Business Ethics in the Automotive Sector: A Case Study of Aston Martin

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of business ethics within the automotive industry, with a specific focus on Aston Martin. It begins with an introduction to business ethics and its significance, followed by an examination of the main ethical issues affecting the car industry, such as security, technology and privacy, health and safety, harassment and discrimination, and social media. The report then delves into relevant laws, codes, and regulations impacting business conduct, including vehicle registration, insurance, environmental standards, and various international codes like IATF16949, ISO9001, and ISO 45001. Part 2 presents a case study of Aston Martin, highlighting corporate governance issues and ethical commitments. The report concludes with suggestions for regulations, codes, and new laws, along with a consideration of ethical theories. The report emphasizes the importance of ethical conduct and regulatory compliance within the automotive sector, using Aston Martin as a key example to illustrate the practical implications of these concepts.

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.....................5
PART 2............................................................................................................................................7
Case study of business..........................................................................................................7
States values & ethical commitments.................................................................................7
PART 3............................................................................................................................................8
Suggestions on regulations, codes and new laws................................................................8
Consideration of Ethical theories........................................................................................9
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................9
References............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Business ethics can be defined as a code of conduct rules and regulations which are
formulated by the business organisation in order to perform the functions as well as reduced the
unethical practices (Dierksmeier and Seele, 2018). Business ethics act as an essential part of
business environment where it make it essential for every organisation to perform its functions
within a ethical manner so that it can achieve the objectives in an appropriate way . The
automotive industry of UK is a main part of UK industry as well as economy which help in
performing different kind of functions. The annual turnover of automobile motive industry
within UK is around 77.5 billion pounds. It is currently employing more than 900000 people
which act as a huge amount. The industry presents 30% of the UK total exported products. In
context of the current report the chosen organisation is Aston martin. It is a global performing
organisation which acts as a British independent manufacturer of luxury sports cars and various
other ii automobiles. Organisation was founded in 1913 by Robert and Leon martin. In context of
the present report it contained discussion about the ethical issues within the car industry fall stop
along with this there is also discussion about 11 laws codes and regulations which has to be
followed by the industry in order to achieve the objectives. The part ii of this report will discuss
different state values and ethical commitment. There is also discussion about some ethical
considered controversies. In end of this report there is discussion about some suggestions on the
regulation related to courts and laws within the industry which can be followed which also
consist discussion about ethical theories.
PART 1
Main ethical issues in the car industry
There are certain ethical issues that are affecting the automotive industry of UK :
Security: Security actors in major part of every organisation which include changing
technology related to the cyber security. Is the main concern for automotive industry where 66%
of automotive brands are related to addressing the different security issues within the market? In
context of Aston Martin organisation is also facing a challenge of related to security and its
ethical issues. It is necessary for the organisation to protect the vehicles from Life threatening
hacks which can impact on the individual in the market (Brenkert, 2019).

Technology and privacy: The development of technology security is important concept to
the organisation which is needed to be address in order to perform the functions in an effective
manner. It is identified that electronic surveillance and sure productivity and efficiency in order
to improve the functioning of organisation. It is also identified that internet browser history and
email within the company can used in legally and unethically by the different individuals where
it is necessary for the manager to monitor these things first it is also identified that most of the
automotive industry have connection with the internet where they keep record of employees as
well as difficult different contents which can be used for unethical practices. It is also identified
that Aston Martin facing these technological issues which impacting on the organisational
performance and efficiency within the market here it is needed to use trained employees so that it
can get knowledge about the technological advancement advancements. Within the industry
where it is working.
Health and safety: This is a component which is related to importance of ethical issues
which will be used under the automotive industry. It include employees and staff members which
are performing their functions and face difficulties while performing them fall stop according to
the health and safety regulations there are a number of functions which are performed by the
Aston Martin in order to provide safe and healthy working environment to the individuals which
are working within the firm. It is identified by the management of the organisation that there are
number of factors which act on the organisation functions in . these functions are related to
hazardous communication which include harmful chemicals respiratory protection log coutts and
other systems which impact on the organisation and lead to dissatisfaction. These all are needed
to the components that must be considered in order to identify the functioning and check the
ethical issues. A manager can use appropriate system which will create an ethical environment as
well as provide benefits to the individuals which are working under the health and safety
systems.
Harassment and discrimination: This is the major ethical issue which is faced by most
of the organisation within the business environment. It is identified that there are a number of
functions which has to be performed by the management in order to reduce the harassment and
discrimination. In context of Aston Martin it is identified that there are number of employees
working within the organisation which are suffering from the bad politics as well as issues
related to the harassment and discrimination. It is also identified that these cases are increasing

continuously which making discomfort for the female employees working at particular jobs. It is
also identified that harassment case can be reduced by the direct involvement of management as
well as using appropriate ethical policies (Moriarty, 2019).
Social media: One more factor which has to be considered by the organisation in order to
achieve the objectives related to the use of social media factors. Under this employees are needed
to conduct the online and offline business functions where they can perform their responsibilities
according to the requirements. It is identified that in current time the great power of social media
which impacting on the organisation will leads to address the number of issues and websites. It is
also identified that information from different sources will focus on website rather than visiting
the stores. Here organisation can also use and ethical code of conduct their Aston Martin can
promote the products and services by the use of social media platforms for stop the major ethical
issue which has faced by the organisation is related to providing appropriate content which is
useful to the customer as well as reduce the negative implications of organisation towards the
business environment.
Relevant laws, codes and regulations that are affecting business conduct
There are a number of rules and regulations which are formulated by the various legal
authorities as well as business organisation in order to promote the rights of individuals as well
as use ethical practices. These rules and regulations are helpful in managing the functions as well
as conducting the business in an appropriate manner so that organisation can easily perform its
function within the industry where it is working. In context of Aston Martin organisation is
holding a separate position within the market where it is known for its appropriate working as
well as ethical conduct. This is helpful to the organisation in improving its image as well as
performing the number of functions which can be used in accordance with the requirement of
current business time.
Registration of vehicle: This is the primary act which is covered under this industry in
order to perform the function as well as manage this function appropriately false it is also
identified that every vehicle is required to be registered under the system of vehicle registration
certificate. A vehicle registration certificate can be defined as system which provides identity to
the vehicle where it is registered under the name of vehicle keeper who has a licence to operate
that vehicle. This is necessary within automobile industry in order to provide identity to the

vehicle as well as make it registered under the legal authorities. This is an important function
which required to pay attention according to the organisational performance.
Insurance: Motor insurance is a compulsory system within the environment of UK
where it is essential for every individual to get insurance of their vehicles so that they can protect
any kind of action against the third party damage. Government of UK is publishing number of
articles as well as rules and regulations in order to prevent damages caused by accident of two
vehicles. Organisation is also promoting electric vehicles where are new insurance policies are
introduced to manage the rules and regulation and conduct the business activities and ethical
manner.
Environmental standards: these are also codes of conduct which has to be followed by
the vehicle manufacturing organisation such as Aston Martin. This is because European unit
limits the exhaust of emission of hydrocarbon nitrogen oxide and various other harmful gases
within the environment. This measure is taken to reduce the carbon emission from the side of
UK in order to save the business as well as natural environment. In context to this there are a
number of environmental standards which has to be followed by the car manufacturers to
promote their products within the market and perform the function in an appropriate way
(Remišová, Lašáková and Kirchmayer, 2019).
Chemical: it is also identified that government is implementing number of norms related
to chemical used within the car manufacturing industry. This is because there are different
chemicals which are used by the manufacture which can harm the health and life of individual
home human who operate that vehicle. In order to manage this this formality government is
using different kind of rules and regulations to restrict the use of chemicals as well as make it
licensed so that unnecessary use of these chemicals can be avoided.
National and international codes of business ethics
IATF16949: In context of automobile industry it is identified that organisation
performing under these industry require a reliable products and services which are helpful to the
form and continuously improving the products as well as meeting the expectations of the
customer in order to perform the functions in a regulatory way. This is regulatory authorities
which provide guidance to the Aston Martin in order to obtain the certificate of different courts
which are required to be printed on various parts of their automobiles.

ISO9001: It is the international code of conduct which is related to the automobile industry
and is helpful in improving the satisfaction of customer by providing them detail of every part
which is installed under the automobile vehicle. This is in system which is related to operating
the cost managing the risk as well as appropriate use of legal compliances so that organisation
can perform its function and achieve business results (Soni, 2020).
ISO 45001: this is also an international standard which provide a code of conduct to the
automotive manufacturing industry where they can easily assistance to their workers as well as
visit their health related functions so that healthy working environment can be established for
stop this could also help Aston Martin controlling and estimating the different functions where it
can improve its functioning and reduce the injuries in the chances of death within the
organisation in context of employees while performing the working system..
PART 2
Case study of business
Due to improper corporate governance, Aston Martin faces number of problems in the
market in the year 2018. These are also impacted on the governance of organisation where
organisation fault in number of laws and regulations with the employees within the organisation.
company also get lost sweets from different stakeholders because of misconduct as well as
defame its Goodwill within the market falls in this Aston Martin is not able to manufacture any
sports car in 12 months.
States values & ethical commitments
It is essential for every organisation to maintain good corporate governance which will
help the organisation in maintaining the functions as well as bring positivity within the
organisation and functioning. It also ensure ethical commitment which help in maintaining the
value and achieving the necessary objectives. Is identified that corporate governance is helpful to
the Aston Martin in managing different functions as well as improving its image within the
market align the stakeholders. In order to maintain the corporate governance as well as perform
functions in ethical manner there are a number of functions which can be followed by Aston
Martin. Some of these functions are discussed below.
Well maintained environment: One of the core feature of using ethical and corporate
governance is related to maintaining the environment within the organisation. Good corporate

governance always help in performing functions as well as bring effectiveness within different
departments where organisation can achieve the objectives in an appropriate way.
Policy management: Policy management is back feature which is related to formulation
of different policies and procedures in order to improve the corporate governance. It is helpful to
the organisation and rolling the function and achieving better results.
Supply chain: supply chain is also part of metal corporate governance as by using appropriate
system of ethical corporate governance organisation can ensure better supply chain management.
This is because it can easily formulate channels as well as perform its function according to the
requirements (McNamara, Smith and Murphy-Hill, 2018).
Risk management: Risk management is that factor which is related to managing
different risk which is associated with performing the functions. In context to this manager can
easily maintained risk within the Aston Martin by using appropriate corporate governance
structure. Because it helps in identifying external internal factors which will shape the risk
factors within the organisation and help in achieving objectives.
Ethical controversies
There are a number of ethical controversies which are face by Aston Martin which are
related to the cash flow issues. Aston Martin is a British sports car manufacturer which faces of
financial misconduct in 2019. This result in in negative flow of cash within the organisation as
well as disappointed its stakeholders because of improper balance sheet and cash flow statement.
one bottle controversies which on face by Aston Martin is related to leak of its products prices as
well as designs because of employees within the organisation. Sketches are also League from the
organisation.
PART 3
Suggestions on regulations, codes and new laws
There are a number of suggestions regulations in context of Aston Martin which can be
followed by the organisation. Some of these are discussed below:
Code for soft governance regulation: it includes all those political behaviour which are
related to the organisation. Under this Aston Martin can maintain an appropriate behaviour
within the organisation which helps in boosting the personal ethics and values of different

individuals so that organisation can formulate an effective structure where soft governance can
be initiated.
Maintaining friendly environment within company at international and national
level: Under this Aston Martin can maintain an appropriate environment where organisation can
follow at different courts regulations so that it can easily maintain an environment with support
development. Here it gets address different corporate governance classifications which help in
improving organisational performance as well as maintaining appropriate communication.
Accountability: Accountability is also important factor which is suggested to the
organisation where it can set an appropriate code of conduct in order to maintain the
accountability of different individuals. This will help Aston Martin in representing different
individuals according to their system where are fair and compulsive assessment must be
maintained to acquire the corporate position within the market and perform the function
appropriately. It will suggested that organisation can improve its accountability and bring
automotive industry access to the existence so that it can manage risk as well as established
control system in order to achieve the growth (Vachhani, 2020).
Consideration of Ethical theories
There are different types of theories which can be followed by the organisation in order to
maintain the good corporate governance as well as achieve ethical system in within Aston
Martin. These theories are discussed below:
Deontology: Under this theory it suggests that people and employee within the
organisation have to clearly understand their ethical functions. It states that every individual has
its all obligation within the organisation so that it can fulfil the work in an ethical manner and
provide organisation appropriate contribution.
Unitarianism: It is death ethical theory which is based on the ability of different
individual in context of predicting various consequences of action field staff is helpful in
achievement at legal issues as well as maximum return from different functions of individuals.
Both of these theories can be implemented by the organisation in order to solve the ethical issues
and perform the function in an appropriate manner so that organisation can achieve while
working on different factors.

CONCLUSION
It can be concluded from the above mentioned information that there are various factors
which can be used by the organisation in order to achieve its objectives. It is also identified that
at explain important role with the functioning of aston martin. There are a number of
controversies which can be solved by the use of appropriate ethical code of conduct and
managing the function in accordance with the needs and requirements of current business
environment. This will also help your organisation in performing its function and boosting the
performance within the market where it is trading. There are a number of factors which has to be
considered by the organisation in order to formulating effective code of conduct so that it can
operate within the environment as well as achieve the profitability levels but considering
employees benefits.

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