This Research paper reports on the ethics of BMW through its history starting from 1916 to present time of 2013. It shows the progression of BMW’s ethical dilemmas of having prisoners of war and concentration camp workers, allegation of bribery, to its racial discrimination. And the changes that where implemented that led them to be on Ethisphere Institute's top 100 list of the World's Most Ethical Companies for 2009. Such changes such as new management, changing conduct codes, improving environmental awareness, and ethics programs to insure no reoccurring incidents.
Bayerische Flugzeugwerke Werke (BFW) was founded on March 7th, 1916. At this time BFW was making parts for trains and retro-fitting planes with their revolutionary engines. By the 1922 due to war they were no longer allowed to produce such engines. In 1922 Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) acquired the BFW plant. Since its founding in 1916 BMW has been diligently working to make itself one of the premier motor cars in the world. Having such a significant history in the automotive world BMW has had to watch every step with precision, but not always with honorable ethics in mind, having been in line with Nazi’s during World War II, to money scandals in current years. What changes through all this corruption and mishap made BMW to make Ethisphere Institute's top 100 list of the World's Most Ethical Companies for 2009.
Günther Quandt who before WWI gained substantial amounts of BMW stock, and became ruling stock holder of BMW. Later Günther became head of the company. In 1910 Günther had a son Herbert, who was Co head with Günther. Günther and Herbert in the late 1920’s built motorcycles, plane engines, and where just starting to produce its legendary cars. With producti...
... middle of paper ...
...6), 11-18. doi:10.1108/10878571111176583
• Fiona Govan (29 Sep 2011). BMW Dynasty Breaks Silence over Nazi Past. The Telegraph. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-two/8796157/BMW-dynasty-breaks-silence-over-Nazi-past.html
• Stamoulakis, D., & Bridwell, L. (2009). BMW's Approach to Global Warming and Environmental Management: Corporate Social Responsibility or Greenwashing?. Competition Forum, 7(1), 98-106.
• McElhaney, K. A., Toffel, M. W., & Hill, N. (2004). Designing a Sustainability Management System at BMW Group: The Designworks/USA Case Study. Greener Management International, (46), 103-116.
• Hamprecht, H. (2012). A crown prince emerges on BMW's board. Automotive News, 86(6508), 26.
• Feds sue BMW in hiring case. (2013). Automotive News, 87(6573), 35.
• Greenwald, J. (2013). Background check policy under fire from AGs. Business Insurance, 47(17), 29.
For decades, the Bavarian Motor Works automotive company, more commonly known as BMW, has been an icon in European luxury automobiles. It has done an extraordinary job in setting the standard for other manufacturers from Europe, Japan, and the United States auto markets. But what keeps the customer pleased with the BMW brand is not only its vehicles superb handling and performance, but its ability to inject a certain character into the automobiles themselves. This is achieved by the use of certain design elements that can be traced through history to the earliest of the BMW models. These elements include: the aerodynamic body style of the cars and sport utility vehicles, the Hofmeister Kink which is a characteristic that involves design of rear seat windows, the quadruple headlight configuration, and the famous kidney grille that is tucked into the front bumper giving the car an all-around exclusive exterior style.
When we consider the case of the Ford Pinto, and its relative controversy, through the varied scope of ethical viewpoints, the results might surprise us. From a personal standpoint, as a consumer, the idea of selling a vehicle to the masses with such a potentially devastating flaw is completely unethical. When we consider the case from other directions and other ethical viewpoints, however, it makes it clear that often ethics are a matter of perspective and philosophy. It’s also clear that there are cases where more information will muddy the waters, rather than clear them.
Kiley, David. Driven: Inside BMW, the Most Admired Car Company in the World. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley, 2004. Print.
No technology has had a greater impact on the American life than the automobile. Where we live, how we work, and how we travel, what our landscape looks like, our environment have all been shaped by the automobile. There isn’t a better place that demonstrates the social, geographic, and political changes brought by the industry than Detroit, the motor city. Detroit was situated to be a center of the American automobile industry. All of the material that was needed to build was easily accessible to the city by the great lakes waterways and by rail. The automobile industry helped people with their everyday lives and changed the way people saw the world.
In the Fall of 2015, Volkswagen was accused and found guilty of cheating on emissions tests that were put in place by the United States government in order to regulate the amount of harmful gases released when driving vehicles. In the aftermath of the scandal, their CEO Martin Winterkorn was replaced by Matthias Muller who found himself in need of drastically changing the corporate culture in order for VW to once again be a reputable automobile manufacturer. In order to understand why the scandal occurred in the first place an analysis of the historical culture that had dominated the company until recently. Volkswagen was established by the Nazi’s with help from Ferdinand Porsche and the majority of the company continues to be held by his descendants. Nazi Germany is infamously known to have been extremely authoritarian with orders being strictly followed coupled with a unparalleled sense of self-righteousness. This culture inevitably influenced how VW operated and led to it’s CEOs demanding perfection, setting
Another strategy used by BMW to differentiate itself from other automakers in the market is the proactive usage of technology and innovativeness in the development of products. From the early 1990’s, BMW has been on the forefront of incorporating technology in its designs in line with the technological advances of the modern world. This has led to the creation of inventive products. The uniqueness of these auto products put BMW in a position of advantage. The development of the hydrogen car as early as 2000 was an indicator of the company’s innovative strategy. In addition, the company also presents itself as environment friendly creating a whole range of vehicles in this category. This is a differentiation strategy meant to boost the company’s image and reputation amongst customers. In addition, this gives the environment conscious customers a variety of products to choose from giving BMW an upper hand in the industry.
The standards of ethics serve as guidelines for the conduct of individuals and businesses alike. Uzi Nissan acted h...
Ethical standards can be defined as a set of rules, principles, and regulations that when followed, will promote values such as fairness, kindness, good behavior, and trust. They are codes of conduct that everyone lives by (Eastman, 2001). For example, many industries and businesses have developed their own set of ethical standards that appears to be meaningful to their organization. However, what happens when their ethical standards are violated knowingly? What impact does it have to those affected on such violation? The following example clearly violates the ethical standard that the company should have followed. Their lack of conscience to the safety of the buying public is unethical. They determined at the time that money was their priority instead of the concern for human life and safety. When it comes to manufacturing any products, it should be rest assured that they are built with a seal of quality. Therefore, building and selling an unsafe car is completely unethical.
BMW- differentiation strategy, high price, breadth of product line is moderate, known for their cars being in the shop constantly and high maintenance bills.
General Motors was build in 1892 by an R. Olds who created the Oldsmobile his vision was to create horseless carriages. He started the automobile factory in Detroit and was soon followed by others in the industry, and he and several others decided to create amalgamation of over different companies. The new automobile entities became known as General Motors. Each new partner brought in his brand as they began consolidating (general Motors ,2014).
Market Segmentation, Positioning and targeting for BMW 1.1 Introduction This report aims to examine the market segmentation, positioning and targeting of BMW (automobile company). BMW will be examined giving information about the company and where it is now and any recommendations that we feel are appropriate. 1.2 BMW Company Profile BMW was formed in 1917, from the merger of two small aero engine makers. Their famous blue and white symbol stems from the colours of the Bavarian Luftwaffe and is said to resemble the view of the one of their plane through a propeller. BMW is renowned for its sporty, sophisticated & luxury image which has been built up since the 1970's with many motor sport victories ranging from Touring Car to Formula 1.
Toyota issues in automotive industry resulted from a lack of moral and ethical obligations to loyal customers. In fact, people encounter ethics at one time or another. A business expectation is to act in manner upholding society values. According to authors Trevino and Nelson, (2004) states, “a set of moral principals or values, or the principals, norm, and standards of conduct governing a group or individual.” On the other hand, three ethical criteria determined in this discussion like obligation, moral ideas, and consequences which this article highlights an ethical dilemma with automobiles makers.
This task focused on ethical absolutism, which states actions, can be either right or wrong. (Seaquist, 2012) This practice is based on an objective moral code. This ethical standard is not based on the situation or perspectives in which the actions come up but goes in all areas. Ethical absolutism has its focal points in religious doctrines that distinguish right and wrong actions.
Without doubt the XXI century has changed our priorities, especially when it comes to the way we do business. Popular sustainable business models, as advertised in the media, have evolved into much more than a moral obligation or an external requirement to generate money. Essentially, are forcing companies to reinvent the systems and approaches with which they generate value and profitability to the company.
Audi, one of Germany’s first automobile producers, has been designing and building cars since August Horch, its founder, completed his first car in 1901. Over the years following, a series of innovations and mergers have led Audi to the position it is in today. Audi’s subsidiaries include companies to facilitate international operations, part manufacturers, a vehicle customization company, a technology research company, and Lamborghini Corp, a successful sports car manufacturer. Audi’s current developments include its holding the EU Seal of Environmental Protection, and a number of technological advancements, including new car designs and a “seeing car” technology that has been nominated for the German Future award for Technology and Innovation.