintain the
generations of technological innovation, governance and socio-economics. In order participating
in modernity it has been analysed that it is necessary to conceive for engaging the organizations
with society that help for collecting the knowledges regarding innovations and immediate
processors. Also, at the earlier time Amazon only provide online library buts after some time it
has expanded the market by promoting groceries and other market online that is one of the
biggest e-commerce platform in the world also in UK they have physical stores which are help
the consumer to directly buy the product from it.
On the basis of industrializations it has been stated that company has giving opportunities
to people in orders to promote the equality, Amazon has using the approach for decent work in
order to provide the fair income to employees and also helps for guarantees as secure from
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employment and also providing safe working conditions (Patterson, 2020). Also, organization
follows the policy which is related to providing them financial reward in order to proportional by
individual's input.
CONCLUSION
It has been concluded that Amazon has gained as one of the Big Five IT companies, and
regular awards it is winning, indicates the excellent growth chart showed by company. The
report concluded the main aim by analysed the sociological issues arising in the company and to
also identify how Amazon is responding to these issues. Further, study also discuss two different
forms i.e. aspects of social identity that are associated with Amazon and further, how they are
being addressed. The ethical practices at Amazon included provision of healthy, clean and safe
working places which are extremely necessary for the well-being and safety of employees along
with increasing their productivity and satisfaction. In the completion of entire report, various
theories such as Modernity, Trade Union theory etc. will also be incorporated into the research
drawing and presenting relevant insights. Moreover, Modernity is helped the company by
providing equal support in orders to maintain the generations of technological innovation,
governance and socio-economics. Also, organization followed the policy which is related to
providing them financial reward in order to proportional by individual's input.
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