Question

International Marketing

Sometimes, in developing countries, life may take precedent over ethics. The U.S., in an effort to reduce pollutants and support a healthy lifestyle for its people, banned many pesticides deemed harmful or polluting. Yet other nations have not banned these same pesticides. These pesticides are affordable and in many ways beneficial for poorer nations. When a nation does not have enough food to sustain its people, is it unfair to ask them to terminate the use of harmful pesticides and let people starve? As an international marketer for a pesticide company on the brink of bankruptcy, you are faced with ethical dilemmas. Your pesticides have recently been banned in the U.S., considered harmful to human health. Your company president tells you to market these banned products to other nations. You have read the reports, and you feel that these products may be lethal. Your president tells you that lesser-developed countries need these products and that it is not illegal to sell them there. Additionally, he informs you that without these sales, your employment with this company will be terminated, as the company will have to file bankruptcy.

Respond to the following:

•Identify the ethical issues associated with this situation.

•Describe the ethical behaviors that may be represented by your employer (who without immediate sales will likely need to file bankruptcy), the government of the lesser-developed country (who may experience famine in the years to come without your economical pesticide), and the people of the region (who may be injured or killed by your products).

•Would you market these pesticides to lesser-developed countries? Support your decision with rationale and resources.