Ethics and Sustainability in Business-Free-Samples for Students

Question: Analyse the Concept and theories of Corporate Social Responsibility and how it relates to Ethical Business Practices. Answer: Introduction The conflict diamonds, which are popularly also known as blood diamonds are used mostly by the rebel activists so that it can fund the civil wars that are currently taking, place in large parts of Africa. The rise in the funding have resulted in the displacement and death of millions of people, as terrorist groups such as Al-Qaeda finances most of the activities and indulge in money-laundering purposes (Smillie 2016). Figure 1: Conflict Diamonds (Source: Jakobi 2013) In the recent times, the practice is still going strong due to major conflicts that are still raging on some parts of the African continent. Parts like Ivory Coast, which is still under the rebels, are being mined for the diamonds so that it can be smuggled in the neighboring countries to be provided in the international markets. The Kimberley Process that was set up by the United Nations (UN) tries in stopping the trade by the illegal smuggling of these diamonds have increased and gained its access in Ghana from where it is sold in the international market (Jakobi 2013). Impact on stakeholders The stakeholders are the groups or the organizations that influences in an indirect or direct manner in the activities of the company. The conflict diamonds consist of variety of stakeholders and have a huge impact on the sale of the product. Multi-stakeholder policy (Kimberley Process) I am of the opinion that the Kimberley Process that was started to stop the trading process of the conflict diamonds was a huge failure by the United Nations. The process consist of various companies and 74 governments in Africa who have collaborated together in stopping the annihilation of the local people due to the illegal mining activities of diamonds (Cullen 2013). The research that I carried out emphasized that government soldiers in 2008 had to be deployed in the Marange diamond field so that the new order can be imposed, which will stop the merciless killing but in reality it was seen than more than 200 deaths took place along with torture and beating. From the De Beers controversy, I have come to the opinion that the process was to stop the problem by setting better standards, monitoring the process and verifying the exports that were being made but none of these activities were done, which led to the failure of it. Microsoft and Google had joined hands in developing a Globa l Network Initiative (GNI), which was done so that the freedom of expression along with the privacy of the internet can be protected (Davidson 2016). Figure 2: Kimberley Process (Source: Cullen 2013) Companies The research carried out by me showed that many of the international brands along with the US jewellery companies are dealing with conflict diamonds that has been triggering the violence and the civil wars in the African continent. International brands such as Cartier, Harry Winston and Bulgari could not provide a positive response in the Global Witness conference, which provided a proper hint that they were indulging in purchasing these diamonds. The jewellery chains such as Littman Jewelers, Bloomingdales and Saks Fifth Avenue also could not make the cut (Williams 2016). Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) The Kimberley process was done with the help of many NGOs so that it can help in looking after the impoverished population that was forced to work in the coal fields to exploit diamonds. On reviewing the report published by Amnesty International, I found that the yearly trade of diamonds is around $7 billion on a global scale and it constitutes of the conflict diamonds as well. To put an end to this, the NGOs launched campaign in the Sierra Leone region where the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) were amputating body parts of the victims, which constituted of children as well (Berman et al. 2017). Figure 3: Brutality towards local communities (Source: Williams 2016) Main issues The major issue that is present with conflict diamonds is that it is violating the human rights based on which the work has to be done. The rise in the funding has led to the serious civil wars in the African continent despite the active participation from the media. I feel that the rise in the conflict zones in Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone is due to the fact that the rebels want to gain control over the natural resources that consists of minerals, wood and oil (Bieri 2016). Figure 4: Mass killings by RUF in Sierra Leone (Source: Bieri 2016) The people who are mining in those areas are given unfair wages that is less that a dollar per day. They are not provided any training and are deprived from the important tools as well. Apart from these things, they are kept in unhygienic conditions, which give rise to vector-borne diseases such as malaria as well as HIV. Most of the mining communities are exploited through the mining practices, which gives rise to the lack in fundamental provisions such as clean drinking water among the people and other proper sanitation networks (Lorenz-Carl and Rempe 2016). Legislation These are the set of rules that are laid down so that it can help in reducing the level of atrocities that are met out to the people by placing a governing body along with policies and procedures. Diamond Tagging In my opinion, the use of laser and ion beam technology will help in inscribing the information on the diamonds by applying bar codes that are microscopic in nature. This will help in tracking and registering of the stones so that the country of origin can be identified. The laser technology is used only for cutting the diamonds whereas I think this can help in bringing revolutionary changes in the world of diamonds (Williams 2016). Recommendations I recommend that the use of conflict diamonds has to be stopped so that it can reduce the negative impacts that are taking place on the numerous people by the rebels. The funding that is reaching these organizations are exhibiting the purpose of money-laundering, which has given more power to the rebels in exploiting the human resources that is present in those areas. Conclusion Thus, it can be concluded that the strong motive of the government may lead to the fall of these rebels who are creating nuisance in the African continent. The NGOs have to work in collaboration with the government so that proper steps can be taken in curbing down the industries that are dealing with these types of diamonds along with the laser tagging of the products, which needs to be mandatory for the mining companies. Reference List Berman, N., Couttenier, M., Rohner, D. and Thoenig, M., 2017. This mine is mine! How minerals fuel conflicts in Africa.American Economic Review,107(6), pp.1564-1610. Bieri, F., 2016.From blood diamonds to the Kimberley Process: How NGOs cleaned up the global diamond industry. Routledge. Cullen, H., 2013. Is there a future for the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme for conflict diamonds.Macquarie LJ,12, p.61. Davidson, N., 2016. The lion that didnt roar: can the Kimberley Process stop the blood diamonds trade?. Jakobi, A.P., 2013. Governing war economies: Conflict diamonds and the Kimberley Process. InThe Transnational Governance of Violence and Crime(pp. 84-105). Palgrave Macmillan UK. Lorenz-Carl, U. and Rempe, M., 2016.Mapping agency: comparing regionalisms in Africa. Routledge. Smillie, I., 2016. Blood diamonds: Canada, Africa and some object lessons in global governance.CanadaAfrica Relations: Looking Back, Looking Ahead. Williams, P.D., 2016.War and conflict in Africa. John Wiley Sons.