Ethical Issues in the Car Industry: A Case Study of Aston Martin

Business Ethics
Report

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
PART 1............................................................................................................................................3
Main ethical issues in the car industry...................................................................................3
Relevant laws, codes and regulations that are affecting business conduct.............................4
PART 2............................................................................................................................................6
Case study of business............................................................................................................6
States values & ethical commitments.....................................................................................6
PART 3............................................................................................................................................8
Suggestions on regulations, codes and new laws...................................................................8
Consideration of Ethical theories ..........................................................................................9
Conclusion ...........................................................................................................................10
References ...........................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
The automotive industry of UK is a significant contributor of UK economy that is
assisting in generation of annual turnover of 77.5 pounds billion and providing employment to
814000 people. This industry represents 13 percent of UK total exported products. There has
been increasing the focus on car emission that is affecting the quality of air, demand of eco
friendly cars, hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles that lead to growth of alternative fuel vehicles
registration are growing. Aston Martin Lagonda Holdings plc is a British independent
manufacture of Luxury sports cars and grand tourers. Robert Bromford and Lionel Martin are the
founders of Aston Martin and it was founded in 1913.
PART 1
Main ethical issues in the car industry
There are certain ethical issues that are affecting the automotive industry of UK :
Security: With the changing technology the cyber security is one of the major concern
driving towards autonomy. 66 percent of the automotive brands are concern with addressing of
different security issues that are associated with connected cars. In case of autonomous vehicles
there has to be patches that have to be is facing cyber attacks. The vehicles have to be protected
from life threatening hacks.
Technology and privacy: The development in the technological security is an important
concept which needs to be addressed. Electronic surveillance ensure productivity and efficiency
if it cross the line or raises difficulties. Internet browser history and emails in the company can
legally monitor the company. It has been suggested that 70% automotive industries have
connections with internet 40% employers track the contents and 40% stores of car industry
review the file as well as monitor email. In relation with Aston Martin, technological issue arises
that there is a need to properly and with more efficiently trained their employees so that the
employees get to know about the new advancement technologies. Also employees of Aston
Martin should examine their privacy policy to see hoe the employees are being monitored and
considered if it can easily reflect a record of job performance.
Health and safety: This component is measured as the most significant and an important
ethical issues which suggested that in the automotive industry, employees and staff members die

from work related diseases and occupational diseases. According to the healths afety and
occupation measure Aston Martin suggested that there is a need of protection after falling the
company, Hazard communications which includes harmful chemicals, scaffolding, respiratory
protection, lockout and tag out which includes controlling of the hazardous energy such as soil
and gas, powered industrial trucks including safety requirements, machine guarding and
electrical general equipments. These all are the needed components that needs to be taken into
the consideration in this ethical issue. Also, it seems out to be the most important ethical issues
which needs regular verification for every individual of the company.
Harassment and discrimination: This ethical issue also suggested out to be the most
important concern that needs to be taken into the consideration. In every business, discrimination
is one of the factor that needs to be face by every employee. In relation with Aston Martin,
employees sometimes suffered from the bad politics in terms of promotion and other
modifications. Also there are high chances of harassment taken place in the work organisation
with the female employee. It needs to suggested that harassment can be possible in terms of
workplace.
Social media: The widespread nature of social media has made it a factor in employee
conduct online and offline business. Nowadays there is great power of social media which has
been suggested that there are some information or sources which needs to be addressed on
websites. It is a good source of information but sometimes people majorly focuses on websites
rather than visiting the stores. It can be also suggested that apart from websites, the employees of
the company post pictures on their social media and promote things on their personal level but it
is a major concern for the ethical issue. The line is complicated because employees onilne
activities are marked as disloyalty towards the company.
Relevant laws, codes and regulations that are affecting business conduct
Relevant laws, regulations and codes are important for the business to protect the
company. The rules and regulations helps business employees to understand what is the
expectation from them and certain punishments if they break the rules.
Aston Martin Lagonda Holding plc is one of the most successful sport car manufacture
company. Some relevant laws and regulations attained by the Aston Martin are mentioned
below: