We would imagine that corporations and businesses in today’s world would uphold social and moral standards but that isn’t always carried through. Some corporations emphasize their involvement in the community, dedication to reliable products, and social responsibility. The most recent blunder in the media happened approximately 250 miles southeast of Houston, in 4,132 feet of water on the Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig.
After the rig had caught fire, 13 crew members abandoned the rig and were rescued with no major injuries. The same cannot be said about the 11 crew members that lost their lives in April 2009. The break in the pipe released oil into the gulf destroying eco-systems, harming wildlife, and drastically halting the surrounding local fishing industry.
A disaster like the Deepwater Horizon rig cost millions of dollars and angered many around the globe. This sort of action, although not foreseen, was irresponsible on BP’s behalf who managed the rig. The irresponsibility wasn’t related to the disaster itself, but by the response of former BP CEO Tony Hayward on the event. It seemed that his interests were ultimately with the rig and BP, not with the environment it was destroying.
People were outraged by the lack of social sympathy shown and quickly voiced their outrage. Hayward, as of October 1st 2010, will no longer be the CEO of BP and some credit this happening to Hayward’s irresponsibility. This is a perfect example of how corporate irresponsibility can be found in one’s negligent actions or reactions and not always from defective or harmful products on the market.
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